Changes

Non invasive forms such as acupressure and laser treatments are frequently used by physiotherapists and other therapists to complement the treatments that they give.  

Non invasive forms such as acupressure and laser treatments are frequently used by physiotherapists and other therapists to complement the treatments that they give.  

==Training==

==Training==

There is no regulation of the training of veterinary acupuncturists,  but several governing bodies exist that offer acupuncture training, namely the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVIS) which has international recognition but does not have a recognised training course in the UK, and the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists (ABVA) that offers training sessions varying from introductory sessions on the safe use of needling techniques to more advanced levels of training where a Chinese model of the causes of disease is explored.  

There is no regulation of the training of veterinary acupuncturists,  but several governing bodies exist that offer acupuncture training, namely the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) which has international recognition but does not have a recognised training course in the UK, and the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists (ABVA) that offers training sessions varying from introductory sessions on the safe use of needling techniques to more advanced levels of training where a Chinese model of the causes of disease is explored.

 

==Treatments==

==Treatments==

The basis of veterinary acupuncture treatment is the insertion of fine sterile needles into the skin to stimulate the underlying nerve endings. According to a Western understanding of anatomy and physiology, this process is understood to have a neuromodulatory effect; most of the research directed towards acupuncture relates to pain relief effects. The ‘gate theory’ of pain suggests that an acupuncture treatment works by activating the downward (efferent) transmission of neurological signals within the CNS in response to afferent fibres stimulated during the treatment. Other effects that can be demonstrated during treatments include the release of tight muscle bands and amelioration of muscle spasms, which can be explained by the modifying effect to the neurological control of muscle fibre contraction. Other changes that have been consistently recorded following treatments, such as the immunological effects and changes to hormone function have not been so well explained by the current understanding of physiology in the West.  

The basis of veterinary acupuncture treatment is the insertion of fine sterile needles into the skin to stimulate the underlying nerve endings. According to a Western understanding of anatomy and physiology, this process is understood to have a neuromodulatory effect; most of the research directed towards acupuncture relates to pain relief effects. The ‘gate theory’ of pain suggests that an acupuncture treatment works by activating the downward (efferent) transmission of neurological signals within the CNS in response to afferent fibres stimulated during the treatment. Other effects that can be demonstrated during treatments include the release of tight muscle bands and amelioration of muscle spasms, which can be explained by the modifying effect to the neurological control of muscle fibre contraction. Other changes that have been consistently recorded following treatments, such as the immunological effects and changes to hormone function have not been so well explained by the current understanding of physiology in the West.  

*‘’The Complete Illustrated Guide to Chinese Medicine’’ by Tom Williams is a good general basic guide to understanding Chinese medicine and gives illustrations from human medicine.

*‘’The Complete Illustrated Guide to Chinese Medicine’’ by Tom Williams is a good general basic guide to understanding Chinese medicine and gives illustrations from human medicine.

*‘’Four Paws Five Directions’’ by Cheryl Schwartz is an excellent book for owners to read to understand Chinese medicine and where the meridians are found; it gives helpful information on diet and acupressure points for small animal owners who would like to research this area for themselves.

*‘’Four Paws Five Directions’’ by Cheryl Schwartz is an excellent book for owners to read to understand Chinese medicine and where the meridians are found; it gives helpful information on diet and acupressure points for small animal owners who would like to research this area for themselves.