• The History of  Acupuncture.

Acupuncture has been practiced in both animals and human beings for thousands of years in China. The earliest equine acupuncture book “bo le zhen jing” (Bole’s Canon of Veterinary Acupuncture) is believed to have been written by Dr. Bo Le in the Qin-mu-gong period (659 B.C. to 621 B.C.). Acupuncture remains a significant part of mainstream veterinary medical care in China. 

• What is  Acupuncture?

Acupuncture may be defined as the stimulation of a specific point on the body with a specific method, resulting in a therapeutic homeostatic effect. The specific point on the body is called “Shu-xue” or acupuncture point (acupoint). The ancient Chinese people discovered 361 acupoints in human beings, 173 acupoints in horses, and 70 acupoints in dogs and cats. These points that were discovered in ancient times are called “Classical Points”. Acupuncture methods including electro-acupuncture, dry needling, aqua-acupuncture, and moxibustion.

• What is Electro-Acupuncture?

Electro-acupuncture, the application of a pulsating electrical current to acupuncture needles as a means of stimulating the acupoints, was developed in China as an extension of hand manipulation of acupuncture needles around 1934. It is described, though only briefly, in most comprehensive texts of acupuncture. The procedure for electro-acupuncture is to insert the acupuncture needle as would normally be done, attain the qi reaction by hand manipulation, and then attach an electrode to the needle to provide continued stimulation. The benefits of using electrical stimulation are that it substitutes for prolonged hand maneuvering. Electro-acupuncture may also help reduce total treatment time by providing the continued stimulus. It can produce a stronger  stimulation, if desired, without causing tissue damage associated with twirling and lifting and thrusting the needle. Strong stimulation may be needed for difficult cases of neuralgia or paralysis. It is easier to control the frequency of the stimulus and the amount of stimulus than with hand manipulation of the needles.

Especially good results are expected from electro-acupuncture treatment of neurological diseases, including chronic pain, spasm, and paralysis. 

• What is Aqua-Acupuncture?

One of the more effective acupuncture technique is known as aqua acupuncture. In Aqua-Acupuncture, a needle is used to inject an aqueous solution at a specific acupoint just under the skin. The popular solutions include a sterile suspension of B-12 or an herbal extract. The needle can then be withdrawn, but the effect of the liquid remaining under the skin continues in a manner close to that of the traditional acupuncture needle for a period of time. This results in a longer treatment benefit. 

• What is Moxibustion?

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing. Moxibustion has been used throughout Asia for thousands of years; in fact, the actual Chinese character for acupuncture, translated literally, means “acupuncture-moxibustion.” The purpose of moxibustion, as with most forms of traditional Chinese medicine, is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of qi, and maintain general health.

In traditional Chinese medicine, moxibustion is used on people who have a ‘cold’ or stagnant condition. The burning of moxa is believed to expel cold, and warm the meridians, which leads to smoother flow of blood and qi. In Western medicine, moxibustion has successfully been used to turn breech babies into a normal head-down position prior to childbirth, as reported in a landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998.