Acupuncture for IVDD? The Case is Compelling

by Lil Back Bracer December 21, 2016

If you’ve found our site, the odds are good that you have a dog who suffers from IVDD, or you at least have the disc disease on your radar. While there unfortunately is no cure, more and more potential treatments are being developed all the time. The good news is that IVDD is actually quite manageable now, sometimes even without surgery.

We created the L’il Back Bracer to help support the little backs who have been hurt by IVDD or similar back issues, and we get excited when we hear about new ways to help those poor pups feel better. Acupuncture has long been used to treat pain in both animals and humans, and now some health professionals are claiming that it can help with IVDD.

In addition to type, IVDD is described by level of severity, graded I - V. Dogs with grades I-IV are usually managed with pain meds, muscle relaxers, crate rest and the L’il Back Bracer. Even if your IVDD dog doesn’t need surgery, he will likely have frequent exams to monitor his pain levels and make sure the disease isn’t progressing. The goal is to keep your dog as comfortable and healthy as possible while maintaining a good quality of life.

So where does acupuncture fit into the equation? Veterinarians have been studying alternative treatments for over a decade, and a 2007 study found that dogs of all IVDD grades recovered more quickly with electroacupuncture, or EAP. A 2009 study had similar findings, and a large study in 2010 that compared three options for dogs with severe IVDD showed that EAP was more effective than anything else.

Talk to your vet about alternative treatments for IVDD, especially acupuncture. It may not prevent your pup from having surgery, but it just might help him recover sooner and get back on his feet where he’s happiest.