Reduce Pain, Accelerate Healing

Veterinary acupuncture for horses, dogs and cats.

Reduce Pain, Accelerate Healing

Veterinary acupuncture for horses, dogs and cats.

Veterinary Acupuncture

Dr. Mandina is certified through the world renown Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and provides Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCVM), including acupuncture and herbal medicine, to dogs, cats, and horses. These medical modalities have been practiced and refined for thousands of years to successfully treat or control a large range of ailments, including many chronic conditions not well controlled by western medicine.

Modern research shows that acupoints are located in areas where there is a high density of free nerve endings, mast cells, small arterioles, and lymphatic vessels. Most acupoints are motor points. Studies indicate that the stimulation of acupoints induces the release of beta-endorphins, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters. Needles are inserted into these specific points in order to cause a therapeutic effect. Additional methods may also be used including electrical stimulation, moxibustion (herbal heat therapy), or aqua-acupuncture (injection of a vitamin or other substance into an acupoint).

Many acupuncturists choose to combine acupuncture with herbal medicine because herbs enhance the effectiveness of acupuncture. There are many different types of herbal medications with different therapeutic effects mimicking the effects of western medications, but in natural form.

Each session takes approximately 20-45 minutes, with the first session usually being the longest. Some results can be seen immediately, but most require several treatments. A minimum of 3-5 treatments 1-2 weeks apart is recommended for chronic conditions before one can expect a notable improvement.

Maintenance therapy, as in all medicine, depends on the patient and diagnosis, but is sometimes done daily, weekly, monthly, or even further apart depending on the condition and the patient’s response.