Targeted Relief for Pain, Mobility, and Chronic Conditions
Acupuncture has been used in animals and humans for thousands of years and today, modern science helps explain why it works. By stimulating specific points on the body, acupuncture triggers the release of natural pain-relieving compounds, promotes tissue healing, and supports the body's ability to restore balance on its own.
What is Veterinary Acupuncture?
Acupuncture involves the careful placement of very thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body, called acupoints, to produce a therapeutic effect. Ancient Chinese practitioners identified 361 acupoints in humans and 173 in animals. These points are located where there is a high density of free nerve endings, mast cells, small blood vessels, and lymphatic tissue.
Stimulating these points has been shown to trigger the release of natural compounds like endorphins, beta-endorphins, and serotonin, all of which help reduce pain and inflammation. Research has also shown that acupuncture can mobilize stem cells to support tissue repair, regulate gastrointestinal function, support blood pressure, and help balance hormone levels.
Conditions We Treat With Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be used as a primary treatment or as part of a broader care plan for a wide range of conditions.
Primary Conditions
- Arthritis & chronic joint pain
- Mobility issues & stiffness
- Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
- Nerve injuries & hind end weakness
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Hip dysplasia
- Back pain
- Muscle injuries
- Age-related mobility decline
Adjunctive Support For
- Feline asthma & chronic bronchitis
- Seizure management
- Anxiety
- Skin & dermatologic disease
- Diarrhea & constipation
- Urinary incontinence
- Heart & thyroid disease
- Cushing's disease
- Autoimmune & ocular disease
- Cancer support
What to Expect at Your Pet's Appointment
Acupuncture sessions are calm, gentle, and designed to keep your pet as comfortable as possible from start to finish.
1. Thorough Evaluation
Your appointment begins with a review of your pet's medical and behavioral history, current symptoms, and a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) examination to guide the treatment plan.
2. Needle Placement
Our veterinarian places very fine, sterile needles — about as thin as a strand of hair — at targeted acupoints. Most pets relax during this process, and some even fall asleep. Treats are offered to help keep your pet comfortable; you're welcome to bring favorites from home.
3. Rest & Treatment
Needles typically remain in place for several minutes while your pet rests. Additional techniques such as electrical stimulation, moxibustion, or therapeutic injections (such as saline or vitamin B12) may be incorporated as appropriate.
4. Recovery & Follow-Up
Your pet may seem a bit more relaxed or sleepy than usual after the appointment — that's completely normal. Many pets show reduced pain and improved comfort soon after treatment. Your veterinarian will recommend a follow-up schedule based on your pet's condition and response.
What Pet Owners Often Notice After Treatment
Every pet responds differently, but many owners begin to see positive changes after just one or a few sessions. On the day of treatment, your pet may seem more relaxed or sleepy than usual, that's a normal sign the body is responding. Beyond that first day, the changes can be meaningful.
- Easier Movement: Pets that struggled with stairs, jumping, or getting up from rest often move more freely and with less hesitation.
- Reduced Pain: Many pets show clear signs of reduced discomfort — less limping, less stiffness, and more willingness to be active.
- More Energy: As pain decreases, pets often become more engaged, playful, and interested in daily activities they had started to avoid.
- Better Sleep: Pets in less pain rest more comfortably, settling into deeper, more restful sleep throughout the night.
- Improved Appetite: Pain and chronic illness can suppress appetite. As pets feel better, many show renewed interest in eating.
- Better Quality of Life: Perhaps most importantly, many owners simply describe their pet as seeming happier, more like themselves again.
Ready to Schedule an Appointment?
If you're interested in learning more about acupuncture for your pet, or if you are a referring veterinarian, we're here to help. Call us at (803) 567-5568 or email us at info@riversedge.vet.
Referring Veterinarians: please click "Refer a Case" below to begin the referral process.
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