Wellington, FL - Dec. 20, 2015 - Wellington Equine Sports Medicine's Anne Moretta VMD MS is internationally trained in advanced equine acupuncture and balances her traditional equine sportsmedicine practice with an Eastern approach where appropriate to maintain the horse's comfort and soundness.
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) recognizes acupuncture as a viable complement to conventional and routine equine care. Acupuncture uses a single use solid metallic needle inserted through the horse's skin at specific anatomical sites (acupuncture points) to treator help prevent clinical disease, especially involving pain. The acupuncture points are stimulated with various manual manipulation techniques (dry needle), electrical stimulation (electroacupuncture), and aqueous injection (aquapuncture
Acupuncture reduces pain and inflammation by primarily stimulating the nervous system along the energy flow pathways to release naturally occurring analgesic endorphins. Acupuncture can work at the local level (direct pain relief) or indirectly (along the energy pathways to the brain). It has been shown to be specifically helpful in the treatment of back, stifle and hock pain, foot pain,arthritis and soft tissue issues. It may also be helpful in the treatment of nonsurgical colic, poor appetite, COPD, immune issues, skin and eye problems, to name a few.
Moretta was introduced to acupuncture by her husband, a hand surgeon at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, who used acupuncture as part of his pre and post surgical therapies. He suggested she try acupuncture when she had back problems immediately before an overseas consulting trip.
"I went to the acupuncturist unable to bend, unable to sit comfortably and in three days I was perfect for my 18 hour flight," said Moretta. "I believed that if acupuncture worked so well for me, it had a practical place in veterinary medicine. I set a path to study with the world's toppractitioners in France, Japan and China. I found there are many approaches to equine acupuncture diagnosis and treatment. Each approach can be custom tailored for the individual and their therapeutic needs. There is a definitive place for acupuncture in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of equine athletes."
Wellington Equine Sports Medicine's clients have increasingly seen the value in using acupuncture to help their sport horses perform their best without using prohibited medications (FEI) or other therapies prior to competition.
About Wellington Sports Medicine: At Wellington Equine Sports Medicine, Anne Moretta, V.M.D., M.S. and Suzan Oakley D.V.M., Diplomate ABVP (Equine), a certified member of The International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP), both distinguished equine veterinarians, educators and past presidents of FAEP work alongside equine rehabilitation professional Sheila Schils Ph.D M.S. The Wellington Equine Sports Medicine team evaluates the entire horse with innovative approaches and technology to resolve underlying lameness or performance issues. Their team philosophy provides a cohesive treatment plan from initial diagnosis and selection of the latest treatment options to the development of rehabilitation protocols using individually tailored steps in equine care.
