WHAT CAUSES CHRONIC JOINT PAIN?
Chronic pain conditions can effect our companion animals as they age, or as a result of past injuries, and can greatly diminish quality of life. Degenerative arthritis and joint pain are among the most common reasons an elderly animal is presented to a veterinarian. Bony changes in the joint, thinning cartilage, and the inflammation that result cause joint pain or osteoarthritis . The first line of defense in western veterinary medicine to ease painful joints is usually supplements to increase joint fluid (provide a cushion when the joint moves) and prescription medicines that decrease joint inflammation.
WHY USE ACUPUNCTURE FOR ARTHRITIS?
Some animals cannot tolerate prescription medicine commonly used to control arthritis pain, or the effects of the prescription diminish over time. Many owners would prefer to avoid the side effects and cost of daily doses of medicine all together. In the past veterinary medicine had little to offer to pets for whom standard western care did not yield satisfactory results. Acupuncture now offers both an integrative and alternative approach to ease the pain and increase the quality of life for these pets.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE CONTROL MY PET'S PAIN?
Acupuncture, cold laser (needless acupuncture) and herbs diminish pain by inhibiting inflammation using the body's own regulatory systems. They decrease the production of pain sensitizing hormones and increase the production of hormones that diminish perception of pain (raise the pain threshold). Each healing tradition can stand on its own, but when used in conjunction they have a powerful synergistic effect. These natural healing modalities have anti-inflammatory effects similar to traditional western drugs, without the unwanted side effects. Like regular exercise, they increase serotonin and endorphins and your pet's sense of well being.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL MY PET NEED?
Full response is usually achieved in four to six sessions scheduled a week apart. As in most chronic disease conditions follow up therapy is needed to maintain pain control. Your pet will let you know when the effects of the session have diminished and its time to schedule another. Monthly therapy may be needed if your pet is not on herbal medication, but treatments can be as infrequent as twice a year for some pets. Animals on appropriate herbs often do very well with sessions scheduled every three to six months.