MODERN ACUPUNCTURE FOR OUR EQUINE FRIENDS

Many of you have heard about acupuncture in the news or on TV. Many of you perhaps have wondered about it, considered acupuncture for yourself, and/or have tried it. Perhaps after you finish this article, you will consider it even more, and for more conditions than you thought it would affect. This ancient science and art has become more familiar to us in the western world in the last 20 years; but what I'll bet you don't know is how extraordinarily effective acupuncture is in animals. I always laugh hysterically when people talk about the "placebo" effect. I say, "Right! Tell that to the horse!"

Since I am an equine veterinarian, most of my experience is with acupuncture in horses. Let me give you an example: I got a call from a veterinary colleague of mine a year or so ago saying that he had just been presented with a month old colt who had been kicked in the head by a mare other than its mom. The baby had a fractured orbit. is the bone that houses the eye, right up by the jaw joint. I have found, over the years, that the faster I can get to an accident victim, the better. I was able to see the baby the next day. By that time, the baby was in great pain, was having trouble nursing, as he had a lot of swelling and was showing signs of facial paralysis. While the handler held the youngster, I started treating him. After about 5 minutes, the baby was much relieved and literally fell asleep in the handler's arms. The referring vet called me two days later to say that you couldn't tell that anything had happened, and the colt was back to normal. Have I sparked your interest? Do you begin to understand why the Oriental people at the Olympic Trials had their acupuncturists and therapists right there waiting for them after their events?

Acupuncture has been around for at least 5000 years. We, in the Western World, with our "modern" medicine have a hard time understanding how such a simple thing as inserting a needle in the right place on the body could have any effect, let alone, such a profound effect. In fact, until recently, our arrogant scientists have considered a 5000-year-old medical system "experimental." I won't bore you with the scientific data that is accumulating about how acupuncture actually works. We don't really know exactly. But what has been proven scientifically is that acupuncture works through mediating the endorphin system. Endorphins are the body's regulating chemicals. It used to be thought that endorphins were mostly for internal pain relief. Now it is known that these chemical reactions create all sorts of different effects throughout the body and regulate how it works. The latest, and very exciting, and repeatable research, shows that treating a superficial acupuncture point on the surface of the body has an immediate effect directly on the brain.

When we try to understand how acupuncture regulates the body through these mechanisms, we see the body as a web of electrical circuits. The Chinese call the energy that goes through these circuits "Chi", the Japanese call it "Ki". In fact, every culture in the world has a word for this "life force." Westerners probably are more comfortable with a phrase like "electrical energy." These circuits are called Meridians, and they travel on the surface of the body from the fingers, in a human, to the toes, and vice versa. These Meridians cannot be dissected out as a nerve can be, but they can be traced electronically to a degree; and they are consistent. However, do not think of these circuits as an AC/DC current. I believe that they are much more like our TV cable wires, and can carry unlimited frequencies. I think of placing an acupuncture needle like pressing a “reset” button.

These circuits have internal organ connections, and thus are named for the solid and hollow organs, such as Lung, Large Intestine, Heart, Kidney, Liver, and others that they serve. They are Energetic Systems. The Meridians run on the surface of the body, coming from extremity points and ending at the other end. There is a Meridian that runs directly up the front of the body, and another that runs up the back. There are also other deep and esoteric meridians, which complicate the picture. It is an intricate web system, and makes no sense to the Westerner at first. However, after extensive study and working with these meridians, it is in many ways a very simple system, and truly powerful.

How does acupuncture relate to illness, pain, or injury? Acupuncture helps the body attain homeostasis so that it can better heal itself. We have built in mechanisms for healing injuries in our bodies. If you have a broken bone, it isn't the doctor who does the healing. But he or she might have to set the bone straight, so that the healing process will work. Sometimes the electrical energies must be "set straight," so that all the cells involved in the healing process can work at full capacity. If there is a blockage of electrical energy, and decreased circulation, to any part of the system, it creates a sort of dam effect. This can, not only cause pain, it can prevent healing. Acupuncture helps to remove this dam and normalize the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area.

There are many conditions other than injury that acupuncture is absolutely indicated for. There are many acupuncture points that directly affect the strength of the immune functions, for instance, normalize the intestines, and help with liver metabolism. While horses do not have the incidence of kidney malfunction as commonly as dogs and cats, they do get imbalances that can be devastating. In the horse, these kidney channel imbalances can directly affect performance as they are related to back pain. In the dog and cat, kidney malfunction is a major threat in older animals. Acupuncture can work wonders here. Degenerative diseases, arthritis, many allergic reactions are other disease processes for which acupuncture is absolutely the treatment of choice, rather than drugs which ultimately weaken the system. To me, it makes more sense to try something like acupuncture first, for many conditions, rather than to wait until all else has failed before seeking another modality. If that baby colt had gone through the usual, conventional therapy, it might never have gotten completely well. Nerve damage could have been permanent.

So, if you haven't thought about acupuncture for yourself or your horse yet, here are some common problems that I have had much success treating over the years:

Injuries of all sorts
Performance Glitches
Vague Lameness
Sore Backs
Cold backed or "Girthyness"
Chronic Lameness
Toxic Scars
Laminitis, Founder
Navicular Syndrome
Ringbone
Arthritis
Neurological Problems
Immune System Problems
Reproductive Problems
"Moon Blindness"
Geriatric balancing
Bad attitudes

You have to, of course, remember that Acupuncture does not stand by itself. This is why I come to each case first as a veterinarian. You need to have a proper diagnosis of the problem. It is very important to evaluate the work of the farrier. You need to consider the balance of the feet, the balance of the posture, the balance of the rider. Do not forget the balance of the mouth. Dental problems can be a HUGE factor in the overall performance and movement of the horse.

I always start with a fresh eye, so to speak, because, many times, the regular vet has been treating the effects of the problem, the symptoms, not the cause. Not that this isn't important, but it may not be enough to resolve the problems. Saddle fit, training and riding techniques are all important considerations. Sometimes the horse needs intelligent adjustment of misaligned joints for the treatment to be complete.

I recommend highly that you find a competent human Acupuncturist in your area and try acupuncture for yourself. You will be truly amazed at how, not only old pains can resolve and actual healing can take place, but how it improves your general health.

If you have any questions, I would be more than happy to respond to E-mail inquiries or telephone inquiries.