What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a treatment that involves the stimulation of points, typically achieved through the insertion of specialized needles into the body. Acupuncture points typically lie along the body’s Meridian Channels along which Qi (energy) flows. Most Veterinary Acupuncture points and Meridian lines are transposed to animals from humans.

What is Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM)?

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), although relatively new to the Western world, is a medical system that has been used in China to treat animals for thousands of years. It is an adaptation and extension of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) used to treat humans. Speaking broadly, Chinese Medicine is a complete body of thought and practice grounded in Chinese Daoist philosophy. Though it can be traced back over two millennia in recorded history, it, like any medical system, continues to evolve today, and current modern research on Acupuncture is beginning to shed light on its mechanism of action.​

What conditions are most often treated with Acupuncture in Veterinary Medicine?

In Veterinary medicine, there is evidence of the success of Acupuncture for treating disorders of the reproductive, musculoskeletal, neurologic, pulmonary, gastrointestinal and dermatologic systems. The most common conditions that are treated include nerve injuries, intervertebral disk disease (IVDD), degenerative myelopathy, epilepsy and other central nervous system disorders; asthma, allergic dermatitis, lick granulomas; and chronic pain such as that caused by degenerative joint disease (arthritis). Dr. Ashley uses multiple acupuncture modalities including dry needling, electro-acupuncture, and aqua-acupuncture (with the use of Vitamin B12 or Adequan). In addition, when indicated by the needs of the patient, moxibustion (heat) is used. ​

What species of animals does Dr. Ashley perform Acupuncture on?

Dr. Ashley is licensed to practice TCVM-based Acupuncture on cats, dogs, and horses. She attained her credentials from Chi University in Florida, which is the premiere TCVM teaching institution in the United States.