Animal Acupuncture Techniques

• Acupuncture techniques introduce acupuncture for animals
• There are various acupuncture techniques to stimulate points on a subject

Acupuncture Session & Environment

• Acupuncture should be performed in a calm and quiet environment
• The patient can be positioned in various positions; station, sternal decubitus, and lateral decubitus
• It is possible for the needles to fall out during the acupuncture treatments
• The animal may experience a sense of well-being, due to the release of endorphins, and may fall asleep

Required Knowledge

• Practitioners must have thorough knowledge of acupuncture techniques for animals
• The techniques should be comfortable for the animals
• The techniques must not endanger their health or life

Most Used Techniques

• Dry needle
• Acupressure
• Moxibustion
• Laserpuncture
• Aquapuncture/pharmacopuncture/autohemopuncture
• Electroacupuncture
• Infrared

Dry Needle Information

• Use disposable needles for dry needling and use them with or without guide tubes
• The use of disposable needles ensures safety, handling, stability, and may relieve insertion

Types of Needles

• Needle shafts can be made of stainless steel, silver, copper, gold, or be bi-metallic
• Needle handles can be made of the same material as the shaft or plastic
• Needles can be silicone-coated to reduce pain, but this may cause them to fall out easier

Dimensions of Needles

• Dimensions depend on the animal, size, and the place where they will be used
• Lengths range from 7-125mm (average 25-40mm)
• Diameters range from 0.12-0.35mm (average 0.25-0.30mm)

Types of Needles: Origins

• Korean needles
• Japanese needles
• Chinese needles

Types of Needles: Brands

• Huan Qiu
• Tenwa
• Seirin
• Power

Steps to Follow

• Steps to follow for basic needle application technique (White, 2008):
• First, insert the needle through the skin
• Insert the needle to the required depth, usually at a perpendicular position
• Manipulation of the needle if necessary
• Needle retention in situ, if necessary
• Needle removal

Needle Application

• Needle application techniques consist of:
• Insertion and removal of needles
• Superficial (Japanese) or deep (Chinese)
• Rotation (clockwise or counterclockwise)
• Piston movement (pistonage)
• Stitch opening-closing
• Patient's breathing
• Direction of meridians
• Method 9-6

Acupressure

• Acupressure is the application of pressure, using fingertips, to acupuncture points
• It can be used as a complement to acupuncture or as a substitute for animals that are very agitated

Moxibustion

• Moxibustion involves the combustion of different materials, such as Artemisia vulgaris, to stimulate acupuncture points through heat
• Apply for 5-10 minutes per acupoint
• The temperature is 45-50°C
• Stimulus: Nociceptor + ruffini thermoreceptor
• Can be direct/indirect

Moxibustion Forms

• Direct moxibustion
• Indirect moxibustion

Moxibustion Info

• Indications: Diseases that worsen with cold, tonification, immunostimulation, and herpes virus
• Dangers: Injured tissues, fever, heat pathologies, and burns
• Therapeutic properties, such as analgesic antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and healing, are associated with the properties of heat

Other Indications

• Chronic conditions
• Devitalized wounds
• Effective as a painkiller, anti-inflammatory, and promotes healing

Laser Puncture

• LASER (Light Amplification By Stimulated Emission of Radiation)
• Use collimated single-length waves

Laser Info

• Incandescent vs. Laser Light
• Incandescent has many wavelengths, it is multidirectional and incoherent
• Laser is monochromatic, directional and coherent

Main Laser Biological Effects:

• Increases ATP
• Increases cellular metabolism
• Increases DNA and RNA synthesis
• Increases angiogenesis
• Stimulates blood circulation
• Improves tissue perfusion
• Increases lymphatic drainage
• Decreases histamine levels

Low Level Laser Info

• "Low Level Laser Therapy" pulse lasers;
• Pulses have high intensity with a peak power of 90 Watt and are of very short duration (200ns)
• Optimal energy density for laser acupuncture and bio-stimulation 4 J/cm2"
• Dose should be adjusted according to individual responses

Laser Indications

• Controlling chronic and acute inflammation
• Pain control and management(analgesia)
• Promoting healing
• Controlling oedema

Contraindications of Laser

• Eye region(retina)
• Neoplasms
• Gravid uterus
• Sympathetic ganglia
• Vagus nerve
• You can use lateral and back but you can't use ventral region

