Accupunture - whos' had it?

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Silverspring

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I ask because I had the vet out yesterday to do accupunture for my girls lameness.

Vet came out and she's sore through shoulder, neck and back. She about 1/2 tenth lame on a straight line and 3/4 on a circle. She's also moving a bit strange in all paces, she's extending through the leg but when it gets to her should she sort of twists.

So the needles went in which she really wasn't too pleased about, she hit most of the trigger points and most of the needles stayed in for about 5 minutes. When some of them came out they were seriously mangled which is apparently a good thing.

Anyway vet is saying she wants to come back out next week for another treatment, at £50 a treatment plus call out charge of about £20 it's going to be expensive if the course has to run for 8 - 10 sessions...what does everyone think of it, does it really work?

We have a McTimoney person in the area who is really good but I feel since she's an old lady the McTimoney might be a bit rough on her joints etc
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We had accupuncutre, done by the vet, on my girl. The vet also did chiro. Her top neck joint was the problem, he manipulated her neck and did two lots of accupuncure and she was fine. It did take a while for the muscoes in her shoulders to match up again, but with sensible work she did well. I would keep on with the accupuncture as it was fantastic for my mare, also a friend had a gelding with lameness issues and he is sound again after a few accupuncture treatments.
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I know that the horse that had it done with me, that worked really well!

But it is really quite expensive, so maybe look for an acupuncture specialist and see how much they would charge.

Did the vet do it with needles and a liquid? or did they do the electricity one? Maybe your horse would respond better to the alternative ??
 
Vet has used both Chiro and Accupuncture on Vardi for the stiffness in his poll and after two sessions I actually had a horse who was bending for the first time.

Vet has also used the accupuncture as a form as pain relief for the casting injuries.

Personally I am an advocate.
 
I've never used acupuncture on my horse, but have myself been treated several times by acupuncture. Personally, it didn't help me - in fact it made my back pain worse, because the needles can cause bruising which can lead to pain and then cause you to tense up as a result. For me, it wasn't the right treatment.

However, I can see why it could work (and I'm usually a science sceptic). although it depends on the methodolgy behind it's use. Some people think it's all about the meridians etc running through the body - b*llocks to that I say! However, traditionally physiotheraphy does make use of trigger points to relieve muscle tension. Acupuncture done in this manner has similar results - the needles just apply pressure to the regions of tension (they can reach deeper and be more consistent and sustained than a physio's hands) and with persistent pressure these areas to release the pressure and tension. I therefore think if the problem is muscular, then acupuncture really can help.

However, it would depend what is the cause for your mare's lameness - if you don't have an idea, then I'd certainly suggest investing your money into a diagnosis rather than just treating the pain.
 
Probably worth a go. What about your insurance - does it cover alternative therapies? My horse has recently has loads of physio treatment - which we have put through my insurance and the vet has confirmed that it wont be a recurring problem therefore it hasnt been exluded on my policy. made such a difference
 
Only a vet can give acupuncture to animals as it is considered an invasive procedure.

My daughter is learning acupuncture and Ihave been used as a guinea pig on many occasions.

It works, but with anything you need the right diagnosis first.
 
Thanks for all the replies! I think I will stick with it and see how she is after a couple of treatments.

She isn't insured for vets fees, she's 23 and I never think veteran insurance is worth the money. I have savings set aside as I self insure her so I can use them, I just don't want to if it's a waste of time
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As for the injury, she over reached last year and fell flat on her face going down hill, we think she either pulled her shoulder backward when she caught herself or jarred her leg back as she hit the deck. She's an Arab, there was a new horse who clearly didn't know how pretty her paces were so she demonstrated and failed brilliantly!
 
My horse had acupuncture for an injury to his back. It was a muscular injury. He had two treatments, and it really did help to put him right. I think I paid £15 per treatment, plus the call out fee. I would have this done again if it was recommended by the vet, certainly.
He didn't seem to notice the needles going in, they stayed in for about 15 minutes, and he was very sleepy during the whole thing.
 
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