Is your dog suffering from pain or having difficulty moving? Our Family Veterinary Services in Peabody MA now offering Acupuncture & Holistic Medicine for pets.

Worried about how your dog will react? Dogs actually like acupuncture. Most dogs fall asleep or become very relaxed once the needles are placed.

The treatment is often used for pain and chronic disease, and movement disorders such as hip dysplasia, especially in older dogs. Acupuncture works through helping to maintain the health of the body. The basic principles of acupuncture are the same in animals as in humans. Chinese medical theory states that disease is the result of a blockage in energy flow (Qi or Chi) along pathways in the body. Inserting needles into these pathways unblocks the energy and restores health. I sometimes use magnets and lasers to enhance the effectiveness of the needles. Though many people are a bit squeamish about needles, most dogs don't mind at all. Acupuncture in animals was first used on the horses of Chinese emperors over 2,000 years ago and has been widely used in the treatment of horses in America for decades.

Some Conditions Treated:

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Stress/Anxiety
Movement Disorders
Pain Management
Low Back Pain
Arthritis
Allergies
Asthma
Low Energy
Spinal Cord Injuries
Shoulder & Elbow
Injuries
Ligament & Tendon
Injuries
Recovery from
Fractures
Degenerative Myelopathy
Muscle Strains
Off Season Agility Conditioning

To schedule an acupuncture session for your dog or cat or to learn more about veterinary acupuncture please visit the Four Paws Acupuncture website. 
http://www.fourpawsacupuncture.com

Maddy's Story

Maddy -5-year-old mini wire-haired Dachshund

I love working with dog guardians who understand that acupuncture is not a one time miracle cure and also how important it is to do acupressure and massage on their dog's in between sessions. Meg and Brian are the perfect example of responsible dog parents. They followed every recommendation I suggested that would help Maddy's recovery. 


Maddy received four acupuncture sessions every week which also included laser therapy and acupressure. After his fourth session, we saw that he was improving so I recommended that Maddy get acupuncture every other week. He is so much fun to work with too. 

Soon he will be on an every three week schedule and then once a month for maintenance. In between sessions his owners massaged him with a special Chinese Liniment aka "stinky herbs" as well as gave him a few recommended homeopathic remedies for pain. His owners also bought him a kiddie pool too for aqua-therapy. Now that is puppy love!

Here is Maddy's story told by his parents:

"Maddy had injured his back while running, he suffered a slipped disc earlier this year. The vet had recommended we keep him on strict bed rest for 8 weeks and then keep him in a confined area to keep him from reinjuring it. We realized this was not enough...he initially regained use of back legs but his recovery was very limited. We searched for alternative therapeutic modalities and found Jeanie.

In addition to Jeanie's acupuncture treatments, she has also given detailed instructions on how to apply acupressure massage to Maddy between his scheduled visits. This has been very helpful in Maddy’s recovery. She has also been extremely helpful in recommending homeopathic pain relievers and Chinese herbal sprays to help him through his suffering.

I totally agree with her explanations regarding why we need to do our part in helping Maddy between visits...we cannot just expect that Acupuncture every few weeks will cure him, but that a key part of his recovery is our participation too.

After 4 treatments so far we definitely see substantial improvement in his balance and mobility...and we see Maddy returning to his happy self again. We are determined to keep doing the massages and giving Maddy his supplements and anything we can to keep him improving and avoid any setbacks.

We recently bought a kiddie pool and we are now doing hydrotherapy. We are sure Maddy will benefit from this low impact exercise too.

I would definitely recommend Jeanie’s services and if she does treat your pet, don't think of it as just an Acupuncture session...it's a lot more. It is a treatment package...Acupuncture, acupressure, cold laser, education on treatment and recommendations for things that need to be done daily. Definitely do the things she recommends, it will speed up recovery and your little fur baby will love you for it.

Note to Jeanie:
Thanks so much for helping with Maddy "
Meg & Brian O.

Thank you Meg & Brian for your kind words and being such good parents to dear Maddy! jeanie

Learn more about acupuncture and holistic medicine for your pets at http://www.fourpawsacupuncture.com

Traditional Chinese Medicine is not Western Medicine!

One of the most difficult things I find when treating a dog is trying to convey to the owner and sometimes veterinarians that where I place the acupuncture needles is based on a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis and not a western one.

