Acupuncture is a useful form of therapy for conditions that do not respond well to conventional veterinary treatment. Some of these include back pain, arthritis, hip dysplasia, incontinence and epilepsy.

Medical research has demonstrated that acupuncture has a modulating effect on both the body's nervous and endocrine systems.

These effects include

• Inhibition of impulse propogation along c nerve fibres.
  
  
• Modulation of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity.
  
  
• Upregulation of mRNA involved in endorphin and enkephalin production.

Though mainly used for pain relief, the following conditions can respond successfully to acupuncture therapy

Back Pain Arthritis Hip Dysplasia spinal Disc Problems Gastric ulceration Incontinence Stress associated conditions Epilepsy

Acupuncture needles are very fine and their insertion is generally well tolerated by all animals. The needles used are all single and sterile. Once inserted, they are left in place for approximately 20 minutes. The average number of treatments is four, though some conditions will require up to six for an improvement to be seen.