Not all Acupuncture treatments are created equal. Effective acupuncture treatments are the result of more than completing a certification course that teaches you where to place some needles. Effective traditional Chinese veterinary acupuncture requires understanding the flow of qi energy in the pet’s body, recognizing restricted areas and knowing how to address those areas without creating pain. It takes years of study and practice to begin to understand Chinese medicine theory in learning to create balance in the pet’s body. Acupuncture is not about finding an area that is causing pain and then sticking needles in it to make it stop hurting. That is counterintuitive and counterproductive. As with all skills, acupuncture that works and is comfortable for the pet, requires many years of study and practice. Please consider these points when selecting an acupuncturist for your pet. Seek out a licensed veterinary professional who is both state accredited and who also practices traditional Chinese medicine where acupuncture was born.
While there are classes that are taught through the lens of conventional medicine that teach practitioners where to place needles but lack the true holistic nature of the technique. Yes, it may look to owners of pets like TCVM acupuncture, but it is far from the same quality. Quickly learning to perform something that appears to be a true skill so you can start charging for it is a disservice to pets in need, and is insulting to those who took the time, over a decade in some cases, to hone the craft. A comparison in the human world would be asking your GP to perform your brain surgery. Just because they went to medical school and became licensed does not mean that they are qualified to perform this specialized procedure. Most people would be more comfortable knowing their surgeon has done the proper work and training before trusting something so important to their hands (and the results will most likely be more favorable!)
Veterinary acupuncture is a skill that takes time, dedication, and continuous studies to become proficient in. Effective Traditional Chinese Veterinary Acupuncture, requires understanding the flow of qi energy through the pet’s body, recognizing restricted areas, and understanding how to address those areas without creating pain. This practice is balanced with a knowledge of Chinese Medicine theory to create balance in the patient’s body. When deciding to choose acupuncture treatment for your pet you should find not only a licensed Veterinarian that happens to perform acupuncture, but instead a licensed Veterinarian that is state accredited and incorporates acupuncture while practicing Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) to ensure your pet will receive the best holistic treatment possible and thereby achieve the best results.
Without the understanding of TCVM Acupuncture it may seem that the treatment involves finding an area that is causing pain and then sticking needles into it to alleviate the discomfort. There are weekend certification courses that a Veterinarian can complete and immediately start practicing acupuncture, but this is short sighted and counter productive when not used in conjunction with the theory of Chinese Medicine. This mechanical thought process does not align with treating the patient as a whole and instead focuses only on a diagnosis, as those lacking the TCVM education tend to center their treatment on, there may be other underlying causes for the pain response that may get neglected when Western practitioners are focused too myopically. This is why it is crucial to choose your Veterinary Acupuncture Practitioner with the knowledge and discipline to ensure your beloved pet is getting the most effective treatment possible.Â