Acupuncture rests on the belief that health requires a balanced flow of Chi, a life energy which flows throughout the body along major energy pathways or channels (meridians). This flow of energy consists of both positive (Yang) and negative (Yin) forces which travel through these meridians. Imbalances between the Yang and Yin result in blockages of the meridians and allow pathologic conditions to begin.

Simply depicted, acupuncture is a powerful type of physiotherapy which influences the activation of the central nervous system and the spinal cord. Interestingly, acupuncture can alter the physiologic state in virtually all body systems in the horse. It is also pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulant, and immunosuppressant. Not only does it have an antispasmodic effect on smooth muscle (alleviating the signs of colic for example), but also influences microcirculation and glandular secretions.

Acupuncture is a technique that has been practiced in China for thousands of years to treat many different conditions. During an acupuncture treatment, needles are placed at desired locations on the body (acupuncture points), to cause a desired healing effect. Today, acupuncture is being used all over the world both by itself and in conjunction with western medicine, to treat many different problems and as a preventative health care program in both small and large animals.