In human medicine, acupuncture is an alternative treatment for chronic pain. It has its origins in traditional Chinese medicine and has been used for thousands of years. It's usually used to treat inflammation and pain, and dog acupuncture side effects are rare.

In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is said to restore the appropriate flow of chi, or energy, throughout pathways in the body. In Western medicine, acupuncture is believed to work by stimulating neural-hormonal pathways to release hormones that reduce pain and inflammation. The needles are also believed to improve blood circulation at the points of insertion.

Acupuncture for dogs, like acupuncture for humans, is an alternative medical practice that involves inserting very small needles into the skin to stimulate points on the body and produce a healing response.

Conditions That Acupuncture for Dogs May Improve

There are many conditions that can benefit from a combination of Western medicine and acupuncture for dogs. These include:

• Arthritis and degenerative joint disease: Chronic pain and loss of mobility from joint disease are the most common reasons pet parents seek dog acupuncture.
• Intervertebral disc disease and nerve pain: Dogs who have a bulging disc, spinal arthritis or a pinched nerve may experience relief from acupuncture.
• Surgery: Acupuncture may help relieve pain and anxiety surrounding surgery and follow-up visits to the veterinarian.
• Cancer side effects: Acupuncture is often used to help improve energy and reduce pain, nausea and loss of appetite associated with cancer or cancer treatments.
• Hormonal or metabolic conditions: Dogs who suffer from hormonal conditions like Cushing's syndrome, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus or Addison's disease may find relief through acupuncture. Dogs with liver or kidney disease may also experience benefits.
• Trauma: Dogs who've been bitten, hit by a car, broken a bone or experienced other trauma that caused pain and inflammation may benefit from acupuncture.
• Skin conditions: If your dog is being treated for allergic dermatitis or lick granulomas (a skin lesion that develops from a dog consistently licking or biting in one particular area — commonly on the front legs), acupuncture may be used as a complementary treatment.
• Gastrointestinal problems: Acupuncture may help dogs suffering from diarrhea.
• Idiopathic epilepsy: According to Innovative Veterinary Care Journal, acupuncture may reduce seizures in dogs with epilepsy.

In conjunction with other traditional therapies, veterinary acupuncture has been used as an additional type of therapy to help with obesity, behavioral disorders, cognitive decline and overall wellness. When pursuing alternative therapies such as acupuncture, always follow your vet's recommendations for best results.

How Often Should My Dog Receive Acupuncture?

The person best suited to decide how often your dog should receive acupuncture is the vet performing the procedure. In general, acupuncture sessions are scheduled more closely together in the beginning. As your dog begins to feel better, sessions will likely be spaced out further apart.

If your dog is receiving acupuncture for an acute problem, such as healing after surgery or an illness or injury, they may only need a few sessions. If they're being treated for a chronic condition, such as arthritis, then they may need ongoing treatment to alleviate pain.

It may take a few sessions for you to see benefits in your dog, or you may see improvement right away. In general, a minimum of three sessions are recommended to judge effectiveness.