Acupuncture, Laser & L.E.P.T. Acupuncture
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Acupuncture is a method of stimulating certain points to re-balance the vital energy system. Acupuncture is part of a complete medical system called Traditional Chinese Medicine (T.C.M.). T.C.M. is based on the belief that each body is a unique system through which energy ("Qi") flows. When an examination of a pet is performed utilizing T.C.M. techniques, the aim is to discover any imbalances in the distribution or magnitude of life energy ("Qi") within the pet's body. Your pet's body has a network of energy channels, called "meridians." These meridians conduct the flow of the vital energy force called "Qi". The first goal of TCM treatment is to rebalance your pet's energy system. The second goal is to discover the cause of the imbalance and eliminate it from your pets internal or external environment. For an illustration of acupuncture points on a canine click here. The acupuncture points for the feline are almost identical.
The word acupuncture is derived from the Latin words acus, meaning
needle, and punctura, meaning to prick. Acupuncture has been used in
veterinary practice in China for at least 3,000 years. Acupuncture needles and
other methods are used to stimulate acupuncture points along the
meridians (energy channels) to balance the flow of "Qi" throughout your pet's
body. The use of herbs, nutritional supplements and physical therapies can be
used along with acupuncture to re-establish the balance and/or flow of "Qi"
throughout
your pet's body.
Acupuncture methods include fine needle acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion
(application of heat), aquapuncture (injection of a sterile substance
such as vitamin B12), electroacupuncture (the application of a low
voltage of electricity to acupuncture points), the implantation of small gold
or silver beads for permanent stimulation of points, or photopuncture
(laser/low photon
therapy - the application of either visable or invisable pulsed,
high-frequency infrared light).(C.A.V.M.)
Current research has demonstrated that specific acupuncture point stimulation has been shown to increase blood supply and oxygenation to areas treated, aid production of natural cortisone and other anti-inflammatory secretions, release internally produced pain-killers called endomorphins, and increase immunity by increasing white blood cells and antibody production (I.V.A.S.).
Conditions where veterinary acupuncture may be appropriate as a primary or adjunctive (supportive) therapy include:
- Gastrointestinal Disorders: gastritis, colitis, megacolon, chronic idiopathic diarrhea or vomiting
- Respiratory Problems
: rhinitis, sinusitis, laryngitis, nose bleeds, bronchial asthma, chronic coughing, pneumonia- Neurological:
peripheral nerve paralysis, vestibular syndrome, non-degenerative myelopathies, epilepsy, stroke, deafness, and trigeminal neuralgia- Musculoskeletal Disorders
: chronic degenerative joint disease, intervertebral disc disease, spondylosis, hip dysplasia, tendinitis, and sprains- Reproductive, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
: ovarian cysts, mastitis, hepatitis, jaundice.- Immunosuppressive and Allergic Disorders
- Dermatologic Disorders
: allergic dermatitis, and lick granuloma- Urinary Disorders
: incontinence, cystitis, urine retention- Emergencies
: cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest. (L.T.A.H.)
Lasers play an important role in medicine today. High-power lasers have partially replaced scalpels in the operating room. The frequently used names low-level laser therapy (L.L.L.T.), low-intensity laser therapy (L.I.L.T.), and low-energy laser therapy (L.E.L.T.) are no longer entirely accurate for this treatment modality. The term low-energy photon therapy (L.E.P.T.) is now the accepted term for this form of treatment. Photon/Light therapy (visable and invisable) generated by the new L.E.D. arrays are in this category along with Laser.(C.A.V.M.)
Photopuncture has certain advantages over needling or point injection. Among these are 1. Painless if used properly, 2. Ideal for use on painful points or in nervous or difficult animals 3. Cats tolerate photopuncture extremely well.
Dr. Johnson utilizes standard needle techniques, injection aquapuncture, electroacupuncture, and photopuncture (L.E.P.T. photon) therapy in his practice. Both his electroacupuncture and photopuncture therapy units are new and represent the most up to date advances in this area.