The acupuncture side of my practice is full and the waiting list is currently closed. If I’m able to take new patients, I’ll update this site right away, so please feel free to check back here regularly.
How does acupuncture work, from a Western/conventional medical perspective?
Modern studies looking into this question are ongoing. So far, we know that the tissue at acupoints is typically more dense with nerve fibers and blood and lymph vessels than tissues elsewhere in the body. Needle insertion causes the release of endorphins (the body’s own natural painkillers) in the brain, apparently by transmitting messages along nerves. Chemical messengers such as hormones and neurotransmitters appear to be involved as well. Acupuncture has been shown to increase blood flow, reduce levels of chemical messengers that cause inflammation, and to help regulate cells of the immune system. As with many Western treatments which are not fully understood (such as inhaled anesthesia, to give only one example), we do not need to know acupuncture’s exact mechanism of action to use it safely and to see that it is beneficial.
How does acupuncture work, from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
According to TCM principles, illness and dysfunction are caused by disharmonies in the balance among the various systems of the body. These systems are represented by channels (also called meridians) that run throughout the body. Energy, called Qi (“chee”), runs through these channels. Acupoints are specific locations on the body’s surface where the channels can be accessed with needles or other therapies (acupressure and heat, for example). Different points have different effects. Putting needles in these points harmonizes the flow of Qi to help the body bring itself back into balance, thereby improving overall health and vitality, and addressing symptoms.
What conditions can be treated with acupuncture for pets?
While veterinary acupuncture can be used to treat just about anything, it is used most often to treat pain (both acute and chronic), nerve injury, chronic inflammatory conditions such as digestive problems and allergies, and to help alleviate side effects from cancer treatment. Acupuncture for pets can safely be used alongside any conventional medical therapy and may help augment its effects. Sometimes people (and pets) come to acupuncture when conventional therapies have failed, or are not doing enough; or because they’d like to try to use less medication or get off of it entirely. In my experience, and that of many other acupuncture patients I know, improvements are often seen in the whole patient, not just in the area of the primary problem. My clients have reported that, over time, a pet they brought for treatment of arthritis pain also seems to be eating and sleeping better, is livelier, or just seems happier in general. My own personal experience has borne this out as well; I went to an acupuncturist to treat my tennis elbow, which had resisted the best efforts of five conventional medical professionals over the previous two years. My elbow got better, but I was surprised to see improvements in my mood, sleep, and digestion— chronic problems that had troubled me for years.
Is veterinary acupuncture safe? What are the potential side effects?
Yes, veterinary acupuncture is very safe when performed by a trained professional using sterile needles. A prospective study published in the British Medical Journal in 2001 showed that in over 34,000 human acupuncture treatments there were no reports of serious adverse events (defined as death or illness requiring hospitalization). Of the 34,000 treatments, in 43 instances minor adverse events were noted, mostly consisting of nausea, fainting, or brief exacerbations of their presenting problems. In less than six percent of the treatments, mild transient effects such as very minor bruising or drops of blood at the needle site were noted.
How do pets respond to acupuncture needles? Does the treatment hurt? What’s it like?
Acupuncture needles are much smaller than the needles used for vaccines and blood draws, so they don’t hurt as much (and often don’t seem to hurt at all). From human experience, the sensation at needle placement can range from a feeling of pressure or warmth to an electric “zing” or some mild temporary pain. Once the needle has been placed, if there is pain, it subsides within a few seconds to a minute (if it doesn’t, then that means the placement wasn’t perfect and the needle needs to come out!) Some pets are bothered more by being held for a needle than they are by the needle itself. For those guys, I’ve learned techniques to distract their attention and get the needles in as quickly as possible. (TREATS!) Most pets are pretty tolerant of the needles being placed and will stand or lie fairly quietly for the 3-5 minutes or so that are needed for needle placement. For dogs, I may place 5-20 needles, and for cats, typically 3-10. After the needles are in, the pet can relax (stand, sit or lie down, as they prefer) for the 20-30 minutes or so that the treatment requires. Cats seem to like the feeling of containment of being in an open-top box and tend to stay more still in one. Many pets will fall into a state of deep relaxation after about 5-10 minutes, or they seem to feel more energized; people report similar responses in about 15-50% of acupuncture treatments.
