STETTLER, Alta. – Acupuncture has been an accepted part of Chinese medicine for thousands of years but it has only been used on animals for the last 30 years.
Veterinarian Ken Vanderwekken of Lacombe, Alta., is working toward his certification for acupuncture in animal care and has treated a variety of animals suffering aches and pains.
He had been referring patients to acupuncture practitioners and last year decided to learn it himself.
“It provides me with an integrated approach to medicine,” he said at the Stettler Horse Congress on Sept. 25.
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While acupuncture is more time consuming than traditional veterinary care and Vanderwekken admitted he is not entirely sure how it works, he said the treatments seem to provide relief to animals in pain.
Acupuncture produces regional anesthesia when the needles or other forms of pressure are passed through the skin to specific points. It stimulates these points on the body to alter various biochemical and physiological conditions to relieve pain.
As well as using needles, Vanderwekken also injects vitamin B12 into the points.
The vitamin injection provides continued pressure in the area after a needle is withdrawn. In human medicine, the needles may remain in place for 20 minutes but an animal may not stay still for that length of time.
Horse owners are always searching for cures for lameness, soreness and improved performance.
Besides acupuncture, people may look at alternative medicines including massage, chiropractic care, homeopathy, light therapy or heating and cooling devices.
“Some of these treatments have merit and some of them don’t,” Vanderwekken said.
In his treatment regime, he evaluates the horse and talks with the owner because he needs to know what the horse is used for. He looks to see if the horse is in equilibrium as it stands and moves.
Traditional Chinese medicine talks about a balance in the system, which is moderated by a flow of energy in the body called chi. If the balance is disrupted, disease can result.
During his presentation, Vanderwekken worked on a horse recovering from West Nile virus and other injuries, which had left it tired with sore feet.
His acupuncture exam looks for sensitive areas from the face to the hind end.
As he touched one spot, the horse flinched and tossed its head. A touch behind the ear indicated sore feet and possibly neck soreness. Fine needles were placed in the pressure areas to start pain relief therapy that may require several treatment sessions.
Acupuncture is best for diseases just below the surface of the skin. It can work well on conditions such as founder and can be offered as part of a combination of treatments.
“Acupuncture is not a cure all for everything,” he said.
