Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine, stainless steel needles into the skin, which stimulates the body to produce chemicals called endorphins and oxytocin, which are the body’s own pain relieving chemicals.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been used in China for over 2,000 years and it is being used increasingly in Western medicine by specially trained physiotherapists for pain relief as the body of scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness grows. Our Physiotherapist, Laura Oxley, has been using acupuncture alongside her physiotherapy practice for 20 years.
How does acupuncture work?
It involves the insertion of fine, stainless steel needles into the skin, a process which stimulates the body to produce chemicals called endorphins and oxytocin, which are the body’s own pain relieving chemicals. It has other potential benefits such as promoting sleep due to the release of melatonin, and a sense of well-being by stimulating the production of serotonin.
What happens during the treatment?
It involves the insertion of fine, stainless steel needles into the skin, a process which stimulates the body to produce chemicals called endorphins and oxytocin, which are the body’s own pain relieving chemicals. It has other potential benefits such as promoting sleep due to the release of melatonin, and a sense of well-being by stimulating the production of serotonin.
How is acupuncture performed?
The needles are inserted either at the sites where you feel pain, sites away from the pain or a combination of both. They can be left in from a few seconds up to 30 minutes, and the physiotherapist may gently stimulate them at times by rotating them.
Does having acupuncture hurt?
As the needles are very sharp and very fine, it is unusual to feel anything other than a sharp scratch when they are first inserted. During treatment, acupuncture patients may notice sensation such as a dull ache, warmth or tingling around the needle site, when indicates that the needle is stimulating the nervous system to produce the beneficial pain relieveing and feel-good chemicals. If any other sensation is felt, such as sharp or unpleasant pain, your physiotherapist will remove them immediately.
Does acupuncture leave a mark on the skin?
As acupuncture involves inserting needles into the skin, there is the risk of bruising. However, as the needles are so fine and so sharp, this is unusual unless the patient is has altered clotting or is taking blood thinning medication. Your physiotherapist will check for risk factors such as these during your screening and consent process.
Sometimes you will notice the skin around the needles becomes reddened during treatment. This indicates that the needle is causing the beneficial reaction in the nervous system which will result in the production of endorphins, oxytocin and serotonin.
How often will I need acupuncture treatment?
Physiotherapists trained in the use of acupuncture often use it alongside their other treatment modalities to treat a wide range of conditions and reduce pain. Although acupuncture can be effective in as little as one session, up to three sessions may be required to gauge whether acupuncture may be of benefit.
If you would like to see if acupuncture can help you manage your condition, why don’t you book yourself in for a physiotherapy assessment with Laura Oxley who has been using acupuncture to help her patients for many years.