When treating a dog it is important to know the western diagnosis. Does the dog have hip dysplasia, arthritis, etc? Where is the pain? What medication is it on and any other symptoms that can help me determine what is the best treatment for the dog.

Before I even schedule a new patient, I have the owner fill out a health history form and do a phone consultation by phone to get as much information as possible. And all new patients must have a signed consent from their veterinarian before I can treat them.

The first session I ask a variety of questions to help me determine from a TCM perspective what the diagnosis is. We think in terms of energy. Is the dog hot or cold? Yin or Yang? Deficient or excess? Stagnation? Damp? Fearful? Worry? Excess smells? Oozing? We speak in a different language. Is the dog liver qi stagnant? Does he have speen qi deficiency/ Bi syndrome? Kidney Yin or Yang xu? Xue xu? None of this makes sense to anyone who has not gone to acupuncture school and that is OK. (I am pretty sure the dog understands it all!)

I also palpate the dog to feel for points that are deficient or excess, look at its tongue, watch its behavior and other things that are not part of a regular vet visit. Then I decide what points to needle. Many owners will expect me to needle where the dog has pain or according to it's western diagnosis. And usually I do not. For instance, if the dog has a hip problem and there is pain there- I may needle the opposite elbow instead. Sounds crazy - but in TCM, you can treat the opposite limb to move pain. It is confusing I know for owners to watch but after a few sessions when the dog is improving they understand a bit more.

There are over 365 acupuncture points on the body that we learn in school. (Most probably there are about 2,000 points on the body, ears and head.)
Each point has a function and are on meridians paired to each organ. Some move stuck energy that causes pain. Others tonify the energy. It is a balancing act. And with dogs it is best not to needle where there is pain. They will never allow you to needle them again.... and you may get bit! Treating dogs has made me think outside the box when coming up with an acupuncture point protocol. I also use a laser to stimulate points that I can't needle, along with acupressure, tui na and sometimes Reiki. (Great article here on acupuncture.)

The point functions and locations are the same on animals and people. Of course a human would need to be in the downward facing dog yoga position!

I also believe that it is not just acupuncture that is going to help a patient - animal or human. So giving the owner a list of supplements, herbal or homeopathic remedies to help the dog as well as a mini-lesson on how to do some acupressure at home helps the speed the recovery process. Diet is also an important factor. 

To learn more about this combination of holistic practices, I have created an online class for dog owners. 
www.udemy.com/holistic-dog-treating-k9-pain-stress-ailments-naturally/

Licensed acupuncturists have at least 4 - 5 years of grad school and internship before taking boards to get licensed. Some states require a state board as well as national boards. Since I lived in California at the time I went to Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, I took the CA boards and national boards. California has the hardest requirements for acupuncturists. The board had several parts when I took it. Written TCM theory. A practical which was identifying raw herbs and formulas with a written herbal exam. A practical point location exam. Written western and anatomy. And the clean needle technique exam. Lots of money. Several weekends. And I hope NEVER to do it again! 

Learn more about Four Paws Acupuncture and our services at http://www.fourpawsacupuncture.com

Treating Canine Arthritis with Traditional Chinese Medicine

This article was written several years ago. I would like to add a few more recommended supplements such as CBD oil and  Krill Oil treats. Also for a more detailed information on natural remedies for K9 pain and common ailments we have a 2.5 hour online class for dog owners. www.udemy.com/holistic-dog-treating-k9-pain-stress-ailments-naturally/

Treating Canine Arthritis with Traditional Chinese Medicine
By: Jeanie Mossa Kraft, L.Ac.

Just like humans, many dogs suffer from arthritis pain and inflammation as they age. Joints and bones naturally degenerate over time. Fortunately, arthritis can often be managed with the help of acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, supplements and nutrition. 

Acupuncture & Arthritis

Study after study have shown that acupuncture and Chinese herbs are effective to relieve the pain and inflammation of arthritis in both humans and dogs. Canine acupuncture is also an effective treatment for hip and elbow dysplasia, ligament and tendon injuries, and many
other ailments. Acupuncture helps to increase circulation to the muscles and joint capsules, providing more oxygen and slowing cell degeneration. It also relieves painful muscle spasms and releases endorphins to make your dog feel better.

Most humans and dogs feel relaxed and pain free after an acupuncture session. Don't expect an instant one-treatment miracle, though. Acupuncture has a cumulative effect. Over time, the treatments build on one another, giving better results with each successive treatment.



