Integrative Veterinary Care
Dog Acupuncture
Healing through Acupuncture: Natural Pain Relief for Your Dog
Canine acupuncture, a time-honored practice in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), has been used for thousands of years to promote healing and well-being. First documented during the Tang Dynasty, this holistic therapy made its way to the United States in the 1970s and has since become a trusted approach to supporting canine health.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Dogs
Pain relief for arthritis and joint problems.
Mobility Issues
Recovery from surgery or injuries.
Support for neurological disorders (e.g., IVDD, paralysis).
Help with digestive issues.
Stress and anxiety reduction.
Is Acupuncture Safe for Dogs?
Yes, acupuncture is safe for dogs with little to no side effects.
After receiving treatment, your dog may feel a little sore or feel tired in the next 24-48hours.
If your dog has any lump, bumps or suspected cancer areas, be sure to notify us when making an appointment.
Will Acupuncture hurt my Dog?
Rest assured, acupuncture is a safe and gentle treatment for your dog.
At Integrative Veterinary Care, we practice acupuncture with the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in mind, carefully selecting acupoints to stimulate your dog’s natural pain-relief mechanisms and promote overall balance.
Just like humans, some dogs may be more sensitive to acupuncture than others. In some cases, they may experience a mild tingling sensation, especially with electro-acupuncture. To an untrained eye, this may appear as discomfort, but it’s actually a natural response called “De-Qi”—a sign that the treatment is effectively targeting the right points.
How Can You Prepare For the Visit?
- Email through your pet’s history and any clinical test results prior to consultation.
- Prepare a clean & quiet area for the consultation and treatment.
- Any children and/or other pets must not be in the immediate treatment area and should be monitored by yourself or someone else at all times if present in the same room for safety reasons.
- You will need to be able to hold your pet throughout the whole treatment (45 minutes – 1 hour). If you are unable to do so, you can get someone to help you. If your pet is not held appropriately during the treatment and poses a risk to people in the vicinity, we may not be able to proceed with the treatment.
- You may use calming medications from your regular GP vet 2 hours prior consultation if you feel that your pet may not be comfortable with a stranger in your house. However, this may slightly alter the diagnosis of your pet’s condition, as they would be less responsive to trigger points.
- Let us know if anyone is allergic to essential oils.
If you have any more questions or are ready to start your healing journey with your pet, feel free to send us an email to book your appointment!
We’re excited to help you both on this path to wellness.