Veterinary Acupuncture

What Conditions can Acupuncture Treat?

Veterinary acupuncture is most commonly used to relieve pain, improve mobility and support healing. While it isn't a replacement for conventional veterinary medicine, it can be a valuable part of an integrative treatment plan for many acute and chronic conditions.

Every pet is different. During your consultation, I'll perform a thorough examination, review any previous imaging or test results, and discuss whether acupuncture is likely to benefit your pet. For many conditions, the best outcomes are achieved by combining acupuncture with appropriate medication, rehabilitation, nutrition and lifestyle changes.

Osteoarthritis

Arthritis is one of the most common reasons dogs and cats gradually lose mobility as they age. As joints become inflamed, chronic changes occur to protect the painful area, movement becomes restricted and even simple daily activities can become difficult.

Acupuncture helps by reducing pain, relaxing tight muscles and improving local blood flow. Many owners first notice small but meaningful improvements—their dog gets up more easily after resting, walks a little further, hesitates less on the stairs or simply seems brighter and more comfortable at home.

The best results usually come from treating the whole patient rather than the joint alone. Depending on your pet's needs, acupuncture may be combined with weight management, rehabilitation exercises, joint supplements and conventional pain relief to improve long-term mobility and quality of life.

Common conditions include:

• Hip dysplasia

• Elbow dysplasia

• Cruciate ligament disease

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) & Spinal Disorders

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is one of the most common neurological conditions I treat with acupuncture. Whether managed conservatively or following spinal surgery, many dogs benefit from acupuncture as part of their recovery.

The goals of treatment are to improve comfort, reduce muscle spasm, encourage normal movement and support neurological recovery where possible. Electroacupuncture can be particularly valuable for some spinal conditions by providing gentle stimulation to affected nerves and muscles.

Recovery from IVDD often requires patience. Acupuncture isn't a substitute for appropriate diagnostics, strict rest or surgery when indicated, but it can be an excellent addition to a comprehensive treatment plan throughout the healing process.

Common conditions include:

• IVDD

• Neck pain

• Lower back pain

• Lumbosacral disease

• Cervical disc disease

• Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis

• Recovery following spinal surgery

Neurological Disease

Neurological disease can affect movement, coordination, strength and quality of life. While every condition is different, acupuncture is frequently used to support the nervous system, improve comfort and encourage functional recovery.

Some pets improve rapidly, while others require ongoing treatment to maintain mobility and independence. Treatment is always tailored to the underlying diagnosis and is often combined with rehabilitation, physiotherapy and conventional neurological care.

I commonly use acupuncture to support pets with:

• Idiopathic Epilepsy

• Facial nerve paralysis

• Vestibular disease

• Fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE)

• Peripheral nerve injuries

• Degenerative myelopathy

• Laryngeal paralysis

• Radial nerve injuries

• Sciatic nerve injuries

Chronic Pain & Musculoskeletal Conditions

Not all pain comes from arthritis.

Many pets develop persistent discomfort because muscles compensate for an injury elsewhere in the body. Over time these muscles become tight, sore and contribute to ongoing pain, even after the original injury has healed.

Acupuncture is particularly effective at identifying and treating these painful muscle patterns. By reducing muscle tension and improving movement, many pets become more comfortable and are able to return to normal daily activities with less pain.

This commonly includes:

• Muscle strains

• Myofascial pain

• Trigger Points

• Iliopsoas injuries

• Soft tissue injuries

• Chronic compensatory muscle pain

Rehabilitation & Recovery After Surgery

Acupuncture is frequently incorporated into rehabilitation programs following orthopaedic and neurological surgery.

By helping control pain, reducing muscle tension and encouraging normal movement, treatment can make the recovery period more comfortable while supporting the return of strength and function.

It is commonly used following:

• TPLO surgery

• Cruciate ligament repair

• Patella surgery

• Fracture repair

• Spinal surgery

• Tendon and ligament injuries

Urinary Disorders

Some urinary conditions involve inflammation, pain or neurological dysfunction that may benefit from acupuncture as part of a broader treatment plan.

While it isn't appropriate for every case, acupuncture may help improve comfort in selected patients with chronic urinary disease and can sometimes be incorporated into the management of urinary incontinence associated with neurological conditions.

Common conditions include:

• Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)

• Idiopathic cystitis

• Chronic cystitis

• Urinary incontinence

• Neurogenic bladder

Anxiety & Behavioural Disorders

Pain and behaviour are closely linked. A pet living with chronic discomfort may become withdrawn, anxious, irritable or less tolerant of normal daily interactions.

Acupuncture promotes relaxation and can help reduce pain that may be contributing to behavioural change. While it isn't a replacement for behavioural therapy, environmental modification or medication when required, it can be a useful part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

I commonly use acupuncture to support pets with:

• Anxiety

• Separation anxiety

• Stress-related behaviours

• Cognitive dysfunction in senior pets

Gastrointestinal Disorders

The digestive system and nervous system are closely connected, which is why chronic gastrointestinal disease can sometimes respond well to acupuncture alongside dietary management and medical treatment.

Treatment may help improve comfort, reduce nausea and support normal gastrointestinal function in selected patients.

Common conditions include:

• Chronic vomiting

• Chronic diarrhoea

• Inflammatory bowel disease

• Constipation

• Appetite loss

• Chronic nausea

• Supportive care for pancreatitis

Lick Granuloma (Acral Lick Dermatitis)

Lick granulomas are often far more complex than a simple skin wound. In many dogs, the persistent licking is driven by an underlying source of pain, nerve irritation or chronic inflammation, while in others it becomes a compulsive behaviour that continues long after the original trigger has resolved. Arthritis, previous orthopaedic injury, spinal disease, allergies and anxiety may all contribute to the development of these frustrating lesions.

Acupuncture aims to address the underlying cause rather than simply the skin itself. By activating the body's natural pain-modulating pathways, reducing neurogenic inflammation, improving local blood flow and relaxing painful muscles, acupuncture may reduce the discomfort or abnormal sensation that drives repeated licking.

Cancer Support & Palliative Care

While acupuncture doesn't treat cancer itself, it can play an important role in maintaining comfort and quality of life for pets living with cancer.

Depending on the individual patient, treatment may help manage pain, reduce nausea, encourage appetite and improve mobility. It can also be used alongside chemotherapy, surgery and nutritional support as part of an integrative cancer care plan.

For families facing difficult decisions, acupuncture is often one of several gentle therapies that can help pets remain comfortable for as long as possible.