For which condition is acupuncture indicated?

In horses acupuncture is most commonly used for functional problems:

• Neurological Disorders: Traumatic Nerve Injury
• Musculoskeletal Disorders: Arthritis, Spondylosis, Kissing Spine, Long Term Injuries, Sore backs
• Respiratory Disorders: Asthma, Bronchitis, COPD, Heaves and “Bleeders”
• Gastrointestinal Disorders: Gastritis, Colitis, Nonsurgical colic
• Selected reproductive problems

Typical problems in racehorses are:

• Back problem
• Tying Up blood test back to normal
• Lameness
• Tendon and Ligament problems
• Hairline Fractures, esp pelvis
• Acupuncture can speed up the recovery after a hard race
• Acupuncture a few days before a race might improve the performance
• Problems during training will be less severe after acupuncture
• Rehabilitation after injuries and operations will be shorter
• Horses that have been off the track for a long time, even a couple of years, might be able to race again after acupuncture 

Optimum performance is crucial for a race horse to be a winner. Any restriction in range of motion or metabolism can have a serious limitation on performance and longevity of a sport horse. Regular acupuncture treatment can treat minor sports injuries as they occur and help to keep muscles and tendons resistant to injury, and can help them keep in top physical condition. Acupuncture is not a cure for poor training methods but works well for many musculoskeletal problems and pain related issues. It may also have a beneficial effect on the condition of hooves, skin, internal organs and eyes.

How often are acupuncture treatments given?

The initial acupuncture therapy in horses includes three treatments. After the first session acupuncture will be repeated after two and then after four weeks. A positive response is usually seen after the first treatment. After the initial sessions the treatments are tapered off to whatever is necessary to maintain the animal’s improvement. That can be from every few weeks to about once a year depending on what the horse is doing. Acupuncture can also be adjusted to the schedule of races in performing an acupuncture shortly before a race or after a hard race.

Is acupuncture painful?

For horses the insertion of acupuncture needles is generally painless. There can be a brief moment of sensitivity as the needle penetrates the skin. There can also be a tickling or a numbness feeling or an electrical sensation. In all animals, once the needles are in place, there should be no sensation. Most patients become very relaxed.

The only “side effect” acupuncture can have is that the patient may feel a bit down for one or two days. It is actually a sign that the treatment is working. The best is to take it easy with the horse for 1-2days, then start into easy/moderate work again.

Most horses accept acupuncture needles without any problems. The needles stay in for about 20min. It is advisable not to do the treatment in the stable (needle in a hay stack).

In quite sensitive horses, esp two or three-year-old fillies, a low energy laser or cold laser will be used, in my case the Seirin Laserpen 150mW. Each point will be stimulated for about 30sec.

A laser is generally more applicable, because the treatment time is much shorter and can be done in the stable. Also racehorses don’t like a change of routine, so treatment in the stable helps to keep them happy and relaxed.

On the legal side: According to the BHA acupuncture can be done up to the day of the race at the training yard. If it is to be done at the racecourse, the racecourse authorities have to be informed at least 72 hours in advance