At Blackberry Clinic our practitioners have a number of modalites which they use to treat their patients. One of these is Acupuncture and Thanasis, one of our physiotherapists at Blackberry Clinic Milton Keynes, explains here about Western Medical Acupuncture.
What is this type of 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.
Acupuncture Physiotherapists of the AACP do not base their treatment on TCM (traditional chinese medicine) beliefs, but on evidence-based western medical acupuncture research. On this basis, acupuncture is one of the many skills employed within physiotherapy as part of an integrated approach to the management of pain and inflammation.
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.
How does it work?
Acupuncture stimulates the body to produce endorphins and oxytocin, its own pain- and stress- relieving chemicals. It promotes sleep by stimulating the release of melatonin in the body and encourages a sense of well-being by stimulating the release of serotonin. Acupuncture also stimulates nerve fibres to block out pain signals and helps to reduce the sensitivity of tender points in the body.
Evidence
Acupuncture is one of the many skills employed within physiotherapy as part of an integrated approach to treat pain and inflammation. Physiotherapists base their treatments on scientific research and clinical evidence that Acupuncture can reduce pain. There is an increasing number of research publications in the UK and worldwide proving the treatment effectiveness of acupuncture when compared to (chemical) medication for example.
In September 2012, NICE recognised acupuncture’s benefits for migraines and tension-type headaches too. Recently this year, the NICE committee made a new recommendation for primary chronic pain, based on many studies (27 in total) which showed that acupuncture reduced pain and improved quality of life in the short term (up to 3 months) compared with usual care or sham acupuncture.
Is Acupuncture safe?
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 and are much smaller than an injection needle, 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.
How long until I see an improvement in my condition?
The effects of acupuncture treatments are cumulative: different people respond in different ways and at different rates. Some people may feel an immediate relief of their symptoms whilst others may only see a gradual improvement after a few treatments. Some people may find that their condition/symptoms flare up for up to 24 hours after the treatment but then see a marked improvement.
Although acupuncture can help reduce pain, particularly when other more conventional treatments have failed, it does not work for everyone.
For more information ask your physiotherapist or other practitioner, or visit aacp.org.uk.
