Acupuncture
This modality is well established and has an independent society , the Australian Veterinary Acupuncture Group (AVAG). There are many vets who belong to both the AVAG and AHV, but as there are a number of vets whose only natural therapy in practice is acupuncture the groups exist separately.
This modality has its base in tradional Chinese, Japanese and Indian medicine. It involves th insetion of needles, application of pressure, or heat and/or cold application to documented points on the body of an animal. These points are part of chains of points called medidians.
Conditions which can respond particularly well to acupuncture include back pain, spinal disc prolapse, feline sinusitis, hip and stifle arthritis, incontinence and cystitis. Many other conditions also show good to excellent response.
The skeptics association believe that this effect is a placebo effect only , however there is much research supporting the view of its efficacy.
For more information about the AVAG or to locate a veterinary acupuncture practitioner in Australia use the following link; Australian Veterinary Acupuncture Group
Full text papers on acupuncture OR acupoint* OR moxibustion OR moxa are at http://tinyurl.com/452wtcp[4628 hits on Aug 11, 2011)