My acupuncture training was truly integrated. Although usually associated with alternative or something "other" my integrated training analyzed acupuncture using all of the tools of the past three thousand years. Not only is my understanding based upon Yin & Yang, the Five Elements, and Zhang Fu, but it also arises from a foundation of modern bio-medical science with its rigorous evaluation of data and attention to tangible anatomic details.
The acupuncture process starts, with or without history, by letting the horse speak through a flowing palpation of their meridians and points listening for ah shi, an area sensitive as a result of local or distant pain. The process is Japanese and termed the DAPE (diagnostic acupuncture exam). Next I attempt interpret the underlying pattern of disturbance through not only definitions of obstructed Qi but also neurological pathways and spinal reflex arcs.
The majority of my treatments involve only "dry needling" of relevant points. This is performed with single-use, sterile, stainless steel, and very small needles that are coated to minimize injection sensation. Occasionally other modalities are employed to augment the treatment. A small electrical current can be applied between points, injections of liquids can be performed at the point, moxa can be burned near a point to warm indirectly or through the needle, and lasers can even be used to activate a point or area.
Usually the results take a couple of days to be apparent but I've often experienced much earlier feedback with some horses even becoming "awake" during the needling. Assuming there has been a response the process is ideally repeated weekly for a total of four treatments then monthly as needed. With serious life threatening cases like acute laminitis the process can be repeated daily.
My 15 years of conventional practice allow me to holistically integrate acupuncture into your horse's whole heath care plan. In the rare case that no response has been observed with the first treatment then it may be that acupuncture is not the most appropriate treatment modality for your horse. It may even be that it is a scalpel and not just a needle that will be required to help your horse. I can help you find the way.
The acupuncture process starts, with or without history, by letting the horse speak through a flowing palpation of their meridians and points listening for ah shi, an area sensitive as a result of local or distant pain. The process is Japanese and termed the DAPE (diagnostic acupuncture exam). Next I attempt interpret the underlying pattern of disturbance through not only definitions of obstructed Qi but also neurological pathways and spinal reflex arcs. 
The majority of my treatments involve only "dry needling" of relevant points. This is performed with single-use, sterile, stainless steel, and very small needles that are coated to minimize injection sensation. Occasionally other modalities are employed to augment the treatment. A small electrical current can be applied between points, injections of liquids can be performed at the point, moxa can be burned near a point to warm indirectly or through the needle, and lasers can even be used to activate a point or area.
