Acupuncture

Acupuncture

Stimulating the body’s healing chemicals

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of illnesses. It can help to ease painful conditions such as arthritis and other musculoskeletal problems, as well as the symptoms of many other diseases. In many cases, acupuncture is used alongside conventional medicine as a complementary therapy. It is extremely safe when practised correctly and is very well accepted by the vast majority of animal patients.

Make an Enquiry

To enquire further about acupuncture sessions please call, email or use the contact form on this website to send me a message.

 
The Science

How does it work?

Acupuncture has been shown to interact with a number of features of the nervous system, from increasing the level of natural anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving substances in the body, to enhancing pathways in the brain and spinal cord that reduce pain sensation. More recently, we have become aware of the role of acupuncture in relieving local pain within the muscle and fascia of the body. By using acupuncture, we can influence the endocrine and limbic systems, helping to treat common medical disease and to reduce the emotional impact of disease on the animal too.

The Chinese approach to disease is very holistic and takes into account emotional, hereditary and environmental factors. The philosophy and aim of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is to restore equilibrium between physical, emotional and spiritual factors – thus restoring and maintaining health. Treatment involves using needles in specific acupuncture points to address imbalances.

Frequency

How Much and How Often?

For any pet starting acupuncture treatment I would recommend an initial course of four treatments, each about a week apart. The effects of acupuncture are not immediate and tend to build up over this time. If your pet has responded well to this initial course, then an ongoing regime can be tailored to their exact needs if it is necessary. Just as with human patients, there will be a small percentage of animals that simply do not respond to acupuncture. If there has been no improvement after the initial course then I would not recommend any further treatment.

Prices start at £70 (VAT not applicable) for each consultation. This includes a discussion of your pets progress, full examination and treatment. For visits within 30 minutes of my home, there is no additional charge for the home visit. A travel supplement will apply to those visits outside of this area, which will be calculated individually based on mileage and travel time.

Most pet insurance companies will cover acupuncture treatment once your pet has been referred by your own vet, but the funds available will vary depending on your policy. There is no charge for completion of claim forms for veterinary fees but please discuss your policy carefully with your insurance company prior to treatment if you wish to claim as the contract is between them and yourselves.

 
Collaboration

Working with Your Vet

 

If we decide between us that acupuncture could be right for your pet, the first thing that we need to do is to contact your own veterinary surgeon. This is because:

  • If more than one person is treating your pet, it is important that everyone communicates and works together to get the best possible results.
  • Your vet will be able to provide your pet's full medical history which I need to see before starting any acupuncture treatment
  • Your pet will remain under the primary care of your own vet. As a practitioner offering only referral acupuncture, I cannot provide medicines or treatment for anything other than the complaint that your pet has been referred for. I am unable to offer a 24 hour service and so you will need to contact your own vet in case of emergency.
  • Good communication between vets helps to maintain good relationships. I would always extend the professional courtesy of gaining your vet's permission to treat your pet and to answer any questions that they might have.
Positive Results

What are my clients saying?

 

I really can’t recommend Jen highly enough. My 12 year old Springer Spaniel, Belle, has been having acupuncture for arthritis with Jen for 4 years. Belle can be reactive, but she's so calm and relaxed with Jen, usually falling asleep as soon as the first needle goes in. It’s almost as if she knows that it's going to help her and she's like a different dog after her treatment. Jen is very professional and friendly with a vast knowledge of animals and a love of dogs.

S. Hadley

When Sanchez, my rescue cat, was diagnosed with asthma it was soon very clear that an inhaler was out of the question. No way was that horrid plastic object going over his face. Thankfully, Jen and acupuncture were there to help. Sanchez doesn't care about the needles! He is happy to sit quietly on Jen's lap whilst being treated. More importantly his breathing is much better.

When his brother Pedro had liver problems Jen stepped in again and Pedro too has acupuncture. Again the results are amazing and Pedro is much better. In short, I have no hesitation in recommending Jen and cannot thank her enough for helping my furry friends in their hour of need.

N. McKnight
 
 

Max & myself met Jen in the summer of 2016 at our local vets. It was here that Jen gave Max his first acupuncture treatment which consisted of about ten needles in various parts of his body. After a year Jen decided to visit her customers at our individual houses, this went down a treat and personally Max really benefited from it in his own surroundings.

I personally feel this treatment gave Max so much & helped him live a happy life, never once did he flinch or was in pain when the needles were administered. Sadly Max passed away from natural causes at the ripe old age of sixteen years Feb 2019. I believe his acupuncture enhanced his life and we were so lucky to have met Jen.

P. Saunders

Bryn started acupuncture with Jen with a combination of physiotherapy and hydrotherapy after having both his cruciate ligaments operated on. He enjoyed it so much and it helped him with tightness in the back, that we continued with the acupuncture on a regular basis. In fact I saw such a difference in him I decided to give it a go for my back and absolutely loved it as well.

L. Brown