Acupuncturists try to restore that balance. Needles are inserted in one of the 366 paired points along the meridians that correlate with different areas of the body. Kramer leaves the needles in from 2 to 20 minutes, depending on the animal and the problem. Acupuncture has been shown to release pain-reducing endorphins and to increase blood flow to an area, helping the healing process, Kramer says. He uses acupuncture for muscular-skeletal problems, such as hip displacement, paralysis and arthritis.
Acupuncture often can work in tandem with traditional medicine to eliminate a problem.
The combination is especially effective with hip displacement in dogs, Kramer says. Acupressure, in which a point is massaged with the hands for stimulation. Electrostimulation of the points with electricity that flows through the needles. For Saber, Kramer opts for electrostimulation. He hooks up wires to the four needles in Saber's leg and shoulder.