Natural and alternative therapies are generally safe, effective and can be used in conjunction with western medicine.  If your dog suffers from arthritis, these are a few natural remedies that are helpful:

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate with MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) will help protect and lubricate joints. Research has shown that MSM has an strong anti-inflammatory effect. Glucosamine has been studied for over 20 years in humans, and has been proven effective to relieve arthritic joint pain. Please note that it may take four to six weeks before your dog feels the results from these supplements.

An Omega 3 essential fatty acid supplement from fish oil or Krill oil also works as an anti-inflammatory. These help to lubricate the joints and help with inflammation. Omega 3 oils will also improve the health and appearance of your dog's coat. Omega 3 oils have been proven to help reduce excess weight in people and dogs.

Nutritional supplements containing enzymes and antioxidants have been shown to reduce inflammation, promote healthy joints, increase circulation and support immune function. One product of this type in Wobenzym(r), a nutritional product for humans. I've received good
reports from people using this supplement with arthritic dogs.

Do the Math: Supplement Dosages for Dogs

When you purchase nutritional supplements for your dog, you may only be able to find human versions of the products. That's okay, but be careful about using recommended dosages. Dosage information for most supplements is based on the needs of an average person of about 125 pounds in weight. To calculate your dog's needs, consult with your pet health practitioner, or do the math yourself:

Divide your dog's weight by 125. For example: 40/125 = .32

Multiply the recommended dosage by this number: For example: 3
tablets, twice per day. 3 X .32 = .96.

So, rounding the final number a bit, the dosage of this supplement for
a 40 pound dog would be 1 tablet, twice per day.

Diet plays an essential role in decreasing the symptoms of arthritis. Studies have indicated that wheat can exacerbate pain and cause inflammation in both humans and animals. Cooking for your dog is the best option. However if you cannot make the time to cook, then make sure you are feeding your dog the best food you can find. Choose a safe brand that is organic, and
contains free-range meat. Unfortunately most grocery stores do not carry the best pet food brands. It is the smaller independently owned pet supply shops and on-line shops that carry the better quality brands.

Your dog's food should also be wheat, corn and soy free. These filler ingredients may exacerbate arthritis and often are involved in weight gain. Wheat, soy and corn products have also been linked to allergies and skin problems in animals. Make sure the treats you feed your dog are also free of wheat, corn and soy, especially if your dog is overweight, as this puts more pressure on already weakened joints. One of my favorite dog treats is Cinna-bones made by Solid Gold. These cookies are not only free of wheat, soy or corn but they also contain cinnamon which is very effective in relieving pain in arthritis made worse with cold damp weather.

These natural approaches to treating canine arthritis are generally safe and effective, but you should check with your pet health care provider before using a new supplement.

Jeanie is author of the book The Woof & Warp of Canine Pain and the NCCAOM approved continuing education course Treating Painful Canine Disorders with TCM.

For more info on veterinary acupuncture please visit Four Paws Acupuncture at the http://www.FourPawsAcupuncture.com website. 

What does animal acupuncture treat?

S

Boris of New Skete getting Laser Therapy

Many folks ask what dog ailments acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help. Acupuncture is most effective for pain. Many of my dog patients' owners will go get acupuncture for themselves after seeing how it has helped their dogs!

Please note that acupuncture is not a magic bullet. It takes more than one session to see lasting results. Combined with proper nutrition, herbs or supplements you will see results much faster. All acupuncture sessions include a combination of several other modalities such as Laser therapy, acupressure aka Tui Na, Reiki, Chinese herbal therapy and liniments, nutritional consultations and lifestyle recommendations. 

For more info on our services: https://www.fourpawsacupuncture.com/services.html

Some Conditions Treated:

• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
• Stress/Anxiety
• Movement Disorders
• Pain Management
• Low Back Pain
• Arthritis
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Low Energy
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Shoulder & Elbow 
• Injuries
• Ligament & Tendon 
• Injuries
• Recovery from 
• Fractures
• Degenerative Myelopathy
• Muscle Strains
• Off Season Agility Conditioning
• And so much more!

Jeanie Mossa MS., L.Ac. is now accepting new animal acupuncture patients in the North Shore MA areas of Salem, Beverly and Peabody. House-calls only.

To schedule an appointment please fill out our contact us form and we will respond within 24 hours during normal business hours. https://www.fourpawsacupuncture.com/contact.html