Sometimes you need a sharp poke to feel better!

By Dr. Carla Wilkie

I’ll freely admit; I used to be a skeptic. After all, I’d been thoroughly trained during 7 years of veterinary college, in the ways of allopathic, or Western medicine. Evidence-based treatment was a mantra. Scientific studies had to support what we recommended in the way of treatments for our patients. Prescription medications were supposed to help fix almost anything. Then, about 10 years into my career as a small animal clinician, I got frustrated by mylimited ability to address certain things. Chronic issues such as arthritis pain, digestive issues and allergies were all alleviated only to a point (no pun intended, in this case) by my go-to ministrations. I noted that some pets suffered from side effects from pills; others had co-existing medical conditions precluding them from taking the standard treatments I suggested. Another group simply failed to respond to things I’d been taught should help. So, being a curious, open-minded person not willing to accepting defeat, I started investigating “alternatives”.

I initially considered herbal medicines as a possible way to further assist my patients, and took some training in that avenue. I was intrigued to learn there is, in fact, a lot of available research into the chemical makeup and therapeutic properties of many Western herbs.Proof of the efficacy , however, is complicated by the fact an herb’s multiple unpatentable components make it hard to study in a “placebo-controlled, double-blinded” scientific way. Nonetheless, one tool was added to my growing arsenal of patient aids.

The biggest shift in my focus occurred though, when a stunningly successful personal experience with acupuncture blew my skeptic’s mind. I had to investigate further. I chose to pursue certification in veterinary acupuncture though the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. This intensive training gave me a new, holistic way to view animal health and illness. The Chinese Medicine training focused on acupuncture but taught that diet, lifestyle and emotional influences affect health as well. What acupuncture seemed to offer included relief or at least improvement from many frustrating chronic conditions. Again, studies showing efficacy of acupuncture were available, and my clinical experience was that some animals responded profoundly to treatment through needling.

I learned that through insertion of TINY needles into highly specific anatomical points on the pet’s body, I was creating micro-trauma to the local tissues, that could stimulate a cascade of responses, all working in concert to help nudge the animal toward healing or at least better health. For instance, the stimulation from a VERY thin acupuncture needle, we now know through research, can influence nerve endings that signal chronic pain, down-regulating their firing patterns, thus reducing or stopping the pain sensations the animal feels. Internal organs’ function may be influenced by stimulating points close to spinal nerves that send signals to an upset stomach and intestine, for example, helping to quell nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

As it turns out, through research, traditional acupuncture points, which were mapped thousands of years ago in China, are usually located at points richly populated by nerve endings and capillaries, at the junctions of “fascial planes”. Fascia is tissue that surrounds and connects all parts of the body, acting as a flexible “information superhighway” that facilitates communication between cells both near and far. Along conduits of fascial tissue, signals pass from cell to cell, influencing processes like blood flow, neurotransmitter release, hormone balance maintenance. Placing a needle in an acupuncture point allows us to influence inflammation, pain, and discomfort from many conditions. Endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relievers, can be stimulated to release in higher quantity.

Typically we use metal needles to “stimulate” an acupuncture point, and can further refine treatments by moving the needle in the tissue, or by turning it one way, or the other. Needles may be left in for 10-20 minutes, depending on our desired effect.

Although most of my patients enjoy or easily accept their acupuncture treatment (this still amazes me!), some don’t love it. I’ve had some dogs shake their needles out vigorously, sending one or two flying across the room-nobody’s ever been hurt, mind you. If a pet hates needles, it’s possible to stimulate acupuncture points using a finger (called acupressure), or a therapy laser instead. Longer-lasting effects from acupuncture can sometimes be achieved by adding electrostimulation (a small current) between needles, or by actually injecting saline or Vitamin B into acupuncture points (called aquapuncture), once they’ve proven helpful in a particular case.

In the hands of a trained veterinarian, acupuncture can be a very safe and effective treatment. Certain conditions shouldn’t be needled, such as directly over a cancerous tumour, or into infected skin. Certain areas of the body must be needled with care to avoid complications.

So, what can we treat using acupuncture? I’ve seen remarkable responses in patients suffering from arthritis pain, intervertebral disc disease and myofascial pain (muscle spasms and stiffness, especially in older animals). The National Institute of Health developed a consensus statement saying there is compelling evidence for the use of acupuncture in managing osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal pain. I’ve also been pleased to see patients with internal illness such as kidney disease respond really well to acupuncture combined with herbal medicine. In treating these patients, laboratory testing is used to document the severity of disease and can also be used to follow their response to therapy. Sometimes owners of pets suffering from cancer seek added support to chemotherapy for their animals’ illness, reporting improved energy levels and appetites during treatments. Elderly dogs and cats suffering a variety of ailments and ageing changes regularly demonstrate renewed energy and appetites as well, after needling. Owners report long-ignored toys being dragged out of retirement for play by their senior pets after treatments. Although some placebo effect may be involved, it is possible quantify positive changes via lab results, or owners may note (via video/photos or note-taking) a pet’s ability to run further/longer, play harder, climb more stairs or “surf ” higher countertops in pets once treated with acupuncture.

The number of treatments needed to see changes varies with the condition. Not surprisingly, acute conditions may respond quickly, in one or two visits. More chronic issues may take 3-4 visits to improve. In cases where no improvement is noted after 2-3 treatments, I’m once again skeptical that acupuncture will help the particular problem or patient, and will recommend ceasing our efforts.

Acupuncture isn’t a cure-all for everything, and I love to combine it with everything else I’ve learned over the decades to provide my patients with the best care that I can. I’m still regularly amazed by the positive results I can both see and document when I add acupuncture to help heal my patients, using a safe, side-effect free method that’s well-tolerated by many.