Table 1 Details of acupuncture treatment of pain along gall bladder meridian in three horses.
From: Acupuncture Treatment of Pain along the Gall Bladder Meridian in 15 Horses
Breed, sex, age, & performance of the horses | Riding problem | Location & intensity of somatic pain before acupuncture treatment | Treatment: acu-points needled (no. of needles) | Interval between the treatment & subsequent clinical examination (workload) (d) | Pain detected on the subsequent clinical examinationa | Success rate of the treatment; riders’ comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Case 1 Warmblood, gelding, 9 y, show-jumping | Bucks when ridden (2–3 wks) | Bilateral: ++ GB1–20, C1–7, GB22–23, +++ 25–30 Other: ++ BL25–31 (& the corresponding Hua Tuo extra-meridian points) | Bilateral: GB 1, 14, GB C1, 7, 23 (10 needles) | 2 (light work) | GB: no pain Other: ++ BL25–31 (plus the corresponding Hua Tuo points); ST11 | Cured Rider’s comment: significant improvement (no more bucking since the 1st day; horse more supple) |
Case 2 Thoroughbred, mare, 7 y, dressage | Runs with her head up on the right circle (in canter only; duration of 2 wks) | Right side: +++GB1–3, 20, C3–7, 22–23, ++25–29 Other: ++BL13–16 | Right side: GB1, 3, C5, 6 & 7 (5 needles) | 1 (rested) | GB: ++C5–7 Other: ++ ST10–11 | Improved Rider’s comment: cured from the initial problem (long-term/mos) |
Case 3 Pony, gelding, 10 y, show-jumping | No — clinical check before a competition | Bilateral: GB: ++ 1–20; 25–30 Other: ++ST10–11; BL118–20, BL on the level of C1–2 | Bilateral: GB22 & 23 (4 needles) | 5 (ridden/jumped twice) | No pain detected | Cured Rider’s comment: ongoing good performance after the treatment |