Equestrian Network Magazine

Acupuncture: Using the Ancient Art in the Modern World

by Erin Matern

Veterinarians have many resources available for the treatment of sick or injured animals. We have been specially trained to examine, diagnose, and chose appropriate treatments for our patients. This often includes using drugs or medications

which can fight infection or decrease inflammation, etc. Our medications have specific purposes that have been researched or used for years and tested by time. But long before we had these resources at our fingertips, people were treating animals in other ways. One of these was through the use of acupuncture, an ancient Chinese art.

It used to be that a person was considered either Western or Eastern in terms of how they practiced medicine. In the extremes, a wWestern person believed that only scientifically proven treatments were appropriate where an Eastern person would look for alternatives to drug treatments (i.e.: herbal remedies or acupuncture). But through the years, these two once opposing sides have merged to pursue the best overall treatment for the animal.

One of the Eastern techniques is acupuncture, or the insertion of small needles through the skin and into the underlying muscle. An important aspect to be aware of is that the location of the needle is very important; it is not a random darting of the animal. Originally, acupuncture was used on humans and over the years, the points have been transcribed

to animals. The needle stimulates nerve fibers in the skin and the muscle which run up to the spinal cord. At the level of the spinal cord, pain signals are blocked before they get to the brain (and become realized). Additionally, parts of the brain and brain stem respond

to acupuncture through the release of potent analgesics that can dull and impede pain. There are also local effects of needling muscles with tight knots (called trigger points) allowing for the release of tension. If you want to increase the stimulation caused by the needles, they can be hooked up to a device that sends an electric current through the needles and intensifies the response (electro-acupuncture).

With the use of acupuncture becoming mainstream, there are now research studies that have proven its effectiveness for many different problems from lameness to pain management. This has allowed the Western veterinarian to see the potential benefits to incorporating this modality into their practice. There are many courses available to veterinarians to become certified in acupuncture. Some are geared toward teaching the ancient art while others focus on the scientific proof of how it works. Either way, learning a new way to treat injury and disease can only help to provide the most comprehensive and effective therapy.

On e common misconception about acupuncture is that it is a cure-all, that it can fix a horse that has colic instead of the horse needing surgery. It may be true that if a horse has gas colic or ileus (intestine not functioning correctly), that acupuncture may be a right choice to treat the

issue, but if a horse has twisted intestine, it is still going to need surgery. Those who teach about this topic are careful to stress this point. Yes, they tell the heartwarming stories of animals that respond to acupuncture where every other modality failed, but those are not the norm. They also teach where acupuncture is contraindicated; it is not always the best choice for every problem. Additionally, not every patient likes acupuncture. If a horse hates the needling, becomes extremely tense, or responds violently, then that is not the right choice for treatment in that animal. While many animals respond well to treatment, some don't and need a different approach.

One good use of acupuncture is for post-operative pain. The horse had colic surgery, so we are not surprised that it may have some abdominal pain after surgery. Its intestines were manipulated and there is a skin incision that needs to heal. There are a few ways to keep the horse comfortable. One is to use pain medications alone which can work very well. But

keeping a horse on pain medications can prolong the hospital stay and increase the cost to the owner. At our clinic, we like to get a horse off of all pain medications before we send it home, to make sure that nothing is being covered up by the drug. Another option would be to use acupuncture in conjunction with lower doses of pain medications to keep the horse comfortable. This could potentially shorten the hospital stay and the cost of the medications while keeping the animal just as comfortable.

I'll admit I was not always an advocate for acupuncture. I realize now, that it was because I did not really know how it worked and what to use it for. I went to a course and I could hardly sleep the night before the first day, I was nervous I wouldn't be a "believer" and that it would all be a waste of time and money. But the first day changed my whole perspective, we were taught how it works and shown research based evidence of effectiveness. After that first day, I became excited that I was learning a new technique to treat horses that I would be able to offer to clients. On that first day, we also practiced on ourselves. It was hard to stick myself with a needle intentionally but when I hit the specific site, a wave or energy moved through my body, it was truly amazing.

Although I started out skeptical about acupuncture, the more I learn about it, the more benefits I see to adding it to our client services. It comes down to finding out what works for each patient as an individual; some may respond better to Western medicine while others like alternatives. I am eager to use my new skills in practice to get optimal recovery for my patients.

Highlights of Erin Matern's Career Life:
Born and raised in Sebastopol, CA
2000 Graduate of UC Davis, CA, BS, Animal Science
RAVS Volunteer
2004 - Graduate of School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis, CA
2004 - joined SCEC