Call today: 07496 225 569
ACUPUNCTURE
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Needling specific body parts is thought to stimulate sensory nerves under the skin and in the muscles of the body. It is believed to relieve pain by stimulating the brain and nervous system to produce pain-relieving chemicals, such as endorphins. This is thought to help promote the body's natural healing process, which can be essential in the treatment of painful musculoskeletal problems.
A course of acupuncture usually creates longer lasting pain relief than when a single treatment is used. Treatment might be once a week to begin with, then at longer intervals as the condition responds. A typical course of treatment lasts five to eight sessions.
WHAT CAN IT HELP WITH?
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which provides guidelines for the NHS on the use of treatments and care of patients, currently recommends acupuncture as a treatment for chronic tension-type headaches and migraines.
Other conditions commonly treated by acupuncture, though not officially recognised by NICE, include:
Chronic pain, suck as neck pain
Joint pain
Dental pain
Postoperative pain
DOES IT HURT?
Acupuncture needles are usually made of sterilised, stainless steel, specially prepared for the purpose of acupuncture. They are very fine and usually only a couple of centimetres long. Because the needles are so fine, it won’t feel like having an injection or a blood test, which uses needles with a cutting edge.
The sensation varies from person to person. Some people feel a slight sharpness, a tingling or a dull ache, whereas other people feel nothing at all. You shouldn't experience any significant pain. But if you do, let your practitioner know straight away.
IS IT SAFE?
Acupuncture is safe when practiced by a qualified Osteopath who has had extra training in acupuncture. There are strict hygiene guidelines: the needles are single use, disposable, pre-sterilised and individually packaged. They are also supplied in guidance tubes for easy insertion, with no risk of anything touching the needle during the process. During the treatment your Osteopath may stimulate the needles by gently moving them.
MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE
A Therapeutic technique that involves inserting fine needles into certain points across the body, to encourage healing and pain relief. Also referred to as ‘western acupuncture’ or ‘dry needling’ the practice differs from the ancient Chinese practice it derives from.
ELECTRO ACUPUNCTURE
Sometimes, low-voltage electrical stimulation can be used to assist the healing process, by connecting needles to an electro-acupuncture apparatus. These are designed to deliver low-frequency electrical impulses, which are thought to help stimulate chemicals from the brain. It is suggested that this can contribute to pain reduction, as well as aiding relaxation and sleep.
DOES IT HURT?
The electrical current used in electro-acupuncture doesn’t act on you directly. While you might feel some tingling or vibration, you shouldn’t feel any pain during the treatment, aside from a quick prick when the needle is placed. Many people report not feeling any pain, even with needle insertion.
