What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a therapeutic method used especially in Eastern-Asian countries such as China , but also used in many European countries and Northern America . It is used both in man and animals. To cure disease by acupuncture, fine metal needles are inserted into certain body areas, called acupuncture points. The needles are left in place for 5 to 30 minutes, while being occasionally manually stimulated. Sometimes it is advantageous to increase the effect of acupuncture by electro-stimulation of the needles. Alternatively, acupuncture points may be stimulated by injecting specific solutions. Four to six treatments, given over a period of two to four weeks, are necessary to ensure optimal therapeutic effect.
How does acupuncture work? 
According to traditional theories, acupuncture alleviates pain and cures disease by harmonizing the flow of energy Qi in the body. Modern scientific research has confirmed that acupuncture operates via selective stimulation of the nervous system. A variety of hormones and neurotransmitters are released in response to acupuncture. These and other mechanisms help to correct existing dysbalance or deficit, in other words, modern science tends to confirm the ancient Chinese ideas that acupuncture works via modulating and reinforcing the body's healing and defence forces.
What is the advantage of using acupuncture in animals?
Although veterinary surgeons use very efficacious drugs, there are situations when these drugs cannot be given to your animal because of the possible risk of adverse effects, lack of effect, or because the drugs might be considered as doping (for instance in race horses). Obviously, as no drugs are injected during the acupuncture treatment, this is its major advantage.
Is acupuncture safe for your animal?
Yes. Acupuncture is a safe and pain-free medical procedure, provided it is administered by a qualified veterinarian.
Which conditions can be treated by acupuncture?
Major indications for acupuncture in dogs and cats are back and neck pain, lameness due to arthritis and joint degeneration, certain types of limb paresis and paralysis, skin diseases, female infertility and epilepsy. In horses, acupuncture is efficacious in curing backpain and associated reduced performance, lung "heaves", and exercise-induced lung haemorrhage ("bleeders"). Acupuncture can also be useful in the management "windsucking" and certain types of lameness.
Could your animal benefit from acupuncture?
Ask your veterinarian for his opinion. If he considers it would be useful to treat your animal with acupuncture, he will refer you to a qualified veterinarian-acupuncturist. Acupuncture may be an effective alternative or complement to the conventional veterinary treatments given to your animal. Acupuncture may be considered especially in those situations when the conventional treatment does not bring about the expected clinical improvement, or when the use of particular drugs is associated with undesirable side-effects.