Veterinary Acupuncture
An Ancient Healing Art in a Modern Medical Setting

What is Veterinary Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a method of health care that has its origin in ancient China and has been used continuously for over 3000 years. Acupuncture is one part of a very broad health care system called Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) which includes acupuncture, herbal and nutritional therapies and certain massage techniques.

Acupuncture is recognized the world over as a safe and effective form of medical care that requires extensive training for its proper application.  Companion Animal Hospital is happy to now offer acupuncture as another medical service to complement our already high standard of care.

Acupuncture is the stimulation of certain locations or points on the body. Research has shown that these points are associated with nerves and blood vessels which communicate with the spinal cord, brain and other organ systems.

Acupuncture promotes the production and release of endorphins and other hormones that support the body in countering pain and inflammation. These responses can be measured and seen in our patients for days after a treatment.

Evaluation and Treatment
Tradition states that acupuncture works by adjusting the vital flow of energy in the body. This energy, called “Qi” pronounced “chee”, flows through channels called meridians, and it is on these 14 meridians that the more than 365 acupuncture points are located. Disease is seen as a disruption of Qi. Acupuncture works to restore the balance in the body and support healing.

Before proper therapy can begin an accurate diagnosis must be made. Dr. Swinamer will review your pet’s history and perform a Western and Chinese medical exam. Bloodwork, x-rays and other tests may be a part of the diagnostic work-up.

Acupuncture treatments result in minimal discomfort for your pet. The majority of pets go through a typical sequence of responses during a treatment. They are initially apprehensive but they quickly relax and many actually fall asleep during the treatment. A treatment typically lasts between 10 and 30 minutes and depending on the intensity of the treatment your pet may be fatigued for a day or two.

If aqua-puncture is the best treatment for your pet then a sterile solution will be injected into the acupuncture points to achieve the same effect as needles. This technique is commonly used in cats and in those dogs that are not willing to hold still for dry needle treatments.

The length of treatments and the frequency of treatments will depend on the underlying problem and your pet’s response. Each animal is an individual and will heal at different rates and tolerate therapy differently.

Average therapy consists of 2 to 8 treatments separated by 1 to 30 days. Depending on the condition being treated your pet may require more frequent treatments initially and then gradually  increasing the length between treatments.

Remember acupuncture is only one part of your pet’s successful recovery. Both traditional western medicine and acupuncture can help your pet reach their optimal health.

If you would like to find out more about the use of acupuncture for your pet’s condition please ask our receptionist at (860) 449-9800 to arrange a consultation with Dr. Sonya Swinamer, DVM our certified veterinary acupuncturist.

About Sonya Swinamer, DVM

Dr. Sonya Swinamer graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, Canada with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2004. She has been a member of the Companion Animal Hospital team since 2006.

She received her training in acupuncture through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 2010 and is currently a member of the American Veterinary Acupuncture Society.  This certification required over 200 hours of intensive training, 2 days of testing and  ongoing continuing education to remain a certified acupuncturist.

Dr. Swinamer is happily married and shares her home with her husband Bill and their dog Bos’un and 4 cats Marcel, Halifax, Sydeny and Athena.