EQUINE BACK PAIN - A TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICAL REVIEW

Poor performance due to back pain is a common problem in horses. Unfor tunately, conventional Western medicine for this condition may sometim es be ineffective. However, the alternative modalities of herbal medic ine and acupuncture may be useful for this problem. In Traditional Chi nese Veterinary Medicine, back pain is divided into two types: back sp rain and back rheumatism. Eleven acupuncture techniques and four herba l medicine formulas are summarized for use in equine back pain. Some a cupuncture techniques are illustrated. A combination of herbal medicin e and acupuncture is recommended for severe back injuries.