MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE
What is medical acupuncture?
Medical, or Western acupuncture is an adaptation of traditional Chinese acupuncture using current knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology, and the principles of evidence-based medicine.
It involves the use of fine needles to stimulate sensory nerves under the skin and in the muscles, which causes the body to produce natural painkilling substances, such as serotonin and endorphins, in the affected area and in the central nervous system.
Medical acupuncture can be used to treat the following:
- Musculoskeletal pain – including tennis/golfer’s elbow or myofascial trigger points
- Headaches – tension headaches or migraines
- Joint pain – including symptoms of rheumatoid or osteoarthritis
- Lower back or neck pain
- Symptoms of fibromyalgia
- Chronic pain syndromes
What to expect in your initial medical acupuncture appointment
Your initial appointment will last up to an hour and a thorough case history will be taken to develop a full picture of your general health, your presenting problem/symptoms and any other factors that may need consideration.
We’ll ask questions about your general health, previous illnesses, your lifestyle, and family medical history amongst others. We will then conduct a thorough physical examination, for which it might be necessary to dress down to your underwear, so please come dressed appropriately.
Once your practitioner understands your symptoms and has a working diagnosis, they will then explain how acupuncture may benefit you, how it will work and how many treatments they expect you should have. Then, with your consent, they’ll proceed with the treatment.
Some practitioners may use other techniques alongside acupuncture to get the best results from your treatment, but they’ll discuss this with you in your appointment.
