The Point of Acupuncture

The Point of Acupuncture

Have you ever wondered whether acupuncture could help you but you’re not sure how or why? 

Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years in many forms to help with pain, disease, and distress. It can be a very effective addition to other physiotherapy modalities to help speed up your recovery. Traditional Chinese Medicine, (or TCM), is the most widely practiced form. Western acupuncture (or Dry Needling) is inspired by TCM acupuncture but is based on different principles and is predominantly used to alleviate muscle spasm/tension and joint pain, and to promote the healing process. Elizabeth Watson-Rose and Marjolijn Visser are both trained in acupuncture and offer it as part of physiotherapy sessions where appropriate. 

Acupuncture, like many treatments, is not a one-size-fits-all solution. High-quality research supports its effectiveness for certain conditions; however, health is complex, and at Nebula Physio and Wellbeing Ltd we strive offer fully personalised treatment to reflect your needs and treat you as an individual. The beauty of acupuncture lies in its ability to do just that – tailoring treatment specifically to you.

Evidence based medicine can give people confidence when looking to make an informed decision about the likelihood of a positive outcome vs potential side effects. Unfortunately, acupuncture is difficult to assess/research because unlike drugs, there is no single treatment for a specific problem. The ‘gold standard’ for research requires blinded trials, but how do you create a placebo form of acupuncture? Although “sham” acupuncture exists, it still creates a reaction from the body eliciting a response.   
Despite this, good quality research does exist for acupuncture, supporting its usefulness for a wide range of conditions ranging from muscle and joint problems to cancer treatment, and even turning a breech baby. Acupuncture research has been growing further in the last decade, with studies highlighting its effectiveness for back pain, neck pain and osteoarthritis, with acupuncture’s pain-relieving effects potentially comparable to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system, releasing chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord and brain. These biochemical changes are thought to stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities, promoting physical and emotional well-being. 

Acupuncture needles effect the body by:

• Releasing endorphins.
• Triggering local effects under the needle causing blood vessels to become more reactive. 
• Causing effects in the spinal cord where nerves enter and leave – the ‘so-called’ pain gate theory.
• Modulating certain areas of the brain that regulate pain and homeostasis.
• Strengthening the immune system.

What sorts of conditions can acupuncture help with?

At Nebula Physio and Wellbeing Ltd we are able to use acupuncture to help treat a wide range of health conditions. Acupuncture can help in the treatment of most musculoskeletal conditions/injuries such as back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, foot pain, osteoarthritis, temporo-mandibular joint disorders/jaw pain etc. It can also be very beneficial for chronic pain, headaches/migraines, stress/anxiety/depression and period pain, skin conditions, digestion and chemotherapy side-effects. We also offer acupuncture during pregnancy for a range of musculoskeletal conditions/injuries/pain.

Key Message:

Acupuncture can be very beneficial in the management of a wide range of conditions, promoting both physical and emotional well-being. Acupuncture treatments are tailored to each individual to give you the best possible experience. Elizabeth Watson-Rose and Marjolijn Visser both offer acupuncture as part of physiotherapy treatment.

If you would like further advice on how acupuncture can help you, give us a call on 07702 847036 and speak directly to a Senior Chartered Physiotherapist, or click the ‘Book Online’ button to make an appointment. You can also read more about acupuncture on our acupuncture/dry needling page.

The Nebula Physio and Wellbeing Team
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