Musculoskeletal/ Performance: This is perhaps the most commonly treated indication in the western world. Acupuncture is now widely used to influence the performance of the horse. It is not advisable to use an acupuncture treatment within 72 hours before a race, because any treatment will cause a sedating effect (endorphrin effect) as the healing process is activated.
Gynecological/Hormonal : In Oriental Medicine, women's physiology is usually described and differentiated from men's. Because of this basic theory, Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is particularly effective in treating women's disorders such as menstrual irregularity and pain, PMS, infertility, morning sickness, breech presentation in pregnancy, postpartum recovery, insufficient lactation and problems associated with menopause. Male reproductive conditions that respond to acupuncture include impotence, orchitis, epididymitis, infertility and libido. Almost all of the hormonal control systems can be influenced, including all of the pituitary functions, thyroid and parathyroid functions and adrenal functions. It is possible to normalize blood sugar levels, presumably by stimulating insulin production. Many of these same problems can be treated in animals.
Neurological/Psychological : Anxiety, epilepsy and behavioral disorders have all responded well to acupuncture treatments. Facial paralysis, disc syndrome, obturator nerve paralysis, sweeney and radial nerve paralysis have also responded to acupuncture therapy (usually involve the use of needles and electrical stimulation).
Dermatological: The skin reflects both the adequacy of the nutrition of the animal via the digestive and respiratory systems, and the adequacy of the waste disposal via the respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems. Accordingly, if an acupuncturist can maintain these systems in good condition, the skin will be maintained in good condition as a result. An acupuncturist can often treat skin disorders by stimulating points on the lung and/or large intestine meridians.
Cosmetic: Neck reductions for halter horses is popular in today's competitive show horses. Acupuncture is used to reduce the neck and scuplt it before a show.
The above are just a few of the conditions that have responded to acupuncture in animals. Of course, there are still many conditions that must be treated with drugs and/or surgery. Acupuncture, judiciously used in conjunction with drugs and surgery can improve the outcomes. Acupuncture is widely used post surgically to hasten recovery.
Acupuncture points lie on meridians and are areas of the skin that have a decreased electrical resistance compared to surrounding areas. The points are where the flow of "Qi" can be influenced. In disease states, there is an imbalance of or interference with the flow of energy. The acupuncturist can manipulate the energy flows by stimulating the acupuncture points, thus affecting relief for the disorder. The acupuncture diagnosis revolves around knowing what area of the body contains the problem. Most muscular, ligament, tendon and joint capsule conditions respond rapidly.
I perform a hands-on examination of the horse, palpating acupuncture points and using the horse's reaction to this palpation to localize the problem area, and then determine what and how I am going to treat the problem or problems.
