What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the insertion of
needles into specific points of the body in order to create a
desired healing effect. Acupuncture has been one of the primary
methods of medicine used on people and animals in China and other
parts of the world for over 3,000 years.
The method of acupuncture will vary
depending on the patient, points used and the desired effect.
Chinese acupuncture needles are very thin needles. Other modalities
include moxibustion, aqua puncture (injecting a solution into a
point), gold bead implants, electro-acupuncture and lasers.
What is Laser Therapy?
Laser therapy involves passing a
laser beam across your horse's skin directly above the area to be
treated. To your pet it feels like some warmth is being dispensed
to the exact spot where the tissue needs help. The beam of laser
light is passed over the area for usually for 3 to 8
minutes.Your horse does not experience any pain or
discomfort.
What happens when you combine the two therapies?
The
therapy laser unit can also be used to stimulate acupuncture points
without using needles. This can be advantageous for areas of the
body or patients that are not amenable to needles.
Treatment Schedule
Every patient and condition is
different. Generally, a patient needs 3 to 8 treatments initially.
These are usually given once or twice a week. Improvement is
usually seen within 4 treatments. Sessions are tapered off as a
stable improvement is seen. Some chronic conditions will require
"tune-ups" to keep them at their desired level of function.

Dr. Strickfaden was certified by
I.V.A.S. (the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society)
in 1995 and currently utilizes acupuncture and
laser techniques regularly on her patients.