What is Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine stainless steel needles into the skin. It has been used in China for over 2,000 years and increasingly in Western medicine since the 1970s. Acupuncture may be used to treat a wide range of common health problems and to reduce pain. For example, NICE guidelines recommend a course of 10 sessions of acupuncture for persistent, non-specific low back pain.
In September 2012, NICE recognised acupuncture’s benefits for migraines and tension-type headaches too. Acupuncture can be combined with other physiotherapy treatments such as exercise, manual therapy and relaxation techniques. It can also be used when other more conventional treatments have failed.
What happens when I see my physiotherapist for acupuncture?
Birgit and Claire are both fully qualified acupuncturists and are fully fledged members of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP)
https://www.aacp.org.uk/
When you first see your physiotherapist, he or she will take your full medical history and ask you about your current health problems. You may be asked to complete a ‘consent to treatment’ form.
Between 1 to 12 needles may be used at a time at an acupuncture session. The number of needles used will vary according to your condition and symptoms.
The needles are inserted through the skin either at the sites where you feel pain, away from the pain or a combination of both. The needles are usually left in for a few minutes up to 30 minutes. During the treatment, your physiotherapist may stimulate the needles by gently rotating them. This is done to increase the treatment’s effectiveness.
The needles are removed at the end of the session. You will then be asked to rest for a few minutes before you leave.
Following treatment
After treatment you may feel immediate relief of symptoms. Some people feel no immediate difference but a gradual improvement while others may feel an initial increase or intensification of symptoms. The latter may last for up to 24 hours but is normally followed by a period of marked improvement. Some people feel refreshed and relaxed following acupuncture while others may feel very tired. It is a good idea to arrange appointments, at least initially, so that you may go home and rest afterwards. It is best to avoid driving long distances or carrying out strenuous activity immediately following treatment.
The number of treatments varies according to the response. Generally, it is clear after 3-4 sessions if acupuncture is beneficial and a decision will be made whether to continue or not. If there is no change in symptoms no further acupuncture is required.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture is one of the many skills employed by AACP physiotherapists as part of an integrated approach to the management of pain and inflammation. Scientific research and clinical evidence have shown that Acupuncture can reduce pain by stimulating the brain and spinal cord to produce natural pain-relieving chemicals such as endorphins, melatonin (which promotes sleep) and serotonin (to promote well-being), to name but a few. These chemicals assist the body’s healing processes and offer pain relief as a precursor to other treatments such as manual therapy or exercise in order to aid recovery.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Acupuncture is a very safe procedure when carried out by fully qualified professionals. Your AACP physiotherapist is qualified to deliver this therapy and has undergone a recognised accredited training course in acupuncture.
The needles used by your physiotherapist are sterile and disposed of after one use.
Acupuncture is safe when practised by a member of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP) because of the strict hygiene guidelines that must be adhered to, and the training courses and educational updates that are required in order to stay on the membership register.
Acupuncture needles are the same width as human hair so having acupuncture does not feel the same as having an injection. The needles are disposable, pre-sterilised and individually packaged. These are often supplied in guide-tubes for easy insertion which means that there is no risk of anything touching the needle during the process. When needles are inserted, you may feel a temporary, sharp pricking sensation.
Are There any Side Effects to Acupuncture?
Any side effects tend to be mild and short-lived. They may include: fatigue, light headedness, bruising, localised bleeding or soreness or redness or mottling of the skin around the needle sites. If you continue to feel tired after a treatment, it is recommended that you do not drive or operate machinery.
If you have or are concerned about any possible side effects, please speak to your physiotherapist.
Checklist for First Session
Please ensure you have done the following before your first session of Acupuncture:
- You have signed the consent forms
- Eaten at least 4 hrs prior to treatment
Is there evidence that acupuncture works?
The use of acupuncture needling for the treatment of pain is supported by an ever-growing body of scientific evidence.
Scientific research has examined the effectiveness of acupuncture for various conditions. In recent years, large-scale studies have emerged which have helped to support the benefits of acupuncture treatment. For example, it is accepted that acupuncture can help tension-type headaches and osteoarthritis of the knee, especially when used in conjunction with physiotherapy.
Acupuncture combined with physiotherapy is widely accepted within both the National Health Service (NHS) and private practice. This is evident in the recommendation by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) that acupuncture should be available as a cost-effective short-term treatment for persistent non-specific low back pain (source: NICE 2009).
AACP members are required to keep abreast of scientific evidence and do so by meeting their Continuing Professional Development obligations.
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