Pet Acupuncture Gaining Popularity in the Twin Cities
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: January 11, 2013
BLOOMINGTON- Isabelle is a 10 year old Bernese mountain dog.
She has arthritis, and trouble walking.
"She simply couldn't move," said owner Debbie Mansell. "She was on the kitchen floor just laying there paralyzed."
After receiving a mix of modern medications, her owner decided to scale it back a bit---choosing an ancient procedure.
"I was open to anything to make her feel better," said Mansell.
She turned to acupuncture.
A rare service offered by Dr. David Bortell at his Bloomington Clinic.
"It can help anything from vomiting, diarrhea, to pain, even help with cancer."
Bortell says animals have about 173 acupuncture points on their body.
Humans have 361.
He says inserting needles into these spots is therapeutic.
It increases blood flow and improves organ function.
"It's extremely hard to fathom how a point or one spot can affect another but there are actual studies to prove this," Bortell explained.
Isabelle has been receiving treatments for about three years.
Since that time, she's regained her strength, and can even walk again.
"It is working," said Mansell. "But more than that, she's not getting any worse, its leveled her out."
An age old remedy, letting this pooch enjoy the path ahead.
Acupuncture is most effective for chronic conditions like arthritis.
It costs about $50 per session.
She has arthritis, and trouble walking.
"She simply couldn't move," said owner Debbie Mansell. "She was on the kitchen floor just laying there paralyzed."
After receiving a mix of modern medications, her owner decided to scale it back a bit---choosing an ancient procedure.
"I was open to anything to make her feel better," said Mansell.
She turned to acupuncture.
A rare service offered by Dr. David Bortell at his Bloomington Clinic.
"It can help anything from vomiting, diarrhea, to pain, even help with cancer."
Bortell says animals have about 173 acupuncture points on their body.
Humans have 361.
He says inserting needles into these spots is therapeutic.
It increases blood flow and improves organ function.
"It's extremely hard to fathom how a point or one spot can affect another but there are actual studies to prove this," Bortell explained.
Isabelle has been receiving treatments for about three years.
Since that time, she's regained her strength, and can even walk again.
"It is working," said Mansell. "But more than that, she's not getting any worse, its leveled her out."
An age old remedy, letting this pooch enjoy the path ahead.
Acupuncture is most effective for chronic conditions like arthritis.
It costs about $50 per session.
