Red Bank Veterinary Hospital offers safe, comforting acupuncture treatments for patients with chronic pain and a variety of other conditions. Our certified acupuncturist consults with the treating veterinarian or rehabilitation specialist for optimum results.

Veterinary Acupuncture

Used in healing for more than 5,000 years, acupuncture is a form of medicine that encourages the body to heal itself. Fine, sterile needles are inserted into the skin and underlying tissues at specific locations called points. This process sends a signal to the nervous system, telling the body to heal and return to normal function.

Understanding Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be effective in:

• Musculoskeletal problems—Muscle soreness, back pain, disc problems, osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease

• Neurological disorders—Seizure, weakness from chronic disc disease, radial nerve or facial paralysis

• Gastrointestinal disorders—Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, poor appetite

• Chemotherapy—Minimizing side effects in cancer patients and promoting general wellbeing

• Chronic conditions—Asthma, geriatric weakness, skin problems, immune system disorders, and more

We often combine western medications with acupuncture for enhanced treatment results.

How We Use Veterinary Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the safest treatments available when performed by a certified veterinary acupuncturist. Your pet’s veterinary acupuncturist will perform a full physical exam, review medical records, and consider test results before implementing a treatment program.

Pets are typically treated once weekly for four to six weeks but may receive treatments as frequently as three times a week. After the initial treatment period, the intervals between sessions are extended based on your pet’s response and level of progress. Commonly, owners observe improvement in their pets’ conditions after the first treatment. However, four to six treatments must be completed before accurately assessing the effectiveness of acupuncture.

A treatment session typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. Insertion of the tiny needles is not painful for most animals, and many patients relax during treatment. For optimum results, it is important to inform your veterinarian of any changes in medication or medical conditions at the start of each treatment session.