Precautions of Laser

• Active epiphyses
• Bleeding
• Testicles
• Thyroid

Laser Application

• Wear personal protective eyewear
• The patient should wear eye protection devices
• Elizabethan collar
• Cut the hair and clean the skin of the area to be treated
• Assess the thermal sensitivity of the area to be treated, in order to avoid burns
• Be aware of the patient's reaction during treatment

Electroacupuncture

• The slide asks questions in relation to it's use cases

EA origins

• EA began in China 1950s
• Development of modern AE for surgery
• Initially, stimulation was done with the constant rotation of the needles
• Carried out with the help of specialized electrical appliances today

Electroacupuncture Information

• Non-pharmacological analgesic percutaneous electrical stimulation
• Electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves is based on dermatomes
• Electrical stimulation at acupuncture points(or not) through percutaneously placed needles

Electrical Acupuncture

• Parameters
• Polarity
• Frequency
• Amplitude / Intensity
• Pulse duration and phase
• Mode
• Waveform
• Pulse interval
• Ramp
• Types of stimulation
• Equipment
• Duration of processing

Polarity

• Single Phase (Direct) Current
• Continuous - flows continuously
• Pulsed - flows in the form of pulses
• Tow Phase (Alternative) Current
• Biphasic
• Continuous
• Pulsed The current, between the two needles, should flow in one direction and flow in the opposite direction

Single Phase

• Current flows continuously in a single direction
• Continuous - flows continuously
• Pulsed - flows in the form of pulses
• Galvanic current – used for iontophoresis
• Does not trigger action potentials from the nerves
• Used to measure pain threshold, auriculotherapy, and conductivity measurement
• Used for a short period
• Can produce polarization and electrolysis

Biphasic Alternating

• Current alternates direction(bidirectional) in a rhythmic pattern
• Continuous - flows continuously
• Pulsed
• Higher penetration than direct current
• Suitable For:
• Analgesia
• Atrophies / Muscle hypotrophy

Electrical Waveform Info

• The waveform must be "charge-balanced",
• Unlike TENS, in the latter the "load-balanced" is not critical, because the contact area between the electrodes and the skin is larger and the charge density will be lower
• The type of wave generated by an AE device must be: biphasic and "load balanced".

Electrical Frequency

• Number of pulses emitted per second Whether biphasic or single-phase
• Measured in Hertz(Hz) or "cycles per second"

Frequencies

• 1-1000 Hz - low frequencies: TENS
• 1-100 kHz - intermediate frequencies - RussianCurrent - There is no stimulation of the nerves- Directly stimulated muscle cells ↑ 100 kHz - high frequencies

EA low frequency

• Low frequency(2-4 Hz or 1-15 Hz) - release of beta-endorphins at the brain level and Metaenkephalins at the local level:
• Effect on Mu receptors
• Morphine-like analgesia
• Indicated in painful conditions This analgesia is reversed by naloxone(such as morphine)
• Target Tissue: Nerves
• 1-10 Hz: Relaxation, increased blood flow and endorphins 10-20 Hz: Improves muscular aerobic endurance– oxidative capacity

Analgesic effects

• TheAnalgesic effects of 2Hz are longer lasting than those of 100Hz
• If the patient is under the effect of morphine, AS may interact with and elicit a tolerance to morphine and AS
• In some cases, there may be a decrease in the effectiveness of both
• When patients are on opioids, higher frequencies should be used, close to 200Hz, promoting the release of local dynorphins and systemic serotonin
• The goal is to reduce the need for opioids through acupuncture.

Electrical Mid Frequency (EA)

• Midfrequencies(10-15Hz or 20-80 Hz)

• They produces rapid analgesia

• Release of local dynorphins – spinal cord and thalamus

• Limited release of enkephalins and beta-endorphins

• Rapid analgesia that quickly disappears when EA is terminated

• It is not reversed by naloxone.

• Surgical local anaesthesia

• Target Tissues: Muscles and nerves

• Optimal range for autonomic modulation(10-15 Hz)

• 20 - 50 Improvement of muscle tone, firmness and definition –PhaseI of Rehabilitation

• 40-70 Improves muscle lactic capacity and increases muscle volume

High electrical freq (EA)

• Highfrequencies(80 - 200 Hz) produce:
• Release of dynorphins
• Serotonin release
• Descending neural control of segmental pain and increased circulation of serotonin levels by altering the systemic pain threshold
• Causes muscle fatigue Target Tissues: Muscle
• 70-120 Hz: Improved maximum strength*
• 90-150Hz: Explosive, tensile, reactive strength improvement

Postoperative pain

• Post-operatively: opioid analgesia and high-frequency EA leads to prolonged analgesia
• Used for anaesthesia, along with slight sedation, for minor surgery where general anaesthesia is not an option.

