Complementary & Alternative Medicine EQS 200

What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine? A non-mainstream approach together with conventional medicine Alternative A non-mainstream approach in place of conventional medicine Encourages the examination of the whole body How one issue on a part of the body can cause reactivity

Never Just One…. Complementary medicine should never be used as a substitute for thorough and complete medical care In most emergency situations, Western medicine should be the first line of treatment Treatment results are only as good as the diagnosis Track down the source of the problem Know when to refer the horse back to their routine veterinarian

Acupuncture Rooted in ancient Chinese medicine “Qi” or “Chi” = currents of energy The insertion of needles into specific points on the body to produce a healing response Traditional Chinese/Eastern view Qi/Chi flow along pathways called meridians Each acupuncture point has specific actions when stimulated Looking to return the body to normality and balance Not a quick fix, can be safely used with other complementary therapies and traditional medicine

Acupuncture Points – Western Approach Each point is a small dense collection of arterioles and venules, fine nerve endings, and mast cells, which have decreased electrical resistance

Western - Purpose Acupuncture is thought to assist the body to heal itself by affecting certain physiological changes Stimulate nerves Increase blood circulation Relieve muscle spasms Cause the release of hormones such as endorphins and cortisol Causes microtrauma that can induce a small, controlled inflammatory effect, which improves local tissue blood flow

Conditions Acupuncture has been suggested to help with: Musculoskeletal problems Neurological problems Skin problems Respiratory problems Reproductive problems Gastrointestinal problems Behavior

Different Methods Solid Needles (Dry Needling) Electroacupuncture Insertion of fine, solid, metal needles Leave in place, 5-30 minutes Electroacupuncture Pulsing a mild electrical current through needles, 20-30 minutes Provide more pain relief Aquapuncture Injecting a solution (usually Vitamin B) to further stimulate the point after the removal of the needle Acupressure Applying firm manual pressure over selected acupuncture points Laser Stimulation Beam of laser light used to stimulate acupuncture points Good for areas where needling may be difficult

Chiropractic The manipulation of bones in the vertebral column such that they are operating within their ideal and have pain free range of movement The objective is return motion to restricted joints or motion units – the joint and its surrounding soft tissues A science that considers horses as an integrated animal Mainly addressing problems in the back, neck, and pelvis

Loss of Motion Why would loss of motion occur? Poor fitting saddle and tack Trauma Stall accidents Confinement Poor riding Ponying Hot walkers Difficult birth Poor conformation Poor shoeing Be sure to diagnostically evaluate your tack, shoeing, and management of your horse!

Snap, Crackle, and Pop Out of Place? Purpose Misconception that chiropractors are adjusting something “out of place” Purpose Help reduce muscle splinting (tightening in an area to avoid pain associated with muscle movement) Help reduce spams that restrict normal movement of a painful joint Improved movement is instrumental to healing and overriding muscle memory

Adjusting Process Finesse vs. strength Adjustment Short-lever, specific, high velocity controlled thrust by hand or instrument directed at a specific articulation What we don’t want to see Forceful passive movements of a joint beyond its range of motion Ex. pulling on the neck Finesse vs. strength Adjustments are not about strength, they are about correct force and knowledge Horse needs to be relaxed and calm Far too difficult to work on a tense, nervous horse

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