Virginia Tech’s Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center has begun offering acupuncture to its patients.

The new service, which became available in September 2006, is being provided by Alison A. Smith, DVM, Dipl. ACVA, a clinical assistant professor in anesthesia at the Center. Smith completed the Basic Course in Veterinary Acupuncture through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) in March 2006.

“I had always had some interest in acupuncture in that it was used to effectively treat one of my own horses,” said Smith. “The fact that we can offer acupuncture in conjunction with surgery and other traditional treatments is a real advantage.”

Acupuncture, an ancient technique that originated from traditional Chinese medicine, is the practice of putting needles in specific points on the body in order to treat disease or relieve pain