When he can't get his patients on the examining table, Kirk Dixon is willing to make adjustments -- even if it means treating his patients on the floor.

That was the case for Heidi, an 11-year-old German shepherd who has arthritis in her spine and hindquarters.

But if an examination on the floor is unusual, so is the treatment Dixon uses -- acupuncture.

And while some people may find acupuncture a strange method for treating animals, Dixon said the insertion of needles in specific places in the anatomy is effective.

"The results are real," said Dixon, a veterinarian and owner of Hilton Head Veterinary Clinics.

According to the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, this ancient technique has been used in veterinary practices in China for more than 3,000 years.

It can be used to treat a variety of ailments, including arthritis, skin or respiratory problems, diarrhea, allergies and even reproductive problems, Dixon said. Aside from dogs, Dixon said, cats, birds, horses and cows also can be treated with acupuncture.

"It can be done on just about any animal," Dixon said. "Eighty-five percent of the animals will have a significant benefit."

But Craig Smith, a staff consultant with the American Veterinary Medical Association, said many experts still are debating the effects of animal acupuncture.

"We have lots of anecdotal evidence," Smith said. "But we don't have controlled studies. We just don't have the scientific evidence yet."

However, Smith said the association is exploring the effects of the treatment. Some research and studies have been conducted in response to the growing number of people seeking the alternative treatment for their pets.

"Certainly, in the past years, its (use) has exploded," he said. "Obviously, people believe, 'If it's good enough for me, it's good enough for my pet.' "

But Smith cautions pet owners to seek treatment from a trained veterinarian.

Dixon was trained at the Chi Institute at the University of Florida two and a half years ago. He said acupuncture is used to restore the body's flow of energy -- or chi -- which helps the body heal.

Animal acupuncture works the same as it does for humans, Dixon said. He uses 2-inch-long stainless steel needles and inserts them in specific points, called meridians, on an animal's body. There are 14 meridians from head to paw.

"Meridians are the pathways in which the energy flows through the body," Dixon said. According to the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, by opening these pathways, the animal can release endorphins, one of the body's pain control chemicals. Also, acupuncture can help stimulate nerves, increase blood circulation and relieve muscle spasms.

Although it can be used to treat many ailments, Dixon said acupuncture cannot replace surgery. He also said there are several variations of the technique, such as electroacupuncture (uses low voltage for stimulation) and aquapuncture (uses injections of vitamin B-12).

But the method Dixon uses is fairly simple. He inserts 20 needles in the various meridians and leaves them in for about 20 minutes. Sometimes, he leaves them in longer, hoping to prolong the effects. He said the results usually last about three to four days. And the tiny pricks don't hurt the animals.

"They slide in and out," he said.

Dixon said he currently treats about a handful of four-legged patients with acupuncture. He recommends animals be treated twice a week for about four weeks. Depending on the animal's condition, treatments can be tapered off after the first month.

The cost for treating an animal is about $35 a session, Dixon said.

Heidi's owner, Nina Rodman, said her dog also receives chiropractic therapy, some medication and eats natural food. But Rodman said acupuncture really has helped ease Heidi's pain.

"She really looks forward to coming," Rodman said. "The acupuncture just keeps the energy flowing, and that is especially important. Dr. Dixon has said that if it weren't for acupuncture, she wouldn't be here."

　　From IslandPacket.com