Acupressure is the manual stimulation of specific acupuncture points. Acupuncture was developed in Ancient China with references to acupuncture procedures dating back to as early as 198 BCE. Traditional acupuncture utilizes thin needles that are applied to specific points to stimulate the energy flow. Acupuncture medicine teaches that all people and animals have energy channels running through their bodies called meridians. The flow through these meridians can become altered due to trauma, stress and environmental factors. Acupressure is a way to influence these meridians without the use of needles.
Yes, animals can greatly benefit from acupressure!
Acupressure is becoming more common as an animal therapy option for both small and large animals. Animals suffering from arthritis, stiffness, organ dysfunction, allergies, weakened immune systems and other ailments can benefit from acupressure sessions.
Remember that acupressure (along with other forms of bodywork) should not replace veterinary medicine and you should always consult with your veterinarian before adding bodywork to your animal's health plan.
Case Study from one of Our Practitioners
Wendy is a 24yo QH/TNWalker who has had issues with her cycle since she was in her teens. More recently, when she cycled, she’d get colic like pain to her flanks and would roll. Owner would call the vet to come out thinking it was colic, and Wendy would pass feces with no issues, and was given banamine. She is so bad with her cycle that she pees on the females in the pasture and would nudge like a male would on a female.
-Opened using the Bladder meridian. Once began the process, Wendy immediately started licking and chewing. Did 3x each side.
- Association Points - none of the points along the spine triggered a response. Slight response on BL20 BL 21
- Alarm points - she was reactivate CV4 and CV 5 and CV 12 . She would take deeper breaths when these were pushed. Which is interesting considering the CV is the source point we worked on.
- Source point - Conception Vessel. She had great responses to these points. She’d breath deep especially on CV 4 5 and 12. She also liked the CV24 point too.
- Closed the vessel with the bladder meridian again. She licked and chewed through this process too. I varied the speed as well.
Horse appeared brighter and more content after the session. Prior to the session she seemed lazy or mellow. She was willing to do the session and when asked permission, she leaned into my chest with her head. Told Client to let me know if her mood has changed in field and whether her cycle has changed for the better. Will have the owner keep I touch and if need be, would do another session in a week or two. Since Wendy was so open and receptive to the treatment, it would be interesting that she had a blockage of energy that built up over time.
A week later I did the same therapy with her to reinforce the release. Wendy had experienced a colic episode, although very slight in comparison to her other episodes. That was why I came out a week later. Since the 2nd session, she was free of any episode and her hormonal imbalances seemed to be in check. Her eratic behavior during her cycle was gone and she was a happier horse with the herd.
~Victoria Whitehead
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