Acupuncture

[Natalie]

So I thought I would start a thread on this to share my experience of acupuncture on Monty.
Our vet specialises in physiotherapy and rehabilitation and suggested to me when Monty was around 18 months that He might benefit from acupuncture. I have had this myself for a whiplash injury and was open minded about how it could help Monty. How it works is- 15 needles are used, most go in pairs down his spine, with a couple around his shoulders and close to his elbows, but none in his hips. They stay in for 15 mins, if any fall out in the first 5 minutes they get replaced, but after that they just stay out. They have a bright purple casing so can't go in too far and are easy to see.

The first session was astonishing, he curled up and went to sleep! The second session, around 6 weeks later, went well but he wasn't so sleepy.
I continued with sessions over 3-4 years, but slowly lengthening the gap between them. This was because I noticed Monty was becoming less happy about the needles going in, and I was having to distract him for the full session, whereas in the early days he didn't seem to mind. I also had to make sure for every acupuncture session, he got at least 2 to 3 hydro sessions, which he adores, so that he didn't associate the vet with needles. Then, last year, our vet became very poorly and acupuncture was unavailable, in fact she's only just come back to work recently. That means Monty has probably gone 15 months or more with no acupuncture, and I can see no difference.
So, that's it for us, at least for now. I would have persevered if I could definitely make a link with an improvement in his movements following each sesssion, but I couldn't , I was simply seeing it as part of the whole package of treatment for him. The last session we did he really seemed uncomfortable with, so it's a very easy decision to make for me.

But I definitely think it's worth anyone giving it a go if they are offered it, our insurance covered the costs and it only takes 15 minutes or so.

 

[Jacqui-S]

From my perspective on humans, sleepiness is common after a first session (we advise not to drive after).
I found that the first few sessions were most beneficial, thereafter, less so (optimum number about 4).
Repeat courses were usually disappointing - expectations higher perhaps?

 

[Charlie]

Thanks for the write up Natalie, very helpful. It would be difficult to see the benefits when other treatments and medications are in place. I suppose it's like finding out about an allergy, you test one thing at a time. xx

 

[Natalie]

Thanks for the write up Natalie, very helpful. It would be difficult to see the benefits when other treatments and medications are in place. I suppose it's like finding out about an allergy, you test one thing at a time. xx

I know what you mean, and the difficulty with this is that when you have a dog in prolonged discomfort, as Monty was when he was a year old, you just try everything, all at once, because you want to remove the pain.

And a lot of what you can try is easy - for example supplements - just chuck them in with food - so there's no real incentive to test one thing at time.

 

[Charlie]

It's so tough like you say, when your dog is in pain you just want it to stop for them. How on earth can anyone try one thing at a time? I really feel with you and poor Monty dealing with this from such a young age. xx

 

[M.F.]

When I was a student many years ago in the Department of Biomedical Science, we had a weekly series where a student would present their research. One guy presented the effects of acupuncture. It was very compelling. He was studying the chemical gateways, and how some channels opened due to an acupuncture needle.

I’ve had acupuncture on myself. I hated it. I didn’t like the sensation of the needle. And I felt I was getting nothing—I much prefer having my aching muscles kneaded. My sister, on the other hand, swears by it.

Snowie had it it once or twice, although the holistic vet himself decided it was not working for Snowie and used laser instead.

I’d still try it once at least for a dog in pain, especially since I’ve heard of others with success.

 

[Jacqui-S]

For a short period of time, acupuncture appeared as a therapy for knee osteoarthritis (again this is humans) as part of the NICE Guidelines.
Now these are the Gold Standard of treatment in the UK and pride themselves in basing treatment recommendations on hard evidence, though admittedly they grade the evidence from overwhelming to "some". This will have been based of study reviews, and collation.
Anyhow, everyone got very excited at this, panicked as the service was just not there, then about the next year, the acupuncture disappeared from the guideline.

 

[Beanwood]

I have had acupunture, and still do for muscle spasms in my legs that are so bad it is too painful to massage. My physio works holistically with a range of techniques to keep me moving. Acupuncture has been very affective. Once the needles have been removed, she is usually able to work a bit more on the muscle.

Casper loves acupuncture, he has had to get used to the position, being still and having the needles. Now he just sits quietly on the floor while Tamsin works with him. After we get home he has a lovely, deep relaxing snooze, just melting into his bed, his whole body relaxed. This "relaxation" is the key, muscles that are fluid, a mind state that is relaxed is very therapeutic for dogs ( and humans..)

With Tamsins multi modal approach to Benson, he hasn't limped in a year. He has acupuncture, chiropractrickery, treadmill and cold laser. Each approach should compliment the other allowing for collectively greater effectiveness. He has a healthy diet, we keep his weight low ( could be lower!!) and he has the odd probiotic, Yumove Plus and quality cold pressed salmon oil.

Edit: Benson also has a course of Cartrophen once a year ( Dec 2018)