Acupuncture has been used for over 3000 years in China is an ancient Chinese form of medicine. Many physiotherapists practice Western Acupuncture as a useful adjunct to more conventional treatment. Numerous studies have demonstrated positive effects of acupuncture for painful conditions such as back pain. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), a governing body looking at the clinical effectiveness of various treatments, has recently recommended acupuncture alongside exercise and manual therapy for patients suffering from low back pain.
How does acupuncture work?
Research has shown that acupuncture stimulates areas in the brain in a number of ways, the most powerful being to elevate the levels of natural pain relieving chemicals called endorphins. Acupuncture needles are usually inserted around the painful area and often some distance away. The needles are sterile and disposable to eliminate any risk of transmitting infections. Most patients report very little discomfort as the needles are less than 0.3mm in diameter. Once in place they will remain there for up to 30 minutes. During this time many people report a sense of well-being or relaxation. The number of treatments needed depends on the patient and their condition, but on average of 5-10 sessions will suffice for most conditions. Whilst pain is the main complaint of most patients, acupuncture can be used for other conditions such as Raynaud’s syndrome, hay fever, anxiety and fibromyalgia.
If you would like to know if acupuncture is suitable for you, please call 023 80089120 for more information or fill in our contact form.
Click here to find out how Acupuncture can help treat lower back pain.