Veterinary Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine: Facts and Fallacies

oday’s interest in a diverse group of scientifically unproven therapies, collectively referred to as alternative or complementary medicine, has brought increased attention to culturally based therapeutic practices, including acupuncture and other aspects of traditional Chinese medicine. Mystic and ancient healing practices are worthy of study, both for their historical interest and because they may ultimately yield some useful therapies. Appeals for the use of these therapies are frequently based on the belief that they have been tested over time; however, veterinarians looking to make informed recommendations about them should examine the historical record. Only by accurate reference to source material can those who are interested in acupuncture, for example, determine whether its concepts are applicable in a meaningful way to modern veterinary practice. Current veterinary literature contains much misinformation regarding the nature of both modern and ancient Chinese medical practices. This column highlights some of these areas of misinformation in hopes of promoting good scholarship and helping veterinarians make informed choices.