At Stillwater Equine Veterinary Clinic, we provide veterinary acupuncture for horses to offer pain relief as well as promote physiological changes to heal disease.

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Supplementary Treatment for Horses

Acupuncture techniques have been used on animals and humans for thousands years. Veterinary acupuncturists use a variety of methods to stimulate acupuncture points, including solid needles, injection of fluid into the points, electricity, or heat.

Acupuncture brings about a variety of physiological changes which can be beneficial for the treatment of many diseases. For example, acupuncture can stimulate nerves, increase circulation, relieve muscle spasms, and can trigger the release of compounds such as endorphins and cortisol.

We still don't understand everything about acupuncture and its effects, but we know that it can be useful in treating many conditions. Common conditions treated in veterinary medicine are neurological and musculoskeletal problems, such as paralysis, arthritis, muscle injuries, and vertebral disk disease. It can also benefit gastrointestinal diseases and some reproductive disorders.

Equine Acupuncture, Stillwater Vets

The Benefits of Equine Acupuncture

There are a number of benefits that this treatment can provide when used in conjunction with other therapeutic techniques.

What Conditions Can Be Treated With Acupuncture?

Acupuncture for horses can extend the period between joint injections and provide relief for the following conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Navicular and laminitis (acute and chronic)
  • Gastric ulcers
  • Tendon/ligament injuries
  • Anhidrosis or non-sweating
  • Muscle atrophy/loss
  • Heaves/allergic lung conditions
  • Sore backs and necks
  • Reproductive issues such as the inability to conceive or maintain pregnancy

When Will I See Improvements to My Horse's Health?

Acupuncture is not a magical, instantaneous cure for every horse. It is not capable of immediately mending a broken bone and it cannot turn a lumbering draft horse into a five-star eventer.

However, by using thin needles to stimulate various nerve endings in the horse’s body, this treatment can often start to influence physiological effects across your horse's entire body.

This can result from a number of different factors such as the release of hormones, activation of nerve responses, or triggering of immune system function.

The results seen with veterinary acupuncture treatments are typically noticeable after 1–3 treatments performed each week.

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