Acupuncture FAQ’s

What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the practice of placing small gauge needles on defined pathways or meridians on the body to manipulate the flow of Qi energy and blood in order to promote healing. 

What kinds of problems can be treated with acupuncture?
Almost any condition can be treated with acupuncture, but among the most common uses in veterinary practice are for pain management and degenerative disease in geriatric animals (arthritis/degenerative joint disease); allergic dermatitis; anxiety; and seizures.

How do I know if my pet is a good candidate for acupuncture?
If you are interested in acupuncture treatment for your pet, please ask at your next appointment! If Dr. Kimi thinks your pet might benefit from an acupuncture treatment or series of treatments when seeing your pet, she will include it in her treatment plan or make it part of her recommendations for the care of your pet. 

Will the needles hurt my pet? What if my pet doesn’t tolerate needles? 
The needles used for acupuncture treatments are of a smaller gauge than those used for vaccinations, so most pets tolerate them well. Dr. Kimi is sensitive to any reactions seen while placing a needle, and if a point selected as part of the treatment plans seems too sensitive, the needle will be removed and an alternative point selected. Alternatively, pressure, moxa, or cold-laser can be used to stimulate acupuncture points if the pet is too sensitive for needles initially. 

How often will my pet need treatment?
Acupuncture effects are typically cumulative and initial treatment sessions will be more frequent. As the pet’s condition improves, treatment sessions can be spaced out. 

Are there any side effects?
There are minimal side effects associated with acupuncture. Some pets may seem exhausted for the 24 hours post treatment and some pets respond by getting “worse” the day after treatment before improving. Very rarely (based on reports in humans), an infection develops due to needling. Overall, acupuncture is considered a very safe alternative therapy.