Dr. Wittke is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist through the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. He is also an avid endorser of alternative and integrative medicine. The ancient Chinese approach of acupuncture can be used towards many medical problems including pain, immune deficiency, internal organ dysfunction, and muscular issues. His continuing education continues to broaden the scope of alternatives for treatment of each individual patient.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to heal itself and improve function naturally. This is done by inserting needles, applying heat, giving injections, or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points. Acupuncture helps the body to heal itself through natural means by increasing local circulation, causing a release of various neurotransmitters and neurohormones as well as endorphins and serotonin, and stimulating or sedating the central nervous system. At Battle Ground Veterinary Clinic, we perform traditional acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and injection of Vitamin B12 into acupuncture points.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up in others.

The meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points; the acupuncture needles unblock the obstructions at the dams and reestablish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and energy production activities as well as the circulation of their energy through the meridians.

The modern scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain or will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body's own internal regulating system.

The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results in stimulating the body's natural healing abilities and promoting physical and emotional well-being.

What Can Acupuncture Be Used For?

• Pain control in musculoskeletal problems
• Digestive disorders (often combined with herbs or Western Medicine)
• Epilepsy or seizure control (often combined with herbs or Western Medicine)
• Assistance in healing of back injuries
• Immune-mediated disease
• General weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Support in chronic renal failure
• Support in liver disease
• Support in cancer chemotherapy

One of our patients having electroacupuncture done for weakness while walking