Alternative treatment methods have slowly gained popularity in the past few years. It is difficult for many pet owners to accept an alternative treatment if they don’t know much about or don’t fully understand how it works. Many pet owners are skeptical of such treatments such as chiropractic or acupuncture simply because they have never been exposed to these types of alternative medicine.
I have to admit that I am usually skeptical of any new medicines or other treatment methods unless I have a chance to see the results myself. Typically, I don’t purchase and try new medications when they first become available just because the pharmaceutical company claims it is an amazing new medicine.
I can’t count the number of times that I have witnessed some kind of negative issue regarding a new medication after it has been on the market for a while despite the manufacturer’s claims. Therefore, I choose to be cautious and observe the results of a new medication for a while before trying the medicine in my own practice.
For me, seeing is believing. The first time I saw acupuncture performed on one of my patients, I was astonished at the results. I had been treating a client’s cat for some type of illness and the cat would not eat despite being treated with conventional medicine. A veterinarian acupuncturist performed her acupuncture treatment on the cat and within seconds the cat started eating!
I was extremely impressed by the obvious results of the acupuncture treatment. Consequently, since I know how well acupuncture can help certain patients, I routinely refer many of my patients for acupuncture. Certainly, any patient that does not seem to be responding to medications is considered for acupuncture. Also, there are many situations or conditions that benefit from acupuncture in addition to conventional medications.
Now, since I am a true believer in acupuncture, I have a veterinarian that is a certified acupuncturist available on a regular basis to treat some of my patients. I am constantly amazed by how well it works and I have become more aware of all the different conditions that may respond to acupuncture treatment.
Additionally, we don’t have to worry or be concerned about a placebo effect. With people, sometimes if they think something will work, they get better. They get better only because they believe strongly enough that the treatment will work. This is known as a placebo effect.
Animals certainly don’t have the thought process or intelligence to think through a treatment process. They don’t have the ability to think that someone sticking tiny little needles into their skin and tissues might make them feel better or that it might make them hungry.
Acupuncture is a wonderful all natural alternative therapy offered to animals. It works well for general overall balance of the body, for increased energy and for total well being. Common ailments treated with acupuncture include diarrhea, vomiting, urinary incontinence, itching, appetite stimulant, seizures, arthritis, behavioral disorders, kidney failure, paralysis, eye problems, pain management and many others.
If you think your pet might benefit from an alternative therapy such as acupuncture or isn’t responding well to current treatment, contact your veterinarian so that your pet may live a long, healthy and happy life.
