Morphine-like substances have recently been discovered in the central nervous system. These substances are called endorphins, naturally occurring morphines, and they have been found to be very effective in blocking pain. Endorphins are released whenever an acupuncture point is stimulated. Steroids, serotonin, prostaglandins and other chemical mediators are also released. The effects of acupuncture can be very swift (in terms of seconds.
Meridians consist of twelve bilateral paired channels, eight independent non paired channels and fifteen collaterals. Acupuncture points are located along these meridians and number 365. Today with the classical or ancient points, extra points, and micro system points, there are over 2000 recognized points that can be chosen for use. In practice, only about 150 or so are used with regularity. These points usually are master points, command points, influential points, and ting points.
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Needle acupuncture is only one way of stimulating an acupuncture point.
Electrical stimulation is used a lot in veterinary acupuncture in the United States . The technique is to connect up pairs of needles, by alligator clips, to each circuit of the machine, select the frequency, turn on, adjust the intensity to the comfort of the patient, and then wait the prescribed treatment time. In general, the stimulator is used therapeutically for conditions of severe pain, acute and chronic conditions, nerve damage, navicular, laminitis and conditions where ordinary needling has failed.
Burning of herb on the needles or over acupuncture points is another stimulation method.
The laser (cold or soft laser) has revolutionized the practice of acupuncture for several reasons:
- It avoids the discomfort to the animal of inserting the stainless steel needles, because it is noninvasive and painless.
- The operator does not have to become skilled in needle insertion techniques.
- The treatment with the laser is safe to tissue, and the latest infrared lasers are safe provided a few commonsense rules are adhered to.
- It cannot introduce infection.
- It is generally less time consuming (a few seconds per point) than a needling treatment, which may take about 20 minutes.
- Acupuncture lasers are relatively inexpensive.
In addition, lasers can be used directly on sore or diseased tissue. The laser beam uses light energy to exert a photochemical action at the cellular level of the tissue. Diseased tissue cells have been shown to have a reduced or zero level of mitogenic radiation. Normal cells emit a measurable level of radiation, which stimulates adjacent cells to divide, in the normal process of regeneration and healing. Laser light stimulates abnormal tissue to activate this normal intercellular radiation, and thus the normal healing process to start again. Laser stimulation is the greatest breakthrough in centuries. As well as having an acupuncture tool for stimulating points, you also have a method of treating local injuries. You are causing a photochemical rather than a thermal effect, and you are striking at the diseased cells themselves and initiating healing of tissues, rather than just improving the circulation to the area. These devices work very well and offer a large degree of safety for both the patient and the veterinarian. They work especially well for nervous animals.
Aquapuncture is the use of injectable products into points to promote healing.
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If a patient is over stimulated, this may cause a temporary worsening of the condition. This is transitory and indicates a response to acupuncture. Occasionally, people will have such a surge or release of energy that they will become light headed and may faint. This reaction is difficult to evaluate in animals, though I think it happens.
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A course of treatment varies depending upon treatment method used, animal response to treatment, scheduling, etc. Acute conditions may only need a few treatments whereas chronic cases will probably require several treatments. In general, two or three treatments are given to consolidate the effects of acupuncture (after the symptoms have gone), so strict adherence to the length of treatment may not be needed.
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