Acupuncture & Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists are the largest group of medical professionals in the UK practising acupuncture. The vast majority of acupuncture treatments in the UK is for muscle, joint, soft tissue, nerve related conditions that physiotherapists treat and acupuncture is utilised as part of the overall treatment plan.
Physiotherapists base their treatments on scientific research and clinical evidence 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.
Acupuncture is provided by a physiotherapist only as an overall management approach to a defined musculoskeletal (joint, soft tissue, nerve, chronic pain) or female pelvic health related problem. Please give us a call on 01302511755 if you are unsure whether acupuncture treatment is suitable for your problem.
Jenny Blizard our Chartered Physiotherapist is qualified in acupuncture so please ensure you book your appointment with her.
Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture enhances traditional acupuncture by delivering controlled electrical pulses through acupuncture needles, directly stimulating the cells of the body which provides a whole host of therapeutic changes related to improving blood flow,
triggering the release of your own pain relieving endorphins, acceleration of healing & reducing inflammation. As the electroacupuncture machine delivers different frequencies and waveforms we can target more directly a range of effects. Not only that you can directly determine the intensity of the machine to deliver a treatment dose completely unique to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm scared of needles - can I have acupuncture?
Yes. Acupuncture needles are so much finer than the needles used for injections and blood tests and are really flexible. You may not even feel them penetrate the skin and once in place they are hardly noticeable. Occasionally they can be painful and cause a twitch response in a muscle.
Are there any side effects?
Acupuncture has virtually no side effects. Most people report a sense of calm and relaxation after the session. Occasionally there may be minor bruising at the needle point or a short-term flare-up of your symptoms as your body adjusts to treatment.
Will my private medical insurance pay for acupuncture?
As the acupuncture is administered by a qualified physiotherapist, you will be covered by physiotherapy as usual, however it is always best to check with your insurance company first that physiotherapy treatment is covered.
How many sessions will I need to feel effect?
Some people feel effect on their first session, however this effect may be short lived. This will improve with each session. Most people state they feel a gradual improvement over several weeks.
Some people gain no benefit from acupuncture so it will not be continued if we do not see benefits within the first few sessions and after adjusting the acupuncture points used.
We would recommend a course of weekly acupuncture initially for 4-6 weeks. You may then only need top up sessions every 4-6 weeks to maintain the effect. As we use acupuncture in combination with other physiotherapy techniques it is expected in many circumstances that top up sessions will not be required. This is because we use acupuncture short term to help you get back on track with activity and exercise.
How do I prepare for acupuncture?
There is no specific preparation needed for acupuncture, other than making sure you have a light snack prior to the session. We also recommend that you wear loose fitting clothing and bring shorts.
Is there anyone who cannot have acupuncture?
Acupuncture is contraindicated in some medical conditions. A full medical history will be taken prior to any acupuncture and if it is contra-indicated alternative treatment options will be provided.
Can I still give blood after having acupuncture?
Yes, as our physiotherapists are regulated by the HCPC, you will just need to provide their registration number when giving blood. This can be found on your receipt or we can provide the number on request.