This is why your dog or cat needs acupuncture (and how to get it in Charlotte)

Dr. Meredith Binder steps into a cozy home in Charlotte, greeted by Mocha, a 10-year-old Labrador Retriever eager to welcome her.

She carries a bag of Bocce’s Berries and Cream treats into a warm and inviting space with rugs covering the floor, ready to help with an intervertebral disc issue in Mocha’s spine.

After setting down her bag, Binder turns to the dog’s owner and asks, “What do you have for comfort?” Mocha, already enjoying a Yak Cheese Chew, is one step closer to healing.

With everything prepared, Binder begins the acupuncture treatment, placing needles with precision to alleviate Mocha’s pain and improve her well-being.

Traditional Chinese medicine operates on the belief that illnesses arise from imbalances in the body’s vital energies. Acupuncture in pets might sound unusual, but it’s a key component of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, aimed at restoring energy balance to facilitate healing in our furry friends.

According to VCA Animal Hospitals, the practice calls the “pattern of these sites ‘meridians,’ which are believed to be energy channels that transmit energy throughout the dog’s body.”

The inserted needles are believed to direct “chi,” (also spelled qi) or vital energy, along the meridians. When placed at these specific points, the needles enhance blood circulation, thereby boosting the body’s healing capability.

Binder says, “Depending on the ailment or injury, there are also many herbal remedies that can be very effective adjunct treatments” to conditions like arthritis, hip dysplasia, degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc disease.

In 2013, Binder started Ashi Mobile Animal Acupuncture & Rehabilitative Medicine, providing in-home services to ensure a relaxed and nurturing environment for her patients. The veterinarian typically treats older pets with arthritis, cancer, asthma and constipation, among other issues.

“I modeled this practice to provide convenience to the client and it tends to be more relaxed, so I find I get better results,” Binder said.

Binder, with her deep knowledge of the acupuncture blueprint, can pinpoint areas that need attention. Think of it like this: Each acupuncture point is a spot where health-giving energy can nourish and revitalize.

These needles are like small signals instructing a dog’s body to “heal here” or “relax there.” Understanding this process step-by-step can help you see how each gentle needle placement can lead to big changes in the pet’s well-being.

The technique involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the pet’s body, known as acupuncture points, where nerves and blood vessels intersect.

According to Harvard Health Publishing, “imbalance blocks the flow of qi, a vital energy that regulates spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance, along meridians.”

Examination

Typically when a human goes to a clinic, the environment is spa-like. Binder seeks to create the same kind of calming space for pets to feel safe and relaxed.

“I try as best I can to replicate anything to help the animal relax,” Binder said. “I use essential oils — a little lavender as aromatherapy — and since the needles stay in for about 20 minutes, my timer plays tranquil bird sounds.”

She then checks the health of the pet she’s caring for, feeling for the acupuncture points like searching for tiny dents on a soft cushion. While she’s working, she takes time to get to know the client and the pet.

“Unlike conventional medications, acupuncture is comparatively a safer way to help with healing and pain,” Binder said.

Needle placement

Placing the needles is quick and gentle — most dogs hardly notice.

“I try to avoid areas where there is cancer or infections,” Binder said. “Moving energy means bringing more energy and blood flow to the area, which could worsen the area.”

After the needles are in, it’s time for a peaceful rest. A dog might even doze off while their body starts healing.

Acupuncture involves the use of needles to stimulate specific points on the body, whereas laser therapy — another tactic used to tackle some of the same conditions — employs light to penetrate tissues and encourage cellular repair.

Binder’s cold laser therapy service is the use of specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal. It is used to reduce pain, increase circulation and reduce swelling, as well as accelerate tissue regeneration.

Pets like Mocha simply relax comfortably during the treatments with laser safety goggles on, which provide pets with eye protection while Binder uses a handheld probe to gently touch the skin.

After treatment, Binder suggests aftercare by offering suggestions for various exercises and Chinese herbal remedies that help target the root of the issue.

Benefits for pets

Acupuncture has been demonstrated to trigger the body’s pain-relieving endorphins and anti-inflammatory chemicals, which can aid in the relief of chronic pain.

The insertion of needles at predetermined places is thought to boost blood flow, which is essential for healing and can speed up the process.

Performing home-based exercises along with acupuncture can help your pet gain strength and can benefit pets with chronic arthritis pain, neurological conditions, or those who are out of shape.

The advantages are akin to those observed in human physical therapy patients, including quicker recovery times after orthopedic surgery, faster return to activities following traumatic injury and improved function after neurological injury.

Does it cure your animal?

Acupuncture is safe for most pets but should be avoided near infections or tumors. It’s particularly effective for chronic conditions like arthritis and neurological issues, though it’s not a cure.

Typically, Binders’ pets are treated “once every two weeks and once a month on average,” but the frequency of sessions can decrease as the dog shows improvement.

Dr. Barbara Butchko, another experienced practitioner in Charlotte who owns Meridian Mobile Veterinary Care, has been practicing animal acupuncture for 12 years. She treats mainly dogs and cats, focusing on conditions like arthritis, kidney disease and anxiety.

“It’s important to note that animals who have chronic conditions like arthritis are never going to be cured through this process,” Butchko said.

What acupuncture provides is significant pain relief and improved mobility. This can greatly enhance the quality of life for pets with chronic conditions by reducing discomfort and enabling free movement.

Depending on a dog’s response and the condition being treated, the sessions might end once improvements are seen or when the underlying issue is resolved. Sometimes, acupuncture sessions continue on a less frequent, long-term basis.

VCV Animal Hospitals says: “There are few side effects with acupuncture, but some dogs may be sore or stiff following a treatment session, while other patients appear tired. These symptoms usually resolve within 24-48 hours.”

Ashi Mobile Animal Acupuncture & Rehabilitative Medicine

To schedule an appointment email: info@ashianimalrehab.com

Meridian Mobile Veterinary Care

To schedule an appointment visit: https://www.meridianmobilevet.com/scheduling

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