Originally published December 1 2005
Equine expert talks about acupuncture therapy for horses
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Karen Hayes, an Idaho-based equine practitioner, discusses the emerging practice of veterinary acupuncture and how to find a qualified practitioner in your area.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), living organisms are a road map of energy conduits, called meridians or channels.
Acupuncture in the treatment of disease involves the stimulation of specific points along affected channels to reopen "blocked" energy flow and reestablish normal functioning.
Precision in selecting the proper points, inserting needles (if used) to the proper depth, and maintaining treatment for the proper length of time, all are critical for successful acupuncture.
Simple needling (AP): The insertion of fine, solid, metal needles, leaving them in place while occasionally twirling them, for a total of about 20 to 30 minutes.
Electroacupuncture (EAP): After insertion, acupuncture needles are connected to an electrical stimulator which delivers electrical impulses to the points for 20 to 30 minutes.
Moxibustion (moxa): A smoldering, punklike "cigar" of rolled herb is held above the acupuncture point until the heat becomes uncomfortable; the heat is withdrawn for a few seconds and reapplied.
Laser stimulation: A painless beam of laser light is used to stimulate acupuncture points.
Point injection: A liquid (vitamin Bu is commonly used) is injected into the acupuncture point, for prolonged stimulation that lasts as much as an hour after injection.
Where appropriate, augment it with acupuncture, or; Try acupuncture after conventional treatment has produced less-than-satisfying results.
If your horse has a condition for which every passing minute means more tissue damage and a worsening prognosis (such as laminitis, severe colic, bowed tendon, or navicular disease), seek proven conventional care as his primary treatment.
It'll provide you with the closest IVAS-certified veterinarian in your area.
Note: you may actually find, via word of mouth, a non-IVAS-certified vet who's had more hands-on equine acupuncture experience than some IVAS acupuncturists.
A veterinarian can become certified by IVAS after 4 weekends of class work and a 3-month internship.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml