36 – Acupuncture for Pain Flashcards
1
Q
What is acupuncture?
A
- Act of placing a solid needle into a body at specific points to affect a response
2
Q
Acupuncture points
A
- Lie along meridians (aka channels)
- Located by anatomical description and body measurements (‘cun’: width of 2nd last rib of the animal you are working on)
- Largely transposed from human acupuncture maps
3
Q
Traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) theory
A
- Focuses on flow of Qi (energy of life)
- Qi flows along meridians
o Meridians on body surfaces are connected with inner organs - Blockage of Qi results in disease and discomfort
- *manipulation of Qi achieved by acupuncture along meridians
4
Q
Acupuncture meridians
A
- Pathways along which Qi and blood circulate
- Connect internal organs with external body
- Maintain harmony and equilibrium due to smooth Qi flow
- 12 parried meridians corresponding to 12 organs (6 Yin, 6 Yang)
- 2 additional non-paired meridians: governor vessel (dorsal midline) and conception vessel (ventral midline)
- *used for diagnosis and treatment
5
Q
Acupuncture points in TCVM
A
- Specific points along meridians
- Different types of points
- Some ‘special’ points lie outside meridians (usually species specific)
- *TCVM utilizes Diagnostic Acupuncture Point Exam (“DAPE”)
6
Q
Yin and Yang in TCVM
A
- Theory: homeostasis between internal and external state
- Opposite and interdependent
- Yin: fluids including blood
o ‘cold, dark, SOLID, heart, spleen, lungs, kidney - Yang: nourishment an metabolism (Qi)
o Light, HOLLOW, SI, stomach, LI
7
Q
What is the 5 element theory in TCVM?
A
- Categorize organs, tissues, senses and emotions into a ‘SOMA’
- Earth
- Water
- Fire
- Wood
- Metal
- Ex. bomb dog: metal and fire
8
Q
TCVM diagnosis
A
- DAPE exam
- Yin and Yang theory
- 5 element theory
- *unique treatment regime developed
- *most combine it with Chinese Herbal Therapy
- Might see in small animals: tongue (each area represents a certain meridian) diagnosis and pulse examination (people)
9
Q
Western theory intro
A
- Incompatible with TCVM system
- Requirement for measurable outcomes
- *Acupuncture proven to influence somato-motor and sensory nerve system
- May (and doss) influence neuro-humoral pathways with CNS
- “neuromodulation” theory
10
Q
Where are many acupuncture points in the Western Theory located?
A
- Where nerve bundles penetrate the fascia
- In close proximity to major blood vessels, surrounded by small nerve bundles (NAV bundle)
- At motor points, where nerves enter or exit muscle
11
Q
Needle insertion results in
A
- Microtrauma and neurovascular reactions
o Release of substance P and histamine - Stimulates ascending influences on CNS
- Stimulates descending changes (ex. axon reflex)
o Humans and animals with on hair may feel warmth and have a red flare around needle
12
Q
What are local effects of needle insertion? (western theory)
A
- Capillary dilation and immune activation
- Tissue repair activation
- Local and supraspinal control
o Reduce inflammation
o Normalize circulation
13
Q
What are the systemic effects of needle insertion? (western theory)
A
- Insertion and manipulation influences myelinated A-beta fibers and unmyelinated C fibers
- Effect on pain perception/modulation
- Release of met-enkephalin, B-endorphin, dynorphins
- Increased serotonin levels
14
Q
Western theory: gate theory
A
- Acupuncture acts at several levels to modulate peripheral and CNS response to painful stimulus
- ‘gate is closed’=dampening of pain signals to the CNS
o ‘also push gate shut from above’
15
Q
Acupuncture end result
A
- Pain relief, decreased inflammation
- Modification of other neuro-humoral pathways?
- Modification of organ function?
- *could it be useful in other ‘states’ and not just pain states
