In western medicine we make a diagnosis and treatment recommendations based on our training in biological, physiological and biochemical information available. In western medicine we have detailed scientific studies of anatomy, physiology, cellular biology as well as scientific studying of disease states and pathogenic bacteria, viruses, etc.  

In western medicine after a diagnosis is made we attempt to treat the condition with medicines, surgery and other treatments.  Our medicines generally will impart a relatively quick treatment for the condition.  The medicines can perfectly manage many conditions in many patients.  Medicines may also have a greater than desired affect and/or side effects.  Surgery is also available to correct some conditions.

Eastern medicine systems have overlap and correlations to what we have learned in western medicine.  Eastern medicine complements western medicine and patients benefit the most from use of both.

 Eastern medicine, TCVM for our purposes, incorporates a number of processes and inter-relationships that occur within a body as well as external forces.  Over thousands of years the understanding of systems has developed to allow a TCVM practitioner to determine the TCVM diagnosis and therefore develop a treatment plan utilizing the body’s own flow of energy and interconnected system relationships.

Balance is desired as is a smooth flow of energy through the body. Acupuncture is used to stimulate points on the body that will correspond to the diagnosis made and correct imbalances.  The acupuncture points have been determined over the last 3-4000 years and have similarities between species. Each point is on a channel or meridian which corresponds to internal pathways of energy or Qi (pronounced “chee”). 

Once an initial course of treatment is recommended and discussed appointments can be made for the acupuncture and follow up evaluations. Some patients/conditions will respond quickly while others may take 3 to 6 weekly or bi-weekly treatments before improvement is noted.  In many cases of chronic illness or disease a number of treatments will be needed to control the disease or illness.  Expect that the longer a condition has existed, the longer before improvement is expected. In most cases as the patient improves the time (days/weeks/months) between acupuncture treatments will increase. Eventually the time between treatments may be extended to the point the patient will only need treatments 2-4 times yearly for any particular condition.


Response to TCVM and acupuncture may be relative.  Ideally we can assist patients to become normal or cured but in most chronic cases we will only be able to improve the patient. Some patients may not improve. Treatments may vary from visit to visit depending on the interpreted need.  The needles are very tiny.  Needles are selected to match the patient size, characteristics and point location. Some acupuncture needles may be placed to help the patient relax and control pain.  Patient reaction to the needles can vary.  Veterinary patients tend to be very cooperative.  Many pets will be unreactive, even calm, although some may be resistant.  Even relaxed, calm patients may react to some points.  Specifically some points will be very beneficial to the patient but those points may initially hurt more than other points.  This is considered De-Qi a response indicating the arrival of Qi, one of our treatment goals.



After needle placement many patients will relax and rest while the needles are left in place. Some needles will come out without assistance. Some needles will seem to move as the skin/muscles and other tissues move with the pet. Needles may be left in place from 5 to 30 minutes. Some needles will be reluctant to come out but with gentle massage will be lifted.  Occasionally a needle site may bleed for a minute.