Healing Your Pets With Acupressure

Healing Your Pets with
Acupressure

Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM

Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM www.theonlinevet.com
Copyright 2012 Four Paws Online Ltd. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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Table of Contents
HEALING WITH ACUPRESSURE ..................................................................... 2
STEP BY STEP PET ACUPRESSURE TREATMENT ............................................. 3
PHASES OF TREATMENT .............................................................................. 4
POST TREATMENT ....................................................................................... 5
ACUPRESSURE POINTS ................................................................................ 5
ACUPRESSURE TREATMENTS FOR SPECIFIC CONDITIONS ........................... 10
DISCLAIMER: PLEASE READ ........................................................................ 12

Healing Your Pets With Acupressure www.theonlinevet.com

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Healing with Acupressure
Acupressure is closely related to acupuncture, a Traditional Chinese Medicine
(TCM) treatment that has been used for thousands of years. The problem with
acupuncture is that it does not lend itself to the do-it-at-home approach.
Acupressure, on the other hand, is something every pet owner can safely perform
at home.
TCM treats the mind-body-spirit as a single unit in harmony with nature. Health
occurs when the mind-body-spirit is in a state of harmony and in balance with
external influences.
The cornerstone of TCM is qi (or Chi pronounced chee). Chi is the life force
energy it pulses thru all life forms and is present in all of nature. According to
TCM, it is the basis of everything that exists. Chi energy is a dynamic balance
between 2 opposing forces, Yin and Yang. They are constantly in a state of flux,
where the increase of one creates the consumption of the other, and this maintains
balance. Good quality nutrition, natural foods, proper exercise, and a natural life
style help our pets have a strong and balanced Chi.


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Chi energy flows along pathways or meridians in the body. This links all parts of
the body together, such as the organs, skin, muscles and bones. The belief is that
when a pet gets sick, the natural flow of energy is out of balance.
You can correct energy imbalances by pressing certain places on the skin called
acupressure points. There are 361 acupressure points located along these
meridians, although for our purposes, we are only concerned with a few.
A note for the skeptics: acupressure works. Scientific studies have shown that the
stimulation of these specific points causes the release of brain chemicals,
endorphins, which relieve pain.
Acupressure is very safe. Even if you do not press on the exact point, coming close
to it will provide some relief, and definitely, you will do no harm.
When performing acupressure, place your thumb on the point and press straight
down into the body. Do not rub. You must press hard enough to make an
indentation in the tissue, but not cause pain (larger dogs will require more
pressure, smaller dogs less). Hold the pressure for 30-60 seconds, then release.
Step By Step Pet Acupressure Treatment
In Section IV, Illnesses and Remedies, each illness that suggests using acupressure as
a potential remedy will describe which acupressure points you should work on.
When you do use acupressure, follow these steps. For a demonstration of
acupressure treatment, refer to my video, Healing With Acupressure.
1. Select a location
Perform acupressure in a place where your pet feels safe and relaxed
not at your veterinarians. The quieter and calmer the environment, the
better.
When not to perform acupressure:
after feeding,
after exercise,


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when your pet is excited or distracted.
2. Introduce and prepare yourself
It is important to be connected with your own Chi energy and be
centered yourself.
Clear your mind, be present its helpful to perform breathing exercises.
Tell your pet what is going to happen. Affectionately pet them, connect
with them before beginning acupressure.
3. Perform Treatment
Begin treatment phases.
Phases of Treatment
1. Opening
Soft massage starting from the neck, along the spine, down over the hips.
You are applying firm pressure with your palms.
2. Point Work
Stimulate the specific acupressure points in question along the
meridians. Points are primarily located in the depressions between
muscles and bones. Use the Direct Thumb Technique, where the ball of
your thumb directly presses down on the acupressure point.
Perform Point Work from the front to the rear and/or top to bottom.
Keep both hands on your pet while performing the treatment one hand
does the point work while the other feels for reactions in the muscles
(and settles your pet as you go).
Breathe out while pressing down on a point, breathe in when letting up.
Partially use your body weight, to save stress on yourself and ensure
smooth motions.
Apply pressure at a 90 degree angle to the meridian line.
3. Closing


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The idea is to provide a stimulating yet relaxing feeling to close the
acupressure session. Position the palm of your hand in full contact with
your pet exert light pressure and glide your hand over your pets body
from front to rear and top to bottom. Start at the neck, move to the
shoulders, then down the back, along the hips, down to the hock, all the
way to the rear paws, where the session ends.
Post Treatment
As with homeopathy, sometimes your pet may initially feel worse. It can take 24
hours before your pet experiences the benefits of the treatment, so wait the full day
before you judge the effects. During this time, avoid strenuous exercise with your
pet.
Record changes in your pet in the period following acupressure.
Acupressure Points
Each acupressure point is identified by a letter and number. The following list
contains the meridians with their abbreviations:
BL: Bladder
SI: Small Intestine
TH: Triple Heater
SP: Spleen
CV: Conception Vessel
GV: Governing Vessel
PC: Pericardium (outside the heart)
ST: Stomach
HT: Heart
LIV: Liver
LI: Large Intestine
HT: Heart
LU: Lung
GB: Gall Bladder
SI: Small Intestine
KI: Kidney
In explaining acupressure points, I refer often to the locations on the spine, or
vertebrae. The locations (with abbreviations) are:
C: Cervical (Neck) T: Thoracic (Chest)
L: Lumbar (Lower Back) S: Sacral (Pelvis)


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Most acupressure points are located in depressions between muscles and bones.
When you pet your cat or dog, feel for depressions in the tissue; this is likely an
acupressure point. You may detect subtle changes in temperature over these areas.
A hot point often indicates something acute, such as a muscle spasm.
The illustrations on the following pages show the main acupressure points.


