Acupuncture

Q: 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, which indicates that the needle is stimulating the nervous system to produce the beneficial pain relieving and feel-good chemicals. If any other sensation is felt, such as sharp or unpleasant pain, your physiotherapist will remove them immediately.

Q: 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 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.

Q: 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.

Acupuncture is a time-tested treatment that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. Today, it is increasingly integrated into Western healthcare, including physiotherapy, as growing scientific research supports its effectiveness in managing pain and promoting healing.

At our clinic, our experienced physiotherapists, Laura and Nicki, have been incorporating acupuncture into their treatment plans for over 20 years. They are specially trained to use acupuncture as a complementary therapy to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and support recovery alongside conventional physiotherapy techniques.

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Acupuncture needles being inserted into a person's shoulder

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.

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What happens during the treatment?

During dry needling treatment, fine needles are inserted either directly into the area of pain, into related trigger points, or a combination of both. Depending on the treatment goals, the needles may remain in place for a few seconds up to 30 minutes. At times, your physiotherapist may gently stimulate the needles by rotating them to enhance the therapeutic effect and promote muscle relaxation.

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