Title: Acupuncture Helps Boomer
In the spring of 2007, a young horse named Boomer began to change. His lips looked a little droopy, and his nose was tipped to one side. His owner, Becky Wickesberg, watched him closely and then called her veterinarian.
Dr. Paula Valeria examined Boomer and said he had facial nerve paralysis (FNP). On one side of the face, the muscles were impaired and did not move well. FNP is often caused by trauma (an injury) or by a horse lying on a halter for a long time. No one knew the exact cause in Boomer’s case.
There was no standard treatment, and Boomer began to worsen. Dr. Paula suggested acupuncture, a treatment with tiny needles. The needles go into special spots called acupoints to balance the body’s energy, or qi (pronounced “chee”).
FNP was also dangerous. Boomer’s left eyelid could not blink, so the eye was not protected. Three weeks after the problem started, the doctor began acupuncture. Needles were placed in his face, back, and legs.
At first the left side of his face was very droopy. His ear hung limply, and his muzzle (nose and mouth area) was twisted. After the first treatment he could blink weakly. After the third treatment he could blink normally and move his ear. After the fourth, he looked nearly normal. By the end of the treatment regime, he looked completely normal. Becky was ecstatic (very happy).