About Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the technique of inserting thin needles through the skin at certain points on the body to control pain and other symptoms. I use sterile disposable needles. In animals, acupuncture is classed as a schedule three (an act of veterinary surgery) procedure, and as such may only be carried out by a qualified vet and member of the RCVS.

Acupuncture works through the nervous system. The needles block and modulate pain messages that the brain receives by stimulating nerve fibres in the painful area. Placement of acupuncture needles also causes the release of endogenous molecules called enkephalins which have an inhibitory effect on pain signals. If you would like a more detailed explanation of how acupuncture works, please contact me.

I have been trained to practice the Western Scientific approach to acupuncture. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses many specific points along energy channels or meridians in the body. In contrast the Western approach focuses on identifying and placing needles in or near Trigger Points (TrPs). TrPs are palpable painful taut bands of muscle that can form secondary to a long term condition such as arthritis or in response to an acute injury such as a muscle strain or tear. Using the Western approach gives me the freedom to place needles anywhere on an animal's body where TrPs have formed, providing it is anatomically safe to do so.