Acupuncture is an ancient healing art that has been used for more than 3,000 years. It was highly controversial in the 1970s, when Dr. Glassberg began his studies of this modality. Today, acupuncture is widely accepted by many in the veterinary community, and veterinary students can study acupuncture at some veterinary colleges as well as through postgraduate veterinary acupuncture programs.

Dr. Glassberg’s interest in acupuncture was sparked in 1964 when one of his highly respected professors, Dr. Dieter Delmann, discussed acupuncture in class.

In January 1973, the California Veterinary Medical Association (C.V.M.A.) appointed a committee to study acupuncture in veterinary medicine. At that time, the only information available to the committee consisted of articles written in Chinese, German, and French.

The committee had several of these articles translated into English. With the assistance of staff members from the U.C.L.A. Pain Clinic, Dr. Glassberg and several committee members then undertook a clinical field trial using acupuncture on animal subjects.

The initial field trial was encouraging, so the project was expanded through the generosity of six Southern California veterinarians who donated their time and/or their hospitals to continue the work.

The Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine felt that, because of the publicity and controversial nature of acupuncture at that time, cases should be treated in a facility set aside exclusively for acupuncture treatments. The Board also insisted that the project be administered by a nonprofit organization predominantly under the control of licensed veterinarians.

To comply with the Board of Examiners’ ruling, the National Association for Veterinary Acupuncture was formed by members of the original group of veterinarians and U.C.L.A. investigators. N.A.V.A. was incorporated as a nonprofit organization and received federal and state approvals.

The original Board of Directors included veterinary practitioners, academics from several University of California campuses, representatives from industry, acupuncturists, a lawyer, and a Certified Public Accountant.

Dr. Glassberg is not currently accepting new patients for acupuncture. Established Sunnycrest clients may contact us to discuss whether acupuncture or other pain-management options may be appropriate for their pet.