If your dog is suffering from chronic pain or arthritis, you may be at your wit's end trying to find relief. Now, you’ve likely already spoken to your furry friend’s veterinarian to discuss pain management options. If you haven’t yet, we encourage you to do so. 

At your canine companion’s next veterinary appointment, consider asking if acupuncture would be beneficial in conjunction with your dog’s medication. For those unaware, acupuncture originated in China and is “usually used to treat inflammation and pain,” per Hill’s Pet. According to Dr. Keala Shotwell from The Drake Center for Veterinary Care when dogs get acupuncture “very tiny needles [are] inserted in specific places in the pet’s body to help with pain relief.”

“A lot of acupuncture can be used for pain management but also just for general wellness, it helps to move blood and for the Chinese culture call Chi through the body… Most of the acupuncture points we use in small animals or humans are actually little corpuscles or places where veins, arteries and nerves meet, and this on western standards is a way to help with pain relief,” said the veterinarian. 

Dr. Shotwell also shared that she believes acupuncture can be beneficial for furry friends who are suffering from intervertebral disc disease or have hip dysplasia. Hill’s Pet also reported that this form of treatment can help canine companions with arthritis and degenerative joint disease, hormonal or metabolic conditions, skin conditions, gastrointestinal problems, and idiopathic epilepsy. 

If you decide to go forward with acupuncture with your dog, you should be aware that the treatment takes between 25 minutes to an hour. Acupuncture also does not have significant side effects for furry friends. However, your canine companion may experience tenderness and have some bruises.