Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves inserting small, sterile needles into specific points on your horse. Acupuncture points are located in areas of the body with a density of nerve endings, mast cells, small arterioles and lymphatic vessels. Acupuncture can provide pain relief, reduces swelling, improves tissue healing and muscle strength and stimulates the immune system. Common conditions that acupuncture is useful for include pain management, chronic medical conditions, geriatric medicine, and sports medicine. Other uses include generalized weakness, degenerative joint disease, skin allergies, asthma, anhidrosis, and behavioural problems.
Common Symptoms of Horses Presenting for Acupuncture/Chiropractic Treatment
- Poor performance
- Lameness, stiffness
- Back, neck or tail pain
- Abnormal posture/changes in posture or topline
- Discomfort when saddled (cinchy, girthy)
- Difficulty bending to one side
- Reluctance to pick up a lead, inability to maintain a lead, cross-cantering
- Traveling with a “hollow topline”
- Hesitating to do things they normally do, such as picking up feet, stepping down out of trailer, turning in either direction, refusing jumps
- Difficulty engaging the hindquarters or traveling long and low
- Holding tail abnormality
- Head tilt, difficulty chewing
- Uneven muscle development
- Uneven pelvis or hips
- Difficulty flexing at the poll, pulling on one rein
- Difficulty getting up and down
- Muscle atrophy
- Changes in behaviour or attitude
