Acupuncture began as part of traditional Chinese medicine thousands of years ago, and has had great success in preventing, diagnostic, and treating disease. Due to its great success, it has gained a lot of ground in the veterinary world for its ability to help our animals as well.

 

Acupuncture has two schools of thought- traditional Chinese medicine and Western medical acupuncture. Traditional Chinese medicine takes into account the flow of Qi along the 14 meridians, Yin and Yang, and the 5-element theory, whereas western medical acupuncture takes into account the effects that acupuncture can have on our nervous system, and how that influences our entire body, as well as our emotional and physical health. Acupuncture is a valuable modality that can be used to compliment and strengthen the effects of our western medicine.

 

There are many pieces to an acupuncture scan, and it is very similar to what we do on a traditional physical exam. We gather information from each part of our physical examination to make a diagnosis, and then we move forward with appropriate treatment. As you move through a scan your horses will tell me what their bodies and minds need in that moment.