Now at Power Paws

I will be offering treatments to cats, dogs and rabbits at Power Paws 

in Northampton starting 6/11/25

132A Damon Rd Northampton, MA 01040

www.powerpawscaninerehab.com

To schedule, call:

413-300-9755

Acupuncture: A medical practice developed over thousands of years using thin flexible needles to stimulate the body’s own healing systems to reduce pain sensations and restore balance. Acupuncture on animals, especially horses, was developed at the same time as acupuncture on people. Medical acupuncture uses the modern understanding of nerves, and the way they interact with blood vessels, muscles, hormones and the immune system.  Specific locations on the body were found by Chinese healers to be especially powerful, and we can identify these locations as accessible to influence the nervous system.   Acupuncture is especially useful in cancer cases as it does not interact with any other treatments nor increase tumor growth.  It does not take the place of diagnosis or western treatments but complements and integrates with those treatments. Acupuncture doesn’t help everyone, but it can be very helpful for others.  After a treatment, some animals may be sore or tired, similar to a deep massage. We recommend having a restful rest of the day, and plenty of water to drink. 

Sweet Patient

One of my most rewarding acupuncture patients was a middle-aged Doberman mix. She had long-term neck pain, possibly lifelong. Her discomfort would manifest in different ways, with a curved back, limping on a front leg, or licking at a spot on a front leg. When she came in, she would stand still, waiting for me to position myself on the floor so that she could lie down with her head on my legs and keep her spine straight. 

She didn’t easily get down but suddenly crumpled, bending as little as possible. Then she pressed herself into me. She didn’t flinch as I gently placed the needles, finding the knots and tense areas, “circling the dragon” of the inflamed areas. As she relaxed, her lips would curve up in a smile. 

Although acupuncture often takes a few treatments, she walked out of the first one straighter than when she walked in.   Each time I saw her, I felt both heartbroken for this sweet, fragile girl and also healed by her warm, loving nature, so open despite her pain. It was such a privilege to participate in her care. 

Community Acupuncture - 2 dogs at once

 

Medical Acupuncture at Riverbend

          

Acupuncture is a practice with several thousand years of history in which practitioners use thin flexible needles to enhance the body’s own healing systems to re-establish balance. Specific locations on the body were found by Chinese healers to be especially powerful.

Medical acupuncture adds the further understanding that these locations are rich in nerve endings or other anatomical features that access the nervous system. By accessing these locations, we can affect the muscular, endocrine, and immune systems. Acupuncture complements and integrates with, but does not take the place of, diagnosis or medical treatments.

In veterinary medicine, the best-known use for acupuncture is in the treatment of canine intervertebral disc disease. Dogs with this disease have sudden onset of back pain, which may include or progress to paralysis, especially in the hind legs. Treatments include pain medication, anti-inflammatory medication, rest, and possibly surgery. Acupuncture can be used to reduce pain and inflammation, as well as to stimulate nerve transmission from the feet to the spinal cord. If surgery is needed, acupuncture can also be used afterward for the same purposes.

Veterinary medical acupuncture has also been used to help control epileptic seizures, treat nausea, improve GI motility, and treat other painful and stress-related processes. It is not contraindicated in cancer cases.

At Riverbend, we use acupuncture to complement our more traditional medical treatments. Dr. Christina White, who is certified in veterinary medical acupuncture, uses this service to treat pain and inflammation and to enhance healing in dogs and cats.

Initial visits are one hour. Half-hour follow-up rechecks are scheduled weekly or less often, depending on the needs of the individual patient.

After an acupuncture treatment, animals may be tired or sore for the following 24 hours, similar to how a person might feel after deep tissue massage. We recommend having them take it easy, with small amounts of controlled exercise to loosen up.

It may take a few treatments to see improvement in symptoms, which initially may last only days to a few weeks, especially in chronic conditions. However, over time, the benefit can be dramatic.

Please talk with us if you would like to find out more about medical acupuncture for your dog or cat.

Inspiration