Electrical Summary

• In EA, the low frequency is in the order of 2-4 Hz and the high frequency in the order of 50-200 Hz
• The most important frequency in EA is 2-4Hz

Amplitude

• Measurement of current or voltage (mA or V)
• Ranges from 0.5 to 20 mA, usually below 6 mA
• Stimulation levels in terms of intensity:
• Sensory - detectable, above sensitivity threshold - 0.3 - 1.0 mA)
• Motor - muscle contraction: -0.5-0.8 mA - needle near motor nerve -1.0-1.5 mA - elsewhere in muscle tissue
• Nociceptive - painful - above 10 mA These levels vary with the individual and the device

Amplification

• Constant or Continuous vs Varied or Modulated.
• Indications:
• Muscle atrophy
• Denervated muscles
• Neuromuscular
• Electrostimulation
• Chronic pain or sharp p

PW

• Phase duration - the time it takes for the current to travel from the baseline in one direction and back to base
• Pulse duration - time it takes for the current to travel from the baseline in both directions and back to base
• Single-phase currents – phase duration = pulse duration
• Two-phase currents – 2 phases = 1 pulse Symmetrical or asymmetrical

Predefined

-An important variable, although predefined in most EA devices

• High frequencies – 200 μς -Low frequencies – 100 μs.
• Durações de pulso maiores (200 µs) - desencadeiam potencias de ação nas fibras aferente finas (mielinizadas A-delta ou fibras C não mielinizadas);
• Durações de pulso menores (100 µs) – desencadeiam potenciais de ação nas fibras aferentes grossas mielinizadas (A-alfa – motoras; A-beta – mecanoreceptoras, sensitivas)

Sine Mode Wave

• Continous mode vs Burst Mode
• Dense disperse mode

Waveforms

• Sinewave
• Rectangular Wave
• Triangular wave

Duty Cycle

• Amount of time that pulses are being emitted (ON time) compared to the amount of time between pulses where no current is being emitted (OFF time) On time – continuous sequences of pulses are emitted to the patient Off time – rest period between periods ON time Total cycle time = ON time + OFF time Pulse interval= On time / OFF time (%)

Amplitude Wave

• It is the rise and all of the pulse in amplitude
• A slow increase in amplitude makes a treatment more comfortable
• 2-4 seconds of ramp ascent and 1-2 seconds of ramp descent

Two Types of Stimulation

• Low frequency/ high intensity / long pulse duration

• Acupuncture - like stimulation - Orient High Frequency / low intensity short pulse duration -''TENS - like stimulation- West

• Dense dispersed Other possible combinations

Electrical Equipment

• P32
• AS SUPER 4
• POINTER PLUS -ITO ES - 160

General Electric Procedure

• Device Switched Off
• Connect the Electrodes -Switch on the Electricity
• Select the wave type and frequency Increase the Intensity Electricity gradually
• Keep the needles in place
• Disconnect the cables the Electricity

E Durations

• 1 st section
  • 5-10 minute up to 20 -Max 3 paths of EACP (6 needles and low frequencies) Subsequent Section
  • 8-20 minutes with more Electricity
• Optimal duation of the treatment is 20 minutes

The EA

The EA and the effects of the area The EA releases and gives the body effects -Anagelsia -Motor response

• Other

The brain

The Electrical effects inhibits the pain to other area of the brain and the spinal

There are the main indications:

• Pain Management (the effects)

The Precautions and Contrad

• High intensity with seizure and high intensity
• High-intensity contraindications the effects, and not pregnant.

General Electrical Precautions

• Always High Electricity with skin contact
• High with electricity but always know

Contra Indiactions

• Tumors and heart

General Considerations

• Current runs with head, and the brain doesn't show or work through the head!! So No electrical with head!

The Bad effects

And the Low long hours will be the big bad effect -Electrolysis

• Low Electrolysis with irritation.

The Precautions

The Electricity should not be taken

Electrification The effects should not work with Brain , because Electricity is a brain short circuit.