In 1996 , the American Veterinary Medical Association concluded that acupuncture is an approved mode for the treatment of diseases of animals.
Acupuncture has been used in veterinary medicine for thousand of years and has gained wide acceptance in the U.S. for its benefits, but until 1996, it was officially considered an alternative / experimental modality. With this stamp of approval, acupuncture will be utililized more frequently and be recommended by a greater number of veterinary practitioners.
Avian veterinarians, bird breeders and aviculturists should become more aware of the potential benefit that acupuncture can offer. It should not be used only as a last resort therapy to be tried on terminal cases, nor should it be thought of as a magical cure-all.
Acupuncture is only a part of a more complete health plan used in Traditional Chinese Medicine {TCM}. Some of the concepts of TCM will seem very foreign to a traditional Western view of medicine. Embracing these concepts is not necessary for incorporating acupuncture in the treatment of bids. However, avian practitioners should have a working knowledge of TCM concepts when using acupuncture for treatment of birds, just as the practitioner must be knowledgeable in traditional pharmacology, physiology, and diagnostics.
The theory behind acupuncture in TCM is too extensive to be covered completely in this brief article. Simply put, the acupuncture points are very specific areas located on the body that have reduced electrical impedance and are connected by defined pathways or channels which course through the body. The ancient Chinese recognized 12 paired and 2 unpaired channels through which energy {Qi} flows, and which can be manipulated {stimulated or sedated} by specific acupuncture points.
One other theoretical concept embraced in TCM is that of Yen and Yang. Everything falls into a category of Yen and Yang which are opposite categories, yet are mutual dependent on each other. Health is a state of being in which Yen and Yang are in a harmonious yet dynamic balance with one another.
Historically, true avian acupuncture points from ancient Chinese texts illustrate only a relatively few points for use on domestic fowl. Many of these avian acupuncture points are located on the chickens tongue, wattle and combs-obviously not present or feasible in our psittacine pets. Therefore many of the acupuncture points used on birds are modifications of traditional points used in mammals. The birds unique anatomy must be completely understood in order to locate and manipulate these mammalian points.
The methodology used is to insert very , very fine needles in the acupuncture points along various energy meridians {channels} of the body. The proper placement of the needles enables the body to restore itself to a condition of healthy balance and wellness. The meridians are paired as Yen and Yang, the flowing energy {Qi} which circulates along the meridians maintaining the balance of Yen and Yang in the body. Acupuncture acts by balancing the body and helping it to return to a state of homeostasis.
Experimental and clinical evidence has shown that acupuncture not only inhibits pain but can also have direct effects on circulation, blood pressure, the immune system, and the production of blood cells.
In avian medicine, acupuncture has shown to have a beneficial effect on acute as well as chronic problems. Feather picking, egg binding, sinusitis, as well as emergency medicine are just a few areas where acupuncture has been used in birds.
Since acupuncture is a methodology to maintain balance and health of a bird, its use has numerous possibilities. As more and more cases are recorded, documented and reported in the literature, acupuncture popularity will continue to increase. Hopefully, more avian practitioners will utilize acupuncture as part of their arsenal in health maintenance of our pet birds.
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