Acupuncture & Laser Therapy
AcupunctureAcupuncture is a very safe, non-pharmaceutical and non-surgical therapy which can be used to treat and manage several chronic conditions. Acupuncture can be used by itself or in conjunction with other medicines and treatments in order to improve overall quality of life by reducing pain and inflammation, decreasing anxiety and stress, and improving immune function.
Conditions most commonly treated with acupuncture are musculoskeletal and neurologic problems. Examples include joint pain from arthritis, hip dysplasia, neck and/or back pain from either soft tissue strain or spinal cord disease such as intervertebral disc disease, nerve injuries/paralysis, and lameness. Following a thorough diagnostic workup and therapeutic medical plan, acupuncture can safely be used with other medications to reduce clinical signs and improve comfort and quality of life for ailments such as inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal motility problems, constipation, asthma, chronic rhinitis, ear & skin allergies, feline lower urinary tract disorder, and terminal cancer pain. Laser TherapyLaser therapy is a treatment modality that has been utilized for decades, but is finally finding its place in mainstream veterinary medicine. Therapeutic laser has been incorporated into treatments that address diverse conditions including:
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Sully's very first acupuncture session to treat his inter-vertebral disc disease and associated hind end weakness and instability. As you can see he was quite calm and unfazed by the insertion of needles.
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Acupuncture FAQs:
Will my pet really sit still for acupuncture?
Yes! Acupuncture needles are much thinner than needles routinely used in veterinary practice. On the first visit, we start with smaller needles in a less sensitive location to make the experience as comfortable as possible. Even if your pet is very sensitive to having vaccines and blood taken, it’s likely that they’ll be okay with acupuncture needles, even cats. Most animals don’t mind the insertion of the needles. They tend to enjoy the calming sensation they feel afterwards - some animals even fall asleep during treatment! Of course, some animals or points on the body are more sensitive than others and your pet may have a quick reaction during certain needle pokes but our goal is to earn their trust - and yours - by making the experience as pleasant as possible.
Watch the video above of Sully getting his first acupuncture appointment!
How does acupuncture work?
Dr. Carpenter places acupuncture needles at points chosen to shift the nervous system toward a more relaxed and calm state, which is known as a parasympathetic response – the exact opposite of the sympathetic “fight or flight” response – to improve your pet’s ability to rest, regenerate, heal, and digest. She targets points that influence desired physiologic reactions and promote the release of important chemicals and neurotransmitters, such as the release of the body’s natural pain killers, endorphins and serotonin. Studies have found that acupuncture can reduce inflammation and stress, promote repair and regrowth of damaged tissues, increase circulation, stimulate nerve function, relieve muscle and soft tissue spasm and tightness, improve digestion and enhance the body’s immune system.
What conditions does acupuncture treat?
Musculoskeletal and neurologic problems are the most commonly treated conditions. This includes joint pain from arthritis, hip dysplasia, neck or back pain from either soft tissue strain or spinal cord disease, nerve injuries or paralysis, and lameness. Acupuncture is an additional therapeutic option for certain internal and systemic diseases and other inflammatory conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, constipation, asthma, chronic rhinitis, ear and skin allergies, feline lower urinary tract disorder, and terminal cancer pain. Following a thorough diagnostic workup and therapeutic medical plan, it can safely be used with other medications to reduce clinical signs and improve comfort and quality of life.
What should clients expect during their first appointment?
The first acupuncture appointment is a one-hour exam. We’ll discuss your pet’s history and establish the goals of treatment. Dr. Carpenter will perform a myofascial palpation exam (a gentle hands-on massage to detect areas of pain, tenderness, weakness and tension) and depending on the condition, a neurologic exam and develop a treatment plan. You’ll remain with your pet during the appointment to make them comfortable. We’ll provide comfortable padding and treats and you can bring a favorite toy, snack and blankets.
In most cases, follow-up treatments are 30 minutes once per week for 5-6 weeks in a row. We can then taper treatments as needed to maintain the patient’s improvement, ranging from every two weeks to every few months. Each individual pet requires different amounts of time for the needles to be left in and this typically ranges from a few minutes to 20 minutes.
Yes! Acupuncture needles are much thinner than needles routinely used in veterinary practice. On the first visit, we start with smaller needles in a less sensitive location to make the experience as comfortable as possible. Even if your pet is very sensitive to having vaccines and blood taken, it’s likely that they’ll be okay with acupuncture needles, even cats. Most animals don’t mind the insertion of the needles. They tend to enjoy the calming sensation they feel afterwards - some animals even fall asleep during treatment! Of course, some animals or points on the body are more sensitive than others and your pet may have a quick reaction during certain needle pokes but our goal is to earn their trust - and yours - by making the experience as pleasant as possible.
Watch the video above of Sully getting his first acupuncture appointment!
How does acupuncture work?
Dr. Carpenter places acupuncture needles at points chosen to shift the nervous system toward a more relaxed and calm state, which is known as a parasympathetic response – the exact opposite of the sympathetic “fight or flight” response – to improve your pet’s ability to rest, regenerate, heal, and digest. She targets points that influence desired physiologic reactions and promote the release of important chemicals and neurotransmitters, such as the release of the body’s natural pain killers, endorphins and serotonin. Studies have found that acupuncture can reduce inflammation and stress, promote repair and regrowth of damaged tissues, increase circulation, stimulate nerve function, relieve muscle and soft tissue spasm and tightness, improve digestion and enhance the body’s immune system.
What conditions does acupuncture treat?
Musculoskeletal and neurologic problems are the most commonly treated conditions. This includes joint pain from arthritis, hip dysplasia, neck or back pain from either soft tissue strain or spinal cord disease, nerve injuries or paralysis, and lameness. Acupuncture is an additional therapeutic option for certain internal and systemic diseases and other inflammatory conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, constipation, asthma, chronic rhinitis, ear and skin allergies, feline lower urinary tract disorder, and terminal cancer pain. Following a thorough diagnostic workup and therapeutic medical plan, it can safely be used with other medications to reduce clinical signs and improve comfort and quality of life.
What should clients expect during their first appointment?
The first acupuncture appointment is a one-hour exam. We’ll discuss your pet’s history and establish the goals of treatment. Dr. Carpenter will perform a myofascial palpation exam (a gentle hands-on massage to detect areas of pain, tenderness, weakness and tension) and depending on the condition, a neurologic exam and develop a treatment plan. You’ll remain with your pet during the appointment to make them comfortable. We’ll provide comfortable padding and treats and you can bring a favorite toy, snack and blankets.
In most cases, follow-up treatments are 30 minutes once per week for 5-6 weeks in a row. We can then taper treatments as needed to maintain the patient’s improvement, ranging from every two weeks to every few months. Each individual pet requires different amounts of time for the needles to be left in and this typically ranges from a few minutes to 20 minutes.