by Terry Lidral
Acupuncture has become a trusted treatment.
For a number of veterinarians who work with bucking stock, acupuncture has become a trusted means of treatment for a large variety of ailments. Thanks to positive results in scientific research, the use of acupuncture has become an accepted method of treating conditions in animal athletes. With acupuncture, use of steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs can be minimized, and in some cases, eliminated. And other conditions can be treated successfully with more limited use of medicine and surgical procedures.
Veterinarians who use acupuncture base their trust on scientific research and medical understanding of the procedures and techniques. It is important for them to know and be able to explain how and why acupuncture works. Veterinary medicine is a scientific practice and therefore, it does not invest in the spirituality and customization of the holistic healing arts. Veterinary acupuncture is based on case study results showing physical reactions to the procedures and how they affect the overall health of the animal.
Acupuncture is explained as the stimulation of specific points of the body which affect certain biochemical and physiological conditions. By inserting a needle into a carefully designated anatomic location, biochemical changes occur. Signals that travel up the spinal cord to the brain cause the brain to send back a response to release endorphins and hormonal chemicals. The acupuncture process releases healing factors that travel through vessels and nerves and activates pain blocking mechanisms.
Acupuncture procedure can be less painful and less stressful on an animal than a large majority of medical treatments. This process has proven to lead to the nourishment of tissues and organs which can help the body heal itself. In situations involving conditions such as nerve damage, acupuncture is shown to have reawakened affected parts of the body and cause signals to work again. It is also known to increase the blood flow to the tissue.
Research shows acupuncture shortens healing time.
Besides the well known practice of using acupuncture for the treatment of lameness and orthopedic ailments, veterinarians have branched out to use the procedure on a wide range of conditions. Successful results have been obtained by the use of acupuncture for diarrhea, vomiting, stress anxiety and nerve damage, as well as the reduction of time for healing a wound. Hoof ailments have been shown to respond well to treatments of acupuncture.
Acupuncture has also been used to aid in reproductive problems. Bulls with no libido, low sperm count or with limited physical ability to breed cows have benefited from acupuncture treatments. Cows who do not get pregnant have also been helped by these procedures. It has also been used to successfully treat the condition of prolapsed uterus.
Acupuncture is a standardized practice with courses of study leading to certification and licensing. A reputable veterinarian will be more than happy to discuss procedures and techniques and answer your questions.
Author: Terry Lidral
Terry Lidral is a western writer/journalist who lives in Idaho. She is the publisher and editor of the online magazine Bucking Stock Talk and the online magazine Western Living Journal. Her publishing credits include Storyteller for Real American Cowboy Magazine, writing feature articles for Humps N Horns Magazine as well as a wide variety of national and international web sites, historical magazines and news publications. She is known for her "up close and personal" profiles of celebrities and industry moguls such as NPR's Tom Bodett; PBR's Wiley Petersen and D.H. Page, PRCA's Sammy Andrews, Cindy Rosser and Julio Moreno to name a few. She has been applauded for her way of making a personal connection between her readers and her subjects. She indulges in her love of rodeo by serving as an associate board member for the Caldwell Night Rodeo. She is also an accomplished trainer and handler in dog agility. Her shelties Amelie and Milo are titled in NADAC, USDAA and AKC.
