If your pup has arthritis, Acupuncture may be a great tool to add to your regiment. It appeared to work just as well as Prednisolone to fight inflammation and pain, with no side effects.
As our pet’s age they can develop arthritis or immune mediated diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. This study found that two points were very effective in reducing inflammation and pain. They also had good results with inflammation after surgeries.
Here is an excerpt from the study and full link below
Researchers discover anti-inflammatory effects stimulated by acupuncture.Anti-inflammatory biochemical responses are stimulated by the application of acupuncture. As a result, the body decreases swelling associated with arthritis. In addition, acupuncture prevents postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions. The research is confirmed across several studies including laboratory investigations.
A laboratory study reveals that the anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture involve the downregulation of proinflammatory cellular biochemicals. In a controlled experiment, rheumatoid arthritis rats were divided into three groups. Group A did not receive medical treatment. Group B received electroacupuncture and group C received prednisolone acetate via intragastric infusion. Prednisolone acetate is a corticosteroid medication. Acupuncture successfully reduced physical inflammation and downregulated proinflammatory biochemicals.
The non-treatment group had elevated levels of proinflammatory biochemicals and significant increases in physical inflammation. The acupuncture and prednisolone acetate groups demonstrated significantly lower levels of proinflammatory biochemicals in the bloodstream in addition to less physical inflammation measured at the ankles. Acupuncture was applied to acupoints Zusanli (ST36) and Kunlun (BL60) for thirty minutes, once per day, for ten days. Let’s take a look at the results.
Acupuncture and prednisolone acetate significantly downregulated serum TNF-α, IL-1β, and ICAM-1 in the rheumatoid arthritis model rats. Measurements taken at the ankles demonstrated significant reductions in swelling determined by the diameter of the ankles. The researchers conclude, “EA [electroacupuncture] intervention is effective in relieving RA [rheumatoid arthritis] rats’ inflammatory reactions by down-regulating the levels of serum TNF-α, IL-1β and ICAM-1.”
TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor alpha) is a cell signaling protein active in systemic inflammation. It is a cytokine comprising one of the biochemicals involved in acute phase reactions and is primarily produced by macrophages. TNF-α is implicated in the pathogenesis of severe infectious diseases including cerebral malaria. IL-1β (interleukin 1 beta) is a cytokine that contributes to inflammatory pain hypersensitivity. ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) is exploited by rhinovirus as a receptor and produces proinflammatory effects including hypersensitivity reactions.
A few things you can do to help your pet, if they have arthritis.
Make sure they are at a healthy weight. Too much weight puts undo stress on joints and bones
Make sure they are eating a species appropriate diet
Make sure they get exercise : hydrotherapy; underwater treadmills, or swimming is a great way to support the body and build up some muscle without putting undo stress on the joints
for more tips click here
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/arthritis-dogs/
Points from the study
ST 36 find the front of the knee and slide your finger down into the little groove on the lateral side of each knee
KI3 BL60 top of the hock thin skin your fingers will slide into it on either side it is kind of like our Achilles this is actually two points KI3 and BL60
