Acupuncture and Your Pet

In the United States there are veterinarians who use acupuncture and acupuncture theories to help pets.

Cats who won't eat respond well with a particular acupuncture point. Dogs and cats with skin troubles can often be helped with a more natural pet care approach and/or the use of acupuncture.

Very commonly, dogs with arthritis and hip problems can be helped using acupuncture as a pain reliever.

In the state of Washington where I practice acupuncture, you must be a veterinarian to practice any sort of medicine on animals. Many people in alternative healthcare love animals and are eager to help them. However, the bodies of animals are very different from that of humans and there are different potential problems.

In the United States acupuncture training focuses on teaching people about the human body and the human condition. We learn the muslces and nerves and bones and arteries throughout. We do not learn these placements on animals.

Personally, as an acupuncturist, the last thing I would want to do is harm another person's beloved pet. I worked for many years at a veterinary clinic, as a receptionist (back in the old days when receptionists helped out the technicians with a little of this and a little of that). I worked with people and their pets and animals all have personalities and they are very much loved. Unless I was completely trained, I wouldn't want to take any chances that I could hurt that very special loved one.

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