This is an interesting study on many levels. If Your Pup has a back injury or age related issues that effect the spine. It not only effects the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) but bone growth and density among other things. So adding acupuncture compliments physical or hydro therapy and may speed up the healing process. Even if it just age related, Acupuncture will help maintain bone density and muscle tone.
Researchers find acupuncture effective for increasing bone strength and preventing bone loss. In a laboratory investigation, electroacupuncture significantly enhanced outcomes by increasing the efficacy of physical therapy procedures. The application of electroacupuncture significantly improved bone density and strength when engaging in load-bearing exercises and treadmill running exercises. Based on the results of the study, the researchers conclude that acupuncture significantly increases bone strength and density, stimulates peripheral nerve repair, and increases the effectiveness of physical therapy procedures.
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) controls sensory and motor innervation of the limbs. Nerve damage has a direct effect on sensation and motor function, but it can also have a myriad of other effects. Neurotransmitters such as neuropeptides send chemical messages by way of the nervous system. The researchers found that “several neuropeptides may be local modulators of bone metabolism, influencing periosteal and medullary blood flow, angiogenesis, and nociception, in addition to having direct effects on osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Furthermore, a recent study showed that bone and periosteum are innervated by sympathetic and sensory nerve fibers, implicating the peripheral nervous system in bone metabolism and indicating sensory and sympathetic neurotransmitters have crucial trophic effects essential for proper bone formation.” [10] Thus, it follows that damage to the peripheral nervous system may also have a direct effect on bone health. The peripheral nervous system can regenerate muscle, bone, and skin, but the healing is slow and often incomplete; experiments have shown the importance of peripheral nerve fibers to bone homeostasis as well as fracture repair. [11] This pertains to human studies as well; it is becoming more widely recognized that strokes increase the incidence of hip fractures [12] and, “in patients with spinal cord injuries, a profound decrease of sublesional bone mineral density was measured in comparison with controls.” [13] Based on the evidence, it is reasonable to assert that restoring nerve supply is essential to proper healing after bone fracture. [14]
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Here are a few points from the study to test out on your pup.. The three acupoints the researchers chose for this study were lateral to the L4, L5, and L6 lumbar vertebrae. “Neurons of the sciatic nerve and lumbosacral plexus are beneath these acupoints. Since adequate connectivity in spinal circuits and peripheral nervous system integration are also important factors in nerve regrow, Jiaji-EA may help to facilitate sciatic nerve regeneration after the nerve injury via stimulation of the sciatic nerve and lumbosacral plexus.”
The hua tou jia ji form two rows, running the length of the spine from the neck to the sacrum. They are located 1/2 cun (or “body-inch”)* from the midline of the back. So for dogs approx 1 forefinger width for large and medium dogs and 1 pinkie finger width for small dogs
