Acupuncture at copthorne vets

We are delighted to inform you that Copthorne Veterinary Clinic now has
a new and exciting service to offer to our clients. Clare Hacker, partner
and long time member of the practice, has just completed the Foundation Course in Acupuncture for Vets, a course provided by the Association
of British Veterinary Acupuncturists.

As complementary medicine and pain management such as physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and acupuncture become more popular with people, we are beginning to understand that these approaches can also benefit our pets.

Acupuncture has evolved from the ancient art of placing needles into
special locations on the body to alleviate pain and increase the
recovery rate and resistance to disease. The modern version
is called the Western Scientific approach. This is the method we
use in practice and it goes hand in hand with orthodox treatment.

How does acupuncture work?  The treatment involves stimulation of
specific points in the body, usually by the insertion of very fine,
pre-sterilised, stainless steel needles. What seems quite simple
can generate many responses within your pet’s nervous and
endocrine system. It can affect muscles, the circulatory,
reproductive, digestive and urinary systems as well as antibody
production and hormone output. Who’d of thought a few small
needles could do all that! And that’s not all, acupuncture
increases the body’s release of natural painkillers such as
endorphin and serotonin.

Acupuncture at copthorne vets

Although it all sounds wonderful, you may well wonder if your pet will
tolerate treatment, especially if just giving them a worming tablet
feels like wrestling a tiger!

In actual fact most animals seem to quite enjoy their sessions, they
become very relaxed and some just go to sleep! After treatment
patients may exhibit behavioural changes, with improved demeanor
as well as obvious pain relief. As with humans all animals are
different, some are very responsive to acupuncture and will show
dramatic improvement after one session, but the vast majority
will respond gradually over a period of time.

How often will your pet need treatment and what are the costs?
On average four to six treatments are required. These are given
weekly initially with gradually increasing intervals as the desired
effect is achieved. The frequency of treatments depends on the
patients needs but regular top-ups are usually required to maintain
the therapeutic effect.  How long the needles remain in place
depends on the patient, usually even a few short minutes will be
sufficient. The cost of sessions are very reasonable and alternative
treatments are covered by most pet insurance companies, ( we
would advise you check with your individual insurer yourself ).
The introductory session including assessment is £35 and
following sessions are £25.

Acupuncture at copthorne vets

What conditions can be treated effectively with acupuncture? There
are many problems which acupuncture can help with, these include
back pain such as spondylosis (disc disease), arthritis, hip dysplasia,
muscle and ligament strains and sprains, lick granulomas and other
chronic skin diseases.

All in all we feel that acupuncture can improve your pets quality of
life and we have been very impressed by the results we have had so
far. Copthorne Veterinary Clinic is committed to caring for your pets
and we enjoy providing owners with alternative ways of treating their
pets for conditions that not only cause pain and suffering but can
effect their happiness too. The surgery also has a hydrotherapy unit
on site and we can arrange treatment with a visiting Physiotherapist.
To benefit from the services we offer you do not need to be a client,
all that is needed is a referral letter from your own vet. If you have
any questions or wish to discuss anything mentioned here please
feel free to phone us for a chat.