From: The Herald Tribune

ANIMAL ACUPUNCTURE FACTS

Was practiced on animals in China for about 4,000 years.

Can be combined with homeopathy, herbal and traditional medicine, including vitamin B-12 injections.

Can increase blood circulation or decrease lymphatic drainage or inflammation.

Patients can feel effects in as little as 10 seconds or not for more than an hour.

Can also be used to treat musculoskeletal, urinary and respiratory problems.

Is one of the safest therapies available.

Can include needles, electro-acupuncture, aquapuncture (injecting solutions), applying heat or laser acupuncture.

For veterinarians it takes about 130 hours of training for veterinarian certification.

Please note that licensed acupuncturists are required a minimum of 3,500 hours of training, receive a Master Degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine and take national and often state boards to become licensed.

As a licensed acupuncturist I feel it is impossible to learn acupuncture and Oriental Medicine with only 130 hours of training. Even hairdressers are required at least a minimum of 1,000 hours!

Acupuncture is much more than knowing just where the points are located and how to needle. It involves a complete medical theory, diagnostic procedure and considerable training in needle technique. It is not simply an add-on to another medical practice.

Transitioning a human acupuncture practice to animals is easier than transitioning a western veterinary practice to acupuncture. From the standpoint of oriental medicine, animals have essentially the same organs, channels and diagnostic process as people.

Certainly there are veterinarians who take it upon themselves to study and become proficient in acupuncture and oriental medicine, but these very low state required hours of training are woefully inadequate.

jeanie marie kraft, L.Ac.

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