第二步：精读重点段落

（Tips: 双击文中单词可以查释义并加入你的生词本哦）

第六段：
But like with acupuncture in human medicine, a great deal of scepticism surrounds the practice in pets. A 2006 study said "there is no compelling evidence to recommend or reject acupuncture" in veterinary medicine because of inconclusive and limited research.

• inconclusive 非决定性的

第十一段：
Speaking to the BBC, she explained she first sought the treatment for animals that weren't able to use traditional pain relief medication because of pre-existing liver and kidney conditions.

• liver 肝脏
• kidney 肾脏

第十二段：
"Our animals' role in our lives has changed tremendously - they used to sleep outside and now the husband is being kicked out bed to make room for the dog," she said.

第十三段：
"Preventative medications mean animals are living a lot longer. Acupuncture is just one part of wider treatment plan to make suffering animals comfortable so they can enjoy their life.

第十四段：
"The growing popularity is definitely client driven, people ask me if there's something that can be done to reduce the drug doses their pets are being given.

（Tips: 双击文中单词可以查释义并加入你的生词本哦）

Pet acupuncture: Would you try this alternative treatment?

第一段：
You have probably heard of acupuncture for humans, but the ancient Chinese therapy is growing in popularity among pet owners too as a holistic supplement to traditional veterinary care.

• holistic 全部的，整体的
• veterinary 兽医的

第二段：
Just like with people, small needles are inserted into the animals' skin at defined points to try and relieve pain through stimulated blood circulation.

第三段：
In cats and dogs it is most commonly used in musculoskeletal and chronic pain ailments such as arthritis or gastrointestinal issues.

• musculoskeletal 肌与骨骼的
• ailment 小病，疾病
• arthritis 关节炎
• gastrointestinal 胃肠的

第四段：
It emerged several decades ago but remains an unconventional and alternative therapy method that most vets don't use.

第五段：
The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) now has about 1,900 members, and they are holding a conference in Cairns, Australia this week with practitioners from 21 countries.

第六段：
But like with acupuncture in human medicine, a great deal of scepticism surrounds the practice in pets. A 2006 study said "there is no compelling evidence to recommend or reject acupuncture" in veterinary medicine because of inconclusive and limited research.

• inconclusive 非决定性的

第七段：
But thousands of owners and practitioners swear the procedure is making a difference to the quality of pets' lives - especially elderly and chronically ill animals.

第八段：
One mainstream theory in acupuncture research is this temporary pain relief stems from the release of a natural painkiller called adenosine around the insertion point.

• stem from 起源于
• adenosine腺嘌呤核苷

第九段：
Critics maintain that the improvements owners see are a transfer of a "placebo effect" to the observer.

• placebo 安慰剂

第十段：
Lara Sypniewsk, a Clinical Professor of Small Animal Medicine at Oklahoma University, is a vocal advocate of the practice who held a TedxTalk on the subject.

第十一段：
Speaking to the BBC, she explained she first sought the treatment for animals that weren't able to use traditional pain relief medication because of pre-existing liver and kidney conditions.

• liver 肝脏
• kidney 肾脏

第十二段：
"Our animals' role in our lives has changed tremendously - they used to sleep outside and now the husband is being kicked out bed to make room for the dog," she said.

第十三段：
"Preventative medications mean animals are living a lot longer. Acupuncture is just one part of wider treatment plan to make suffering animals comfortable so they can enjoy their life.

第十四段：
"The growing popularity is definitely client driven, people ask me if there's something that can be done to reduce the drug doses their pets are being given.

第十五段：
"A 100% of people are sceptical in the beginning, but quickly become flabbergasted by the results."

• sceptical 充满怀疑的
• flabbergasted 目瞪口呆的

第十六段：
Reuters spoke to vet Jin Rishan in Shanghai who said he had treated more than 2,000 family pets since the clinic opened in 2013. He claimed up to 80% of animals had seen an improvement after treatment.

第十七段：
Critics maintain that the improvements observed are a transfer of a "placebo effect" to the pet owner.

第十八段：
Liv Wills from Hertfordshire in England posted pictures on social media of her 15-year-old cat Barney calmly having acupuncture after a vet suggested it could help his worsening digestive problems.

第十九段：
"He had 14 needles, including one on his nose and he didn't even flinch. He instantly relaxed," she said.

• flinch 畏缩，畏惧

第二十段：
"I'd never heard of it in animals before, but me and my mum couldn't believe how calm he acted. Usually after the vet he would be moody, but he came up and lay down relaxed in the hall.

第二十一段：
"The effects haven't been that dramatic, but we booked him in for two more sessions after he got a bit of his appetite back."

第二十二段：
In the US, pharmaceutical companies for animals are now multi-billion dollar industries as owners try to extend the quality and length of their pets' lives.

• pharmaceutical 医药的

第二十三段：
But in 2015 the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) issued joint guidelines that labelled acupuncture a "compelling and safe method for pain management" that "should be strongly considered" as part of a pain management plan in pets.

• feline猫科的

第二十四段：
The guidance leads many to think alternative therapies like acupuncture, hydrotherapy and chiropractic care could become more popular throughout world veterinary medicine in the future.

• hydrotherapy 水治疗法
• chiropractic 脊椎推拿疗法