You Can Now Get Acupuncture For Pets - And People Are Outraged

Acupuncture is a practice used in traditional Chinese medicine and is over 5000 years old. Although it is considered as complementary or alternative medicine, it is commonly used in Western medicine today and can even be available on the NHS to treat chronic headaches or migraines - for humans that is.

Acupuncture for pets

There is a growing trend for using acupuncture to treat pets as a complement to traditional veterinary treatments. The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) has around 1,900 members.

The practice is the same as with human acupuncture where needles are inserted into the animal's skin at certain points in an effort to stimulate blood circulation and relieve pain. For cats and dogs it is used most commonly to treat conditions like arthritis or gastrointestinal issues. It's especially popular in China but is becoming more and more common in the UK too. One Twitter-user whose cat Barney had an acupuncture treatment for his digestive problems described it as 'pure magic'.

The controversy

Several people criticise the lack of scientific evidence behind acupuncture as an effective method of pain relief, suggesting pet-owners are 'gullible' for paying out for pet acupuncture treatments as the procedure can cost around £50 per 30 minute session.

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