Acupuncture

What is acupuncture?

Western medical acupuncture is a therapeutic modality involving the insertion of fine needles; it is an adaptation of Chinese acupuncture using current knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology, and the principles of evidence based medicine. It acts mainly by stimulating the nervous system.
Western medical acupuncture is principally used by conventional healthcare practitioners, most commonly in primary care. It is mainly used to treat musculoskeletal pain, including myofascial trigger point pain. Single use sterile needles are used for each trigger point treated.

What conditions respond to acupuncture?

Painful conditions
Acupuncture is effective in a wide range of painful conditions and is commonly used to treat musculoskeletal pain; eg back, shoulder, neck and leg pain. It has been successfully used to treat headaches, migraines, trapped nerves, chronic muscle strains and various kinds of rheumatic and arthritic pain.

What is involved in having acupuncture?

Every patient will have an initial assessment, followed by a course of treatment suitable for the condition. Treatment is usually provided as part of a general osteopathic treatment or as a standalone treatment.
The treatment itself involves fine needles being inserted through the skin and briefly left in position. The number of needles varies but may be only two or three.

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