1. Complementary & Alternative Medicine
EQS 200

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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, 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

9. 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

10. 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!

11. 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

12. 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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