Acupuncture and Your Horse

by Emilie Beaupre, DVM

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that has been used in veterinary practice for approximately 3000 years. Today, the research being performed shows that there is a scientific basis behind these points. The American Veterinary Medical Association considers acupuncture to be a valid modality for treatment of pain and various disorders in animals. Acupuncture utilizes specific points on the body to affect organ systems and local pain through the nervous system. These areas/points are concentrated in nervous innervation. By activating these areas with a small sterile needle, we are able to influence the central nervous system (spinal cord and brain), which controls the internal organs, decreases inflammation, promotes circulation, and alleviates pain.

Acupuncture has been shown to treat what we call “trigger points”. These trigger points can be thought of as “knots” or “spasms” in the muscles. They are painful and are commonly found along the back, poll, neck, and gluteal muscles in performance horses. Trigger points can be formed secondary to an injury and from chronic muscle use. For example, horses with osteoarthritis in their hocks often have secondary lumbar back pain. A horse like this will likely respond to hock injections, but there still may be residual back pain that can hinder performance. Needles inserted at the lumbar and distal points in this case can desensitize the trigger points to help alleviate the pain and resolve the muscle spasm to improve function and performance.

How can acupuncture be applied to your horse?

Acupuncture is a great modality for pain relief in horses. The most common use for acupuncture in the equine is for musculoskeletal disorders (back pain, training resistance, reluctance to take leads, stiffness, joint pain, tendon problems, etc). Acupuncture also can be used for internal organ and nervous system disorders such as various forms of non-surgical colic, photic head shakers, facial nerve paralysis, radial or suprascapular nerve damage, stomach ulcers, chronic colic, and for reproductive infertility issues. If you have a mare that is pregnant acupuncture is contraindicated.

What kind of results can I expect?

Horses respond to acupuncture in an individual way. Some respond strongly and quickly, while others may respond over time. This response depends on the horse and the condition. In general, musculoskeletal pain responds well to acupuncture. For the best results, it is important that prior to acupuncture a western medical diagnosis be made. Trigger points and/or boney pain are usually formed over a long period of time and therefore these problems will likely take a few sessions before resolution is seen.

What can be expected from an acupuncture session?

The first acupuncture session is the longest session. This will likely last 45minutes to one hour. It is advantageous to the owner to think about their goals for their horse’s condition prior to this first session. This will help define the treatment plan and allows a discussion of how realistic it is that acupuncture will attain these goals prior to treatment. During the first session a complete history will be discussed, an Equine Diagnostic Acupuncture Exam will be done to identify problem areas, and the first needling session will be performed. Needles will be placed and left in for approximately 20 minutes. Some horses respond to the needling very well and enjoy their session, while other horses will take more time to become accustomed to the needling process. This response usually depends on the temperament and the amount of pain the horse is experiencing. On average I usually recommend that the horse be acupunctured once weekly for three weeks initially. This treatment regimen may differ depending on the severity of the problem. After three treatments a maintenance schedule will then be discussed.

What is electroacupuncture, aquapuncture and moxibustion?

Electroacupuncture- Electroacupuncture is when a low current of electricity is passed through a muscle group via needled acupuncture points. This results in increased stimulation of the points and is a more aggressive form of acupuncture. This is used when dry needling of acupuncture points is unsuccessful and/or a more aggressive treatment is warranted. Horses tend to enjoy electoacupuncture because of the high levels of endorphins that are released from the brain with electroacupuncture. Electroacupuncture at low frequencies is thought to give a longer lasting treatment.

Aquapuncture- Aquapuncture is when an injection of a small amount of a sterile liquid (ie- vitamin B12 and/or sterile water) is placed at strategic acupuncture points. This is thought to promote long lasting affects of the acupuncture. This form of acupuncture is useful in horses that do not enjoy acupuncture sessions.

Moxibustion- “Moxa” is a Chinese herb called Artemisia vulgaris, that when burned is used to warm the needles that are in acupuncture points. This warmth stimulates the acupuncture points and warms the muscle. This technique is commonly used in horses’ backs during the winter or in conditions that worsen with colder weather.

Conclusion:

Acupuncture can be very rewarding for performance horses and their owners. Chronic pain can be frustrating to manage and acupuncture gives us another alternative for its management. If you have any questions about acupuncture and your horse please feel free to contact me at VLAC!