Does accupuncture work for competition horses

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Bluemoon1234

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So after drug theraphy (myotheraphy) delivered by first vet, professional saddle fitting (plus top-of-the-range new saddle), physio sessions, 50 days of complete turn away - and two sessions of accupuncture: I'm thinking about bringing my ponio back into work! Cause of back pain wasn't ever identified but xrays revealed it wasn't kissing spine. Got second opinion from one of the best vets' in my region - and he believes it is pelvis issues - but my ponio never went lame. What sparked the whole situation off was that ponio didn't feel right to me and he was showing pain responses to palpatation. But my vet reckons the pelvis issues were never too bad. After the second accupuncture treatment (spaced across two weeks): my second opinion vet reckons it's OK to start some work again.

First two weeks will be purely hand walking/lunging with then another physio treatment. Another couple of days off after physio - and then we start riding again...hopefully.

For those whom used accupuncture and/or physio for back issues: did you see an immediate improvement? How does my return-to-work plan sound? I'm hoping that if we can get my ponio right we can return to (very, very low level) ODE-ing again this season. But am I being too optimistic about what physio and accupuncture could achieve? I'm not anti-drugs and will use more myotheraphy (and if needed SI injections) if I have to. But my vet doesn't think a drug programme is necessary and I'm hoping it's not...but time will tell. Thanks in advance for sharing any experiences.
 
Until you start to work him you will not know how well he has responded to the treatment so far, not knowing the primary cause will not help the vet give a prognosis, I would follow the rehab plan very carefully, go slower or be prepared to go back a step if he is struggling in any way but unless the issue is deep rooted and flairs up again there is no reason to think he should not return to low level competing.

Plenty of horses have returned to full work after muscular back pain, often with far less treatment than yours has been given, you have clean xrays, a second opinion vet giving you the go ahead, you may not get out competing until later in the season but with a good rehab he should be fine.
I had one here that had a seriously painful pulled muscle in the pelvic area, the vets prognosis was that he may never jump again, he would require months off work, we gave him a short rest, plenty of physio and careful return to work, he was back to full work within 3 months winning ODE's and never had an issue again.
 
I would say that acupuncture will no doubt help, especially deep muscle problems, however it is not some kind of miracle cure
 
Absolutely agree. But I am hoping it might help in addition to everything else that I am doing. Was just interested in whether it helped others.
 
Completely different issue, but acupuncture was a key part of the treatment for my last horse's collateral elbow ligament problem along with laser things and a controlled exercise programme. Sorted out the problem which never recurred. Hope you have a similarly favourable outcome with yours!
 
As a side note, a couple of hospital trusts here no longer allow acupuncture as a treatment for humans as there isn't any evidence to confirm it works!

Hope it works for your horse OP :)
 
only_me said:
As a side note, a couple of hospital trusts here no longer allow acupuncture as a treatment for humans as there isn't any evidence to confirm it works!

Hope it works for your horse OP :)
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That's interesting because it was the only thing to cure my tennis elbow, as an ex nurse having gone down the physio and drug routes it was a last resort.

We have a very good equine vet here who uses it regularly with good results.

Our Labrador had back pain a few years ago and the difference it made was incredible.

The way I see it is that it is neither expensive nor invasive with no side effects that I am aware of so well worth trying.

Good luck with your horse and let us know how it goes.
 
Thank you for your feedback so far. Went back to vet for a check before starting a return to work for my gelding. Mixed news. Improvements in some areas but vet says very sore and tight in left hamstrings. Another two weeks off, more acupuncture and then we are on the tens machine. I don't know much about tens but from what I can see it's pain management primarily. Wondering if should just go down drug route instead and or as well. Don't tell anyone😀 but I am going to leave work and move to California from October. Therefore next few months are last few riding for a while if he comes right - I think we are giving up on competing at this stage. Plan for ponio while I am away is full-time turnout minding our mares so maybe six or even 12 months turn away might be the best cure in the long run.
 
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We have had good results with acupuncture on 2 horses, having been recommended by a polo groom to use that vet especially because he is qualified to use acupuncture. I can't really see that it matters whether the horse has been competing or not, the recovery will only be limited by the damage done. Ime, having had acupuncture on my own back muscles, acupuncture works on the muscle itself, while drugs, even antiinflammatories tend to mask the pain
 
Ooh what part of CA are you moving too?
I have had a mixture of Chiropractic therapy with acupuncture and vitamin B12 injected into acupuncture sites performed by a vet here. I noticed immediate results upon riding next.
My horse had nothing terribly wrong, just general soreness and wonkiness from coming back into work after a break :).
 
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