With limited tools available for pain and restoring function in food animals, acupuncture, long viewed by many as alternative or fringe, may deserve a second look as a practical, low-risk adjunct for cattle veterinarians.
“It’s another option, but there’s no reason to throw all the Western [medicine] out,” says Dr. Anne Murphy, speaking on Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). “You don’t use it instead of Western veterinary medicine, you use it in addition to.”
One argument for acupuncture in food animals is practicality. It requires no DEA license, carries no residue concerns and does not introduce withdrawal times. Getting trained in acupuncture could arm you with an additional tool to offer your clients for cattle health care.
How Acupuncture Works
Although acupuncture originates from TCVM, Murphy points out that it is directly related to physiology. Acupuncture points are associated with:
- high densities of free nerve endings
- blood vessels
- lymphatics
- mast cells
These sites, located along energy pathways termed “meridians” in TCVM, typically demonstrate altered electrical conductivity. Acupuncture procedures along these pathways have had measurable neurologic and analgesic responses.
“Stimulation of acupuncture points can result in pain relief due to the release of beta-endorphins,” Murphy says. “Also, stimulating these points can increase endogenous opioids in the cerebrospinal fluid.”
Beyond this, stimulating acupuncture points can influence both immune and reproductive system regulation.
Practical Entry Point for Acupuncture in Cattle
Murphy advises taking a simplified approach based on determining the clinical problem then finding the acupuncture back-shu points associated with that problem, rather than a full TCVM diagnosis. These points can be manually palpated using the ribs as guidance.
This approach is particularly well suited to cattle practice where ease of access is important. Points along the topline and hindquarters are reachable and generally well tolerated.
“On dairy cows, it’s great because they’re so skinny,” Murphy says. “There’s usually a depression, sometimes a prominence, and you use the anatomical landmarks described to figure it out.”
Acupuncture Techniques and Safety
There are a variety of acupuncture techniques that may fit the situation:
- Dry needling — Likely the most commonly thought of acupuncture technique, it involves simply inserting a needle.
- Electroacupuncture — This couples needle insertion with a TENS unit to pass an electric current between pairs of needles.
- Aquapuncture — This involves injecting a liquid, commonly vitamin B12, into acupuncture points for longer-lasting stimulation.
- Hemo-acupuncture — This involves releasing blood from injecting the patient’s own blood into acupuncture points.
Murphy also points out a number of cautions when considering acupuncture.
“[Acupuncture point] bladder 60 is between the lateral malleolus of the tibia and the calcaneian tuber,” Murphy explains. “It’s known as the aspirin point, but it also promotes parturition. So, don’t use it in pregnant cows unless you want to induce parturition.”
She also cautioned against needling near tumors due to increased blood flow and being conscious of animal tolerance to avoid needle breakage or loss.
Why Acupuncture May Be Worth Considering
Murphy acknowledges that acupuncture might not always be the answer.
“Sometimes, acupuncture is like magic, which is super exciting. It’s not always like magic, and sometimes it doesn’t work at all, but it’s definitely worth trying in certain situations,” Murphy says.
However, the same could be said for Western medicine.
When analgesic tools are scarce and animal comfort matters, acupuncture may offer a meaningful benefit at relatively low risk.
“Acupuncture is a great tool for pain management and treatment of nerve damage in food animals,” Murphy says in closing. “But hopefully, success with a few acupuncture points will inspire you to investigate TCVM further.”
