What is veterinary acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a thousands-of-years-old treatment in which thin needles are placed at specific points on the body. In veterinary medicine, acupuncture is used especially for pain relief, musculoskeletal conditions, and treatment of neurological symptoms. The treatment is based on nerve stimulation that releases the body's own pain-relieving substances.
When is acupuncture beneficial?
Acupuncture is particularly suited for treating chronic pain, relieving osteoarthritis symptoms, back pain, disc problems, post-surgical rehabilitation, and neurological symptoms. It works well alongside other medication and can reduce the need for pain relief drugs.
How does treatment work?
A treatment session lasts approximately 30–45 minutes. Thin needles are placed at acupuncture points and left in place for 15–20 minutes. Most animals relax during treatment and may even fall asleep. A response is typically seen after 3–4 treatments, and the therapeutic effect is maintained at regular intervals.
Training and experience
At our clinic, acupuncture is performed by Assaf Wydra, who has advanced training in acupuncture for dogs and horses. The training covers both traditional Chinese medicine principles and modern veterinary acupuncture.
Frequently asked questions about acupuncture
<strong>How many treatment sessions are needed?</strong> Typically, the effect of acupuncture is seen after 3–4 treatments. In acute pain conditions, relief may come after the first treatment. For chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, treatments are given weekly initially and every 2–6 weeks during the maintenance phase. The treatment plan is tailored individually based on the patient's response. <strong>Is acupuncture painful?</strong> Acupuncture is a virtually painless experience for most animals. The needles are extremely thin and their insertion causes at most a mild sensation. Most patients visibly relax during treatment — many even fall asleep. Acupuncture requires neither sedation nor anaesthesia, and normal daily life can resume immediately after treatment.