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8


9


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Acupressure is a very safe technique, and in using it, you will never do any harm
to your pet. The direct benefit is from stimulating the acupressure points, while the
indirect benefit is from regularly touching your dog or cat. The two of you will feel
more bonded and that is always a good thing.
Acupressure Treatments for Specific Conditions
1. Shoulder Pain and Arthritis
LI15 (right above shoulder, cranially)
LI14 (right below shoulder, cranially and lateral)
TH14 (immediately behind shoulder scapula/humeral joint laterally)
TH8 (on front of leg midway between elbow and wrist or carpus)
2. Elbow Arthritis
TH10 (right above elbow, behind joint)
LI10 (on lateral side of leg, right below elbow)
LI11 (lateral, right in front of elbow)
3. Hips: Hip Dysplasia, Hip Arthritis
GB29 (right in front of hip)
GB30 (right behind hip)
BL60 (in web of tissue behind hock joint)
4. Knee: Cruciate Ligament Disease and Arthritis
GB34 (immediately behind and below knee)
BL60 (the aspirin joint)

5. Lower Back (Lumbar Spine)
Bai Hui (Lumbar Sacral Space)
BL27 (Immediately in front of Pelvis )
L7 (Sciatic Pain)
BL25 (L5 L6)


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BL24 (L4 L5)
BL23 (L3 L4)
BL20 (TL junction)
6. Neck Pain
BL10 (Base of the skull and C1)
BL11 (C7 T1, right in front of scapula)
7. Anxiety
Ying Tang (at base of the nose, between the eyes)
Gall Bladder Meridian (starts at the outer corner of the eye, flows to the
outside of the ear, down the neck)
GB13 (on the outside tip of the ear )
GV24 (point immediately above the eyes)
8. Lick Granuloma
This is a common condition in dogs left alone or with anxiety the most
common area for these is the front wrist (carpus).
HT7 lateral carpus (wrist)
LI5 Medial carpus (wrist)
9. Immune System
LI4 (medial metacarpus between wrist and paw)
LI11 (lateral, and cranial to the elbow point between humerus and
radius)
ST36 (lateral knee)
GV14, (C7 T1, at base of the neck)
10. Vision the onset of cataracts plus Dental Pain
BL1 (Eye Brightness inside corner of your pets eye)
ST1 (Cataracts, conjunctivitis starts at a point immediately below the
outside point of eye this point is also good for dental pain)

About Dr. Andrew Jones
Dr. Andrew Jones is a Veterinarian in Nelson BC, Canada. He has developed a special
interest in natural and alternative ways to heal pets, and has written and produced several
books, videos and countless articles on at-home pet health care. He has also developed a
unique home study course on pet healing titled the Veterinary Secrets Revealed Complete
Home Study Multimedia Course. Although no longer in practice, Dr. Jones goal is to
empower pet owners to take a much more active role in caring for their pets health.
http://www.veterinarysecretsrevealed.com http://www.theonlinevet.com
http://www.thedogsupplement.com http://www.petfirstaidsecrets.com
http://www.thecatsupplement.com
All contents Copyright 2012 Four Paws Online Ltd. All rights reserved Worldwide.
No part of this document or the related files may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by
any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written
permission of the author. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is strictly prohibited.
Four Paws Online Ltd.
2124 Ymir Road, Nelson, BC, V1L 6Y9
(800) 396-1534 ~ support@fourpawsonlineltd.com

DISCLAIMER: PLEASE READ
All information provided on or through this book is provided for informational purposes
only, is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, care, diagnosis or treatment, and is
not designed to promote or endorse any veterinary practice, program or agenda or any
medical tests, products or procedures. This book does not contain information about all
diseases, nor does this book contain all information that may be relevant to a particular
medical or health condition. You should not use any of this information provided for
diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If your pet has or suspect that your pet
has a medical problem, you should contact your professional veterinary provider through
appropriate means.
YOU AGREE THAT YOU WILL NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES DISREGARD
ANY PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY IN SEEKING SUCH ADVICE IN
RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED THROUGH THIS BOOK. RELIANCE
ON ANY SUCH INFORMATION IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Information provided on or through this book regarding herbal treatments, home diets,
dietary supplements, acupressure, human over the counter products, aromatherapy,
homeopathy, and massage have not all been evaluated or approved for use in animals.
YOU AGREE TO CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN BEFORE BEGINNING
ANY COURSE OF TREATMENT.

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