Acupuncture For Dogs And Cats In San Francisco
Medically reviewed by Stephen Niño Cital, MSc, RVT, SRA, CVPP, VTS and Dr. Carrie Jurney, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology) · Updated November 2026
Acupuncture at Remedy Veterinary Specialists uses fine needles placed at specific points over or near nerves, muscles, and connective tissue to reduce pain, ease muscle spasm, and support tissue healing. Our team is trained in both Chinese and Western veterinary acupuncture, and we practice it inside the hospital, alongside conventional medication, surgery, and rehabilitation. For many dogs and cats it means less medication, not more.
No referral or neurology workup is needed. Call (415) 967-3303 or use the chat to find out whether acupuncture is a good fit for your pet.
Does Acupuncture Work For Dogs And Cats?
For pain, yes, and the mechanism is straightforward. A needle placed near a nerve stimulates it, which changes how pain signals reach the spinal cord and triggers the release of the body's own pain-relieving chemicals, including endorphins. Needling a tight band of muscle, a trigger point, produces the same release seen in human patients. Electroacupuncture adds a gentle current that amplifies and extends these effects.
The evidence base is strongest for chronic musculoskeletal pain, back pain, and neurological recovery after spinal injury, which is why acupuncture is a standard component of pain and rehabilitation programs at many veterinary hospitals. For conditions unrelated to nerves, muscles, or pain, the evidence is weaker, and we'll tell you honestly when acupuncture is unlikely to help.
What acupuncture is not: a cure for the underlying disease. A dog with a ruptured disc still has a ruptured disc. Acupuncture can make that dog more comfortable and help them regain function sooner, alongside the treatment the diagnosis calls for, not instead of it.
What Acupuncture Can Help With
Acupuncture is not a substitute for a diagnosis. If your pet has a new problem, we'll examine them first and tell you honestly whether acupuncture belongs in the plan. Here is where we see it help most.
Spine, Nerve And Muscle Pain
Acupuncture is most effective for pain that starts in the nerves, muscles, and spine. We often use it for:
Back and neck pain from IVDD: pain and muscle spasm during conservative treatment, and recovery after spinal surgery
Recovery after spinal injury or FCE: supports nerve and muscle function while the spinal cord heals, alongside physical rehabilitation
Degenerative myelopathy: helps maintain comfort and mobility as the disease progresses. Remedy is currently exploring anal tone rehabilitation with electroacupuncture
Nerve pain and muscle spasm: trigger points, neck and back tension, and pain that hasn't responded well to medication
Arthritis, Chronic Pain And Cats
Acupuncture also helps pets who need more relief than medication alone gives, or who can't take it at all:
Arthritis and chronic joint pain, especially in older dogs and cats who can't take anti-inflammatory medication
Pets who have had an amputation, who often need more robust pain control than medication alone provides
Pain in cats: cats tolerate acupuncture well and have fewer safe pain medications than dogs, so it's often a good option
What A Session Is Like
Most pets settle in within a few minutes. Acupuncture needles are far thinner than the needles used for injections, and most dogs and cats tolerate or barely notice them. Your pet stays awake; we don't sedate for acupuncture, and many patients fall asleep on the mat. You stay with your pet the entire time. A session takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
Electroacupuncture
For chronic or severe nerve and muscle problems, we often add electroacupuncture, where a small electrical current stimulates the area around each needle. Pets feel a light tapping or buzzing, and most relax into it. Electroacupuncture gives a stronger and longer-lasting effect than needles alone, which matters for spinal recovery and chronic pain.
How Many Sessions
Most pets start with weekly sessions, then space out to every other week as they improve. Many owners notice a change after the second or third visit. For chronic conditions like arthritis, a maintenance session every few weeks keeps the benefit going.
What Acupuncture Costs At Remedy
We'd rather you know the cost before you come in. If your pet is already a Remedy patient, acupuncture can usually be added to an existing visit.
Initial acupuncture consultation and first treatment: $150–$170
Follow-up acupuncture session: $150–$170
Electroacupuncture session: $150–$170
Acupuncture added to another visit, such as physical rehabilitation: $60–$100
Prices are subject to change. See our price list for the most current prices.
