Acupuncture

Question 1

Acupuncture

Answer 1

Act of placing solid needle into the body at specific points to effect a response
-points along meridians (channels), at anatomical sights, measured by cun
-points in animals transposed from human map

Question 2

Cun

Answer 2

Width of second last rib of whatever animal you are working on
-horse- 2 finger widths
-small animals- 1 finger width

Question 3

History

Answer 3

-started in horses 900AD
-vet acupuncture common in China by 1600s
-N. America around mid 20th century from relationships creating between USA and China

Question 4

Traditional Chinese Vet medicine theory

Answer 4

-focus on flow of Qi along meridians
-meridians on body surface are connected with inner organs
-blockage of Qi results in disease, discomfort
-acupuncture can manipulate Qi along meridians and sitmulation of specific points can release block of Qi flow

Question 5

Meridians

Answer 5

-12 paired meridians corresponding to 12 organs
6 yin: lung, heart, pericardium, spleen, kidney, liver
6 yang: large intestines, small intestines, triple burner, stomach, bladder, gallbladder

-2 non-paired meridians: governor vessel (dorsal midline) and conception vessel (ventral midline)

Question 6

Different types of points

Answer 6

Points lie along meridians and some “special points” lie outside meridians

Types:
-Alarm points
-Master points
-Association points
-Tonification points
-Sedation points

Question 7

Exam for diagnostics of acupuncture

Answer 7

Diagnostic Acupuncture Point Exam (DAPE)-palpate along meridians and feel specific abnormalities at points

Question 8

Yin and Yang

Answer 8

-homeostasis between internal and external states
-Yin=fluids (includes blood)
-Yang= nourishment, metabolism (Qi)

Question 9

5 element theory

Answer 9

-Sheng and Ko cycle
-water, wood, earth, metal, fire
-categorizes organs, tissues, senses, emotions
-attribute a “soma” to the patient

Question 10

Diagnosis and treatment combinations of TCVM

Answer 10

-DAPE exam
-Yin and Yang
-Five elements
-Chinese herbal therapy
-Tongue diagnosis and pulse examination in horses

Question 11

Western theory with TCVM

Answer 11

Western scientific appraoch is not compatible because needs measurable outcomes

Created the Western Theory to explain why acupuncture may work
-acupuncture influences somato-motor and sensory afferent nerve system. May influence neuro-hormonal pathways within CNS= Neuromodulation theory

Question 12

Acupuncture point locations

Answer 12

LOCATED:
-where nerve bundles penetrate the fascia
-near major blood vessels and surrounded by small nerve bundles (NAV bundle)
-at motor points where nerves enter or exit the muscle

Question 13

What does needle insertion do?

Answer 13

Results in

1. microtrauma, neurovascular reactions = release of substance P and histamine
2. stimulates ascending influences on CNS which stimulates descending changes (axon reflexes)
   *humans can feel warmth and have a red hyperemia flare around needle

Question 14

Local effects of needle insertion

Answer 14

-capillary dilation and immune activation
-tissue repair activation
-local and supraspinal control (reduced inflammation, normalized circulation)

Question 15

Systemic effects of needle insertion

Answer 15

the needle insertion and manipulation influences myelinated A-beta fibres and unmyelinated C fibres
-effcts on pain perception/modulation
-releasse of met-enkephalin, B-endorphins, Dynorphins
-increased serotonin levels

Question 16

Gate Theory

Answer 16

-acupuncture at or for injured area, caused local axon reflex during treatment which pulls gate shut and reduces pain signals to the brain
-descending inhibitory systems push the gate shut via opioid mechanism= analgesia

Question 17

Acupuncture potential effects

Answer 17

1. pain relief, decreased inflammation
2. modification of other neuro hormonal pathways
3. modification of organ function

Question 18

Acupunture techniques

Answer 18

-dry needling
-electroacupuncture

Others:
-acupoint injection
-moxibustion
-laser
-

Question 19

Dry needling

Answer 19

-needles placed at certain points chosen after general physical, lameness evaluation, DAPE, +/- TCVM diagnosis

-needles left in animals 10-30mins

-needle manipulation (twist, and depth)

Question 20

Electroacupuncture

Answer 20

needles placed and low power, variable frequency current is applied between needles with electrostimulator
-used for 15-20 typically but some studies up to 120mins
-enhances effects, especially pain relief

Question 21

Acupoint injection

Answer 21

Hypodermic needles places at acupuncture points and a substance injected
-saline, Vit B12, low dose drug

*used to enhance and prolong effect of acupuncture
*reduce effective dose, risk adverse effects of some drugs

Question 22

Moxibustion

Answer 22

Moxa (dried leaves of Artemisia spp) placed on needle and ignited OR can burn leaves over acupuncture points

*heat may enhance acupuncture

Question 23

Laser

Answer 23

Low energy laser used on acupuncture points (and other areas)
-non invasive easier and faster than conventional needling
-very popular for athletic horses with muscle soreness, stiffness

Question 24

Acupuncture complications

Answer 24

*be careful of distal limbs, synovial structures etc.

Horses: adverse behaviour, broken needles, infection

Small animals: ingestion of needles, pneumothorax, broken needles, infection

Question 25

Common conditions treated with acupuncture

Answer 25

-back and neck pain
-adjunctive therapy in rehab
-acute lameness (tendonitis, soft tissue injury, laminitis)
-chronic lameness (heel pain, laminitis, DJD, arthritis)
-post surgical pain
-colic pain in horses

Question 26

Evidence based medicine of acupuncture

Answer 26

Few randomized controlled double blinded clinical trials with acceptable statistical power are few and far between
BUT there is some evidence to support it although it comes from humans and lab animals