BUFFALO VETERINARIANS

SERVING BUFFALO MINNESOTA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

BUFFALO COMPANION ANIMAL CLINIC

Access your pets’ health information online.

WHAT’S NEW

Buffalo Companion Animal

Clinic is proud to offer our

clients veterinary medical

acupuncture as part of our

broad spectrum of health care

services.

Dr. Kim Nicklaus, DMV, DAAPM,

and Certified Veterinary

Acupuncturist (CVA), will

consult with you to determine

whether acupuncture is a

viable option for your

companion animal.

Acupuncture is a medical treatment

which stimulates the healing process.

It has long been used to treat a variety

of diseases and to aid in the relief of pain. Medical acupuncture may compliment traditional medical treatment plans or be used as an alternative treatment method.

Acupuncture is used to treat many conditions, manage disease, ease pain, and to promote rehabilitation. The following is only a partial list of common conditions that acupuncture can help manage:

• Arthritis

• General support with chronic illnesses

• Intervertebral disc disease (back problem)

• Gastrointestinal disorders

• Some urinary disorders

• Pain management

• Muscle tension/trigger points

• Wound management

• Some allergic disorders

• Post-surgery care

• Some neurologic disorders

Frequently asked questions:

What is medical acupuncture?

• Acupuncture entails placing extremely small needles into

various areas of the body.

• Medical acupuncture is taught and practiced using a

neuroanatomical approach to treatment. Acupuncture works because the specific points being used are stimulating underlying nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, muscles, etc.

• The focus is on the structures affected by a disease or

illness (arthritis of the knee or gastrointestinal motility disorders for example) and what nerves supply these areas or can be influenced by stimulation elsewhere in the body.

How does it work?

Needle placement has local as well as generalized effects

Local effects:

• Increased blood flow

• Activation of tissue repair factors

• Decreased local inflammation

Effects on the spinal cord:

• Signals coming from the needle site go in to the spinal

cord and cause stimulation of more signals within several spinal cord segments. The result is dulled pain signals sent up to the brain.

• The spinal cord stimulation increases “communication”

between other nerves in the spinal cord at that level, which in turn can regulate signals being sent to other areas of the body. This is why we can affect internal organ function by needling an area just under the skin on the back.

Effects on the brain:

• The brain receives nerve signals from the needling point,

through the spinal cord, which activate the release of endorphins (natural painkillers) and serotonin.

How do I learn more about acupuncture for my pet?

• Call for a consultation: If you are currently a client at the

Buffalo Companion Animal Clinic, just call for an appointment with Dr. Nicklaus.

OR

• By referral: Ask your current veterinarian for a referral to

Dr. Nicklaus for an acupuncture consultation.

What do I need to do to prepare for my pet’s consultation?

• Complete blood count and chemistry panel within the last

2 months.

• Radiographs within the last 2 months.

• List of all medications and supplements including doses,

response to these medications, etc.

• Information on food type, amount fed, treats given.

• Overview of other pertinent information regarding your

pet’s health history.

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