Veterinary Acupuncture

To schedule an acupuncture appointment you can simply click the "Request an Appointment" button, or email The Comfort Vet at thecomfortvet@gmail.com, or you can text/call (608) 561-1639 and leave a message.

Be sure and have your pet's primary veterinarian share current medical records on your pet to thecomfortvet@gmail.com ahead of time if possible.

Please also fill out the Comfort Care Intake Form.

Someone will get back to you within 24-48 hours.

Acupuncture can help alleviate pain through the release of endogenous endorphins (the body’s natural morphine-like compound only without the negative opioid related side-effects). It can help boost the body’s immune system and improve blood flow to help fight off infection. It can reduce the inflammation responsible for allergies, asthma and immune dysfunction through the release of anti-inflammatory substances in the body. Acupuncture can also help loosen tight muscles, relieve painful trigger points by breaking up adhesions in the fascia, and improve tissue oxygenation to improve overall cell health.

Rarely! The practice of acupuncture uses very small, sterile needles that should not cause pain when inserted correctly. Over 95% of patients are comfortable with acupuncture care, some of them even fall asleep from the relaxation effect. However, some animals may feel a “Di Qi” response and react when the needle is inserted, which is a positive sign, but it isn’t usually regarded as painful. Some animals may have a little bruising or bleeding after the needle is removed, which is not abnormal since acupoints are concentrated around areas of both nerve supply and blood vessels. Many animals don’t even notice the needles going in and begin to relax due to the effect of the treatment.

Both conventional Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) share common goals; to promote health and prevent disease. They both rely on obtaining a good initial medical history and then performing a physical examination to make a diagnosis. What differs is the approach thereafter. Conventional Western medicine is more mechanistic, undertaking a process to discover specific, fundamental causes of disease. It utilizes diagnostic tools such as blood work, radiographs, and ultrasound, and targets observed abnormalities with specific treatments to manage the disease. It is best suited to acute conditions and those that require a surgical intervention. TCVM on the other hand focuses on patterns and energy balance in the body, seeing the body as an integrated, energetic structure. Disturbances in that energy balance create disease in the whole being. By identifying disease patterns through observations, scanning the body for sensitive points, palpating for depressions as well as heat and cold, and using tongue and pulse examination, a TCVM practitioner works to restore balance and health by employing methods (such as acupuncture) that help the body self-regulate. TCVM is especially helpful for chronic diseases and those conditions that conventional Western medicine can’t cure. Both approaches are logical and have strengths that can be complementary when practiced together. A practitioner who is experienced and qualified in both approaches can integrate TCVM into the care plan so that the patient can benefit the most.

There are a lot of conditions Acupuncture can help treat. Here are some examples listed below:

• Degenerative Joint Disease and Osteoarthritis (such as Hip Dysplasia)

• Metabolic Diseases (such as adrenal disease, diabetes, and thyroid disease)

• Loss of nerve function (paralysis, nerve degeneration, slipped discs, weakness)

• Seizure disorders and Epilepsy

• Digestive issues

• Kidney Disease

• Respiratory issues

• Skin conditions

• Heart Disease

• Reproductive issues

• Cancer care

• Quality-of-life and Geriatric care
  

An initial visit typically takes about an hour. The time is used to discuss the pet’s medical history and perform both a conventional physical and TCVM examination, then to administer the treatment. Follow-up sessions can range from 20 to 45 minutes.

Some patients have a positive response after just one treatment, but most require several treatments before a noticeable improvement will be seen. It is generally recommended to plan for a minimum of 3 to 5 treatments spaced about 1 to 2 weeks apart for conditions that are chronic before expecting to see a noticeable response. Once improvement begins, treatment intervals can be tapered to the individual needs of the patient.

Some patients require weekly treatment, though more commonly treatments are spaced every 3 weeks to monthly, to every 3 to 6 months, and some even yearly. Treatment intervals are dependent on the condition being treated and the animal’s individual response.

Yes, there are multiple ways to stimulate an acupoint, as listed below:

• Dry Needle Acupuncture – Using small, sterile, stainless-steel needles to stimulate an acupoint; this is the most well-known form of acupuncture

• Aqua Acupuncture – Using an injection of vitamin B12 into an acupoint. This can provide longer lasting stimulation of the point

• Electroacupuncture – Using an electrical current through the needles placed into acupoints. This technique is very helpful when treating nerve damage and specifically for painful conditions

• Laser Acupuncture – Using cold laser energy to stimulate an acupoint

• Moxibustion – Using heat from a special herb to stimulate an acupoint. This can be done with or without needle placement

• Acupressure – Using digital pressure over an acupoint rather than inserting a needle directly

Acupuncture is one of the safest veterinary therapies and it is rare to encounter negative side-effects. Some animals may experience a “rebound” effect where you may see their symptoms worsen for up to 3 days after a treatment. The good news is these patients do very well after they recover from this rebound. Some animals may experience an increase in energy levels or paradoxically be fatigued for up to 2 days after a treatment. Acupuncture may mask symptoms of disease, so it is important to have your pet undergo a thorough examination and any relevant diagnostics before starting acupuncture. Some animals may experience an increase in pain for a short period of time after a treatment. This may last for 24-48 hours, then subside. Rarely an animal will swallow a needle or a needle will break while in the skin. If other methods to remove it are not successful, this may require minor surgery. It is very rare for a needle to puncture underlying organs, but sometimes a hematoma or bruise may form if a blood vessel is punctured. It is also possible that a nerve could be inadvertently traumatized. Acupuncture isn’t for every animal as some animals are too easily frightened or easily fatigued. Acupuncture should be avoided in pregnant animals and animals that have recently eaten a big meal. Additionally, those that have recently exercised strenuously or just had a bath should not receive an acupuncture treatment. Animals with blood clotting disorders should also not undergo acupuncture. Finally, acupuncture should be used with caution for animals with generalized skin infections, fractures, open wounds and tumors.