How often is pet acupuncture treatment recommended?
Typically, we start at intervals of 7-10 days, or at most two weeks. Sometimes twice-a-week treatments are recommended for a short-term severe problem like a sudden painful condition. Once we have seen a response to treatment (see below) we will adjust to a longer interval. If a condition is short-term, it can resolve in a few visits with no need for ongoing treatment. If it is a longer-term issue, especially a degenerative condition in an aging animal— like arthritis or something else that tends to get worse with time— after we see a response to treatment we will seek a regular maintenance interval which is most helpful to the pet (typically every 4-6 weeks for many older dogs and cats with chronic problems).
How soon can I expect to see changes in my pet?
Many pets seem more relaxed and/or more energized during or immediately after treatment. Acute problems (things that started a few days or so ago) will likely respond to treatment more quickly than chronic issues that have been going on for awhile (weeks to months or longer). Acute painful conditions typically show improvement after 1-2 treatments. Younger pets often respond faster than older pets. If we are treating your pet more frequently (1-2 times a week), you can expect to see changes sooner than if we are treating 1-2 times a month. Typically, I expect a young animal with a short-term condition to show significant improvement after 1-3 treatments; while an older animal with arthritis that has been going on for years may take 4-6 treatments to start showing improvement.
How can I learn more about veterinary acupuncture, and about acupuncture in general?
The website of the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) has more information about TCVM: http://www.tcvm.com/About/WhatisTCVM.aspx
“Why Did You Put That Needle There?” is a very readable e-book that answers even more questions about acupuncture and was written by practitioners at a human community acupuncture clinic in Manchester, NH. You can read or download it for free here.
How much do the treatments cost? How long do they take?
I reserve an hour for your first appointment, during which we will go over your pet’s history and current issues. I will also perform a full physical exam, and I’ll do the first acupuncture treatment. Follow-up visits are typically 45 minutes. The fee for the first visit is $115 and follow-up visits are $95. I accept checks, Venmo, cash, and credit cards. Since credit card processors charge me a fee, I pass that on, and the fees for appointments paid with credit cards are $120 and $100 respectively.
What is your cancellation policy?
Your appointment time has been set aside especially for you. Please give as much notice as possible if you cannot keep your appointment. You can change or cancel your appointment online or via phone or email up to 24 hours before it is scheduled. Within the 24-hour timeframe, please call or text my mobile number at 802-552-8224 to let me know. Cancellations or changes within the 24-hour window will result in your being billed for the full appointment amount, except in cases of severe weather or genuine emergencies. Thank you for respecting my time and the time of other clients!
Do I still need a regular vet? Will you give my pet a rabies vaccine while I’m there?
Heart of Vermont Veterinary Acupuncture focuses solely on acupuncture. The office is not a vet clinic. We do not do bloodwork or other tests, or give vaccines, or prescribe medications— these are best done as part of the overall plan for your pet that you have with your regular primary care veterinarian. Dr. Bruner will communicate with your regular vet as needed. Acupuncture is a great modality and can help pets a lot in some surprising ways (surprising for those of us used to conventional medicine), but it is not a replacement for conventional medicine. Each has its own strengths and together they complement each other.
Do you need to see my pet’s records from my regular vet?
If it’s easy to email them to me at info@heartofvermontvet.com before your first appointment, please do; but since acupuncture treatments are primarily based on the current physical exam findings and the history and current signs you report to me, the Western medical record is less important. If I need information from your regular vet, I can always call their office and ask.
Where is your office?
The office of Heart of Vermont Veterinary Acupuncture is in Berlin (Barre is the mailing address), near Central Vermont Medical Center. It’s at 652 Granger Road. Exact directions will be provided for you when you schedule your first appointment.
What are your office hours?
Typically, I am available for acupuncture in my office on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
Can I have my pet’s acupuncture done at home?
Generally, I’m too busy to offer housecalls for acupuncture. Because of travel time and other factors, a home appointment requires me to set aside 2.5-3 hours each time, and the fee is also 2.5-3 times the fee for an office appointment, but feel free to ask!