Frequently Asked Questions
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine sterile needles (0.16 to 0.3mm diameter) into specific points along the body. The stimulation of these points causes local muscle relaxation, release of natural pain-relieving hormones such as serotonin and endorphins, increased local circulation, and blockage of pain signaling in the body.
According to Chinese medicine, the needling of meridians or pathways eliminates the blockage of chi or the energy life force and allows the body to achieve balance.
According to Chinese medicine, the needling of meridians or pathways eliminates the blockage of chi or the energy life force and allows the body to achieve balance.
What conditions respond to acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an effective treatment option for many conditions because of the multiple actions elicited in the body with needle insertion. Conditions that Dr. Jester has treated in her patients include the following;anorexia (decreased appetite)
arthritis
asthma
back pain
constipation (including megacolon in cats)
hearing loss
immune support (ex. cancer)
incontinence (fecal and urinary)
inflammatory bowel disease
kidney disease
laryngeal paralysis
liver disease
milk production/stimulation
muscle spasms/tightness
nasal hyperkeratosis (nose thickening)
nausea (vomiting)
neck pain
neurologic disease (disc problems, embolisms and degenerative myelopathy)
post-surgical pain
trigger points (muscle knots)
How many treatments will my pet need?
Treatment frequency depends upon the underlying condition(s) being addressed. As a general rule, most patients should receive the first two treatments one to two weeks apart. Patients with neurologic deficits (ex. dragging toes without awareness, fecal/urinary incontinence) ideally receive treatment one to two times weekly while arthritis patients typically need maintenance acupuncture every three to six weeks.
In the early stages of acupuncture therapy, a shorter time interval between treatments will be recommended in order for your pet to receive maximum benefit. When your pet's response to treatment has reached a plateau the sessions are less frequent with the goal of maintaining your pet's comfortability/mobility.
Some patients have a very strong and immediate response to treatment while others show greater response after three to four sessions when the acupuncture has had a cumulative effect.
Typically when a pet is presented to Dr. Jester for a specific issue, she will find other areas of the body that also need work. For example, a dog or cat with hip arthritis will usually have some degree of back pain from the secondary effects of moving abnormally in the back leg. All of these areas will be addressed in the treatment sessions as the patient allows.
How will my pet react to the needles?
The reaction to the needling is also quite variable with some patients turning to acknowledge insertion or move away from the stimulus and others acting as if nothing has happened. The majority of pets are very accepting of the treatment and several become relaxed after needling has started and the body has released endorphins.
What do the treatment sessions involve?
The sessions are very thorough and last between 60-75 minutes. Dr. Jester will check your pet for sensitive areas that need treatment and will also discuss your pet's history to determine other areas that should receive needles. She will address as many health issues/conditions as possible during the session as determined by your pet's comfortability and cooperativity.
During the treatment you will likely see Dr. Jester place wires on the needles (electrical stimulation) to give additional pain relieving benefit as well as a longer response to the session. This part of the treatment sends a light pulse through the needles and is usually very comfortable to the pet, allowing her/him to become even more relaxed. On rare occasion a pet is sensitive to the stimulation and it is discontinued.
