Page 616 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

• ‘stuck’ needles

• needle breakage
VetBooks.ir • needle lost in the bed.

These risks can be minimized by ensuring that the horse is:
• suitably restrained with a good headcollar and an experienced handler

• clean and dry

• in a stable with a non-slip floor: rubber matting is ideal so that any dropped needles are

easily retrieved
• calm and relaxed.

Rehabilitation

When a horse is treated with acupuncture, it is important that it is re-examined prior to each

treatment. Where possible, factors which contributed to the problem should be addressed and
removed. If appropriate, the horse’s owner should be given an exercise programme and

advice on rehabilitation.

Summary

Acupuncture can be used to achieve a therapeutic or homeostatic effect. It stimulates nerves,

increases local blood flow, relieves muscle spasm and causes the release of a number of
neurotransmitters. We still do not know all of the pathways involved, but increased interest is

stimulating new research into the neurophysiological basis of acupuncture.
Acupuncture provides an exciting tool for veterinary surgeons to use. It may be used in

conjunction with conventional treatment or as a primary therapy. It works well with manual
therapies including chiropractic and osteopathy. Acupuncture provides another option when

the results of conventional treatment have been disappointing.

MANIPULATIVE THERAPIES: OSTEOPATHY AND

CHIROPRACTIC

Introduction

Osteopathic and chiropractic medicine share many of the same treatment principles and