Is Acupuncture Safe For Dogs And Cats?
Yes. Acupuncture has one of the lowest side-effect rates of any pain treatment we offer. The needles are sterile and single-use, and in trained hands the risk of injury is very low. Some pets are a little sleepy or sore for a day afterward, and occasionally a condition seems slightly worse for a day or two before it improves.
We don't use acupuncture directly over a tumor, an open wound, or an active infection. Tell us about everything your pet takes, including supplements, so we can plan around it.
Wondering If Acupuncture Could Help Your Pet?
Tell us what's going on and we'll let you know whether acupuncture is a good fit, what it costs, and how to get started. No referral needed. Call (415) 967-3303 or use the chat in the bottom right corner.
What To Expect At Your Pet's First Acupuncture Visit
A review of your pet's medical history, current medications, and any prior recommendations
A physical and neurological exam with one of our doctors, who works in tandem with Stephen so your pet gets the best possible care
Clear options and an acupuncture plan with goals, how many sessions to expect, and follow-up guidance
Your pet's first treatment, usually at the same visit, with you in the room the whole time
Please have the primary caregiver and anyone who helps make decisions at the appointment. If someone can't attend in person, we're happy to include them by phone.
Who Provides Acupuncture At Remedy
Pain Management
Stephen Niño Cital, MSc, RVT, SRA, CVPP, VTS
Stephen leads acupuncture and integrative pain management at Remedy, alongside Dr. Jurney. He is trained in both Chinese and Western veterinary acupuncture. The Chinese approach is more holistic and includes things like food energetics and massage. The Western, medical acupuncture approach is built on neuroanatomy and the body's own healing physiology. Stephen brought acupuncture to Remedy, and he works closely with our rehabilitation team so that acupuncture, exercise, and medications fit together in one plan. Learn more about Stephen.
Board-Certified Veterinary Neurologist
Dr. Carrie Jurney, DVM, DACVIM
Dr. Jurney is a board-certified veterinary neurologist and trained in the same acupuncture program as Stephen. Together, they assess your pet's condition and progress from two specialist perspectives. When a patient has a spinal or nerve problem, she and Stephen decide together where acupuncture fits. Learn more about Dr. Jurney.
Acupuncture For Pets: FAQs
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No. The needles are hair-thin, and most pets don't react when they go in. Some feel a brief pinch or a dull ache at a point, which fades in seconds. Most pets relax during the session and many fall asleep.
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For pain and recovery from nerve and spinal problems, yes. Needles placed near nerves and trigger points change how pain signals travel and release the body's own pain-relieving chemicals. It works best as part of a plan that also includes the right diagnosis, medication when needed, and rehabilitation.
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At Remedy, acupuncture sessions run $150 to $170, including the initial visit, follow-ups, and electroacupuncture. Adding acupuncture to another visit, such as physical rehabilitation, is $60 to $100. Prices are subject to change, so see our price list for the most current pricing, or call us for a quote for your pet.
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Most pets start with weekly treatments and then space out as they improve. Chronic conditions like arthritis often do best with an ongoing maintenance session every few weeks.
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Sometimes it lets us lower the dose, and for some pets who can't tolerate medication it becomes the main pain treatment. We never stop medication without a plan, so talk to us before changing anything.
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Yes, and it's one of the most common reasons we use it. Acupuncture helps with pain and muscle spasm during crate rest and supports recovery after surgery. It doesn't replace the treatment IVDD needs, so your dog should still be examined first.
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No. Pets stay awake and most settle quickly. You stay with your pet the whole time. If your pet is very anxious, tell us and we'll plan the first visit around that.
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No. You can book acupuncture directly by phone or chat, whether or not your pet has seen one of our neurologists.
Ready To Talk About Your Pet's Pain?
You don’t need a referral to schedule with Remedy. Tell us what’s going on with your pet, and our team will help you choose the right appointment and explain what to expect, including costs, before anything is done.
Chat with us now using the chat button in the bottom right corner, or call (415) 967-3303.
Open 8 am–5:30 pm, Monday–Friday.