Total health: Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital provides complementary care
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Media Contact: Taylor Bacon | Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator | 405-744-6728 | taylor.bacon@okstate.edu
An innovative approach combining traditional and complementary medicine has recently gained popularity in the veterinary world.
The Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital provides complementary medicine — including acupuncture, chiropractic care and other therapeutic techniques for effective pain management. It has started gaining traction due to its healing benefits.
“Acupuncture is like magic — but magic with proven benefits,” said Dr. Lara Sypniewski, clinical associate professor of small animal primary care.
Acupuncture is a form of therapeutic medicine with roots in Chinese medicine and involves inserting thin needles into specific points of the body to stimulate energy flow. The teaching hospital has multiple veterinarians who are acupuncture-certified to better serve clients and give students an additional skill set to take into practice.
“We place needles in sensitive areas to evoke a response from the body, which can help reduce pain and inflammation by tapping into the body’s natural pharmacy,” Sypniewski said.
Acupuncture is widely used for pain relief, especially in geriatric animals dealing with chronic conditions such as arthritis and intervertebral disc disease. For Sypniewski, who has a particular passion for working with older patients, acupuncture provides significant benefits.
“Many of my patients experience reduced pain and increased mobility, allowing them to lead happier lives even as they age,” she said.
OSU’s investment in acupuncture prompted a second treatment room due to rising demand. Acupuncture can offer benefits beyond physical healing.
“When I do acupuncture, I spend time with the owners discussing their pet’s environment, diet, supplements and other factors that contribute to their health,” Sypniewski said. “It’s a very holistic approach.”
The success stories that emerge from their practice demonstrate how acupuncture can extend an animal’s life and improve comfort in cases that might otherwise seem hopeless.
“One of my most memorable cases was a dog that had laryngeal paralysis, which is a breathing condition,” said Dr. Melissa Raymond, clinical assistant professor of small animal primary care. “After just one acupuncture session, the dog’s breathing improved by 80%.”
OSU has veterinarians who specialize in small animal acupuncture as well as large animal acupuncture. Dr. Alli Jennings, clinical assistant professor of food animal medicine and surgery, completed her acupuncture training during her residency.
“Most of my clients are show steers, performance bovine, such as bucking stock, some fertility work for bulls and cows, and equine acupuncture,” Jennings said.
Jennings uses an integrative approach, combining traditional veterinary medicine with acupuncture and chiropractic therapies.
“I feel like all of our modalities work better when used together,” Jennings said.
Along with Jennings’ expertise in acupuncture, she offers chiropractic treatment to equine and food animal patients. The role of chiropractic care is especially significant in treating musculoskeletal problems.
“Anything that has to do with lameness or an injury of some kind can truly benefit from chiropractic care,” Jennings said. “Even if the problem is in the foot, significant compensation often occurs in the spine and neck, which can lead to further issues with comfort and mobility over time. We can address and alleviate some of these secondary issues.”
Jennings shared a case involving a cow with nerve damage that had lost most of its functionality in its tail and hind legs. With a combination of acupuncture and chiropractic treatment, the cow regained enough sensation and control to deliver a calf successfully.
“That was the case that sold me on it being something that I needed to continue to learn and utilize,” Jennings said. “I’ve had a handful here that have had pretty significant nerve deficits from various injuries or lameness and all of them have responded, really favorably with pretty dramatic results.”
The acupuncture and chiropractic services at the OSU VMTH provide both large and small animals with a supportive approach to health care. By integrating these therapies with traditional veterinary practices, OSU veterinarians aim to enhance the comfort and long-term well-being of their patients.
Photos By: Taylor Bacon and Bailey White
Story By: Bailey White | Vet Cetera Magazine