top of page
acupuncture banner.jpg

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the diagnosis of a problem using Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) and treating the diagnosed problems by placing needles at specific anatomic location (acupuncture points). This can only be performed by a licensed veterinarian.

Acupuncture works by stimulating the body’s systems and initiating natural healing to take place by bringing attention to the problem, or by resetting the nervous system to relieve pain. Acupuncture stimulates the body via nociceptive fibers that then cause a response locally and systemically at the cellular and spinal cord level. There are chemical changes initiated by needle placement both at the local level and at a measurable level in the spinal cord to allow healing and relief.

Acupuncture treatments can be used in conjunction with traditional veterinary medicine for optimizing horse performance, providing an additional treatment modality for internal medicine problems, and relieving pain.

Equine veterinary acupuncture can be used for:

  • Musculoskeletal pain relief (ex. back pain)

  • Acute laminitis treatment

  • Reduced performance due to stiffness

  • Maintenance of appetite in older horses

  • Reduce respiratory rate and effort in horses with heaves or asthma

  • Speed the healing of wounds

Dr. Valerie Pflughoeft
IVAS-Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture
IVAS-logo-Spelled-Out-Clear.png
moxa.png
bottom of page