Cary vet, veterinarian in Cary, NC

Acupuncture

Dr. Martina Midkiff is proud to offer our clients acupuncture services.

Acupuncture is defined as the practice of inserting needles into the body to reduce pain or induce anesthesia. More broadly, acupuncture is a family of procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical locations on or in the skin by a variety of techniques.

The National Institute of Health has issued a consensus statement on acupuncture stating its multiple uses in both human and animal pain control and rehabilitation.

"There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture's value to expand its use into conventional medicinal protocols. It has proven itself valuable in many studies for post-operative and chemotherapy nausea, orthopedic and muscle pain (arthritis), post operative dental pain, stroke rehabilitation and more. It is an acceptable adjunct treatment or alternative treatment in many medical management programs. Findings from basic research have begun to elucidate the mechanisms of action of acupuncture, including the release of natural opioids and other peptides in the central nervous system and the periphery and subsequent changes in neuroendocrine function. Further research is likely to uncover additional areas where acupuncture interventions will be useful and widely used in both human and companion animal medicine."

We can use acupuncture therapy at Hemlock Bluffs Animal Hospital for a multitude of conditions including arthritis pain, post operative pain, organ dysfunction, nausea/vomiting and chronic pain. The insertion of the needle into the skin is virtually painless and most animals respond positively after just one treatment.

Be sure to make an appointment with Dr. Midkiff if you are interested in this alternative medical modality.