ABSTRACT
Veterinarians have an increasing variety of nonpharmacologic options available for the prevention and treatment of both acute and chronic pain. When possible, early (preemptive) use of non-pharmacologic analgesic techniques is preferred and, similar to analgesic drug administration, improves efficacy of therapy. Alternative analgesic therapies should undergo rigorous clinical testing to validate their role in the future of pain management. The use of acupuncture needles, moxibustion, injections, lasers, and magnets may constitute a surgical procedure under state veterinary practice acts and should only be performed by a licensed veterinarian who has completed an appropriate educational program on their use. Stimulation of points producing the most intense analgesia typically overlie major nerves. Electrical stimulation of the nerve endings located in the periosteum appears to be an important factor in achieving analgesia in patients with bone cancer.
