Acupuncture
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture stimulates the nerves in skin, muscle and other tissues. It is clinically proven to increase the release of the body’s natural painkillers including endorphin and serotonin, in the pathways of both the spinal cord and the brain. It therefore provides pain relief.
It is also clinically proven to provide the immediate release of tight bands of muscle which are the cause of pain. (myofascial trigger points). Acupuncture can do more than simply reduce pain however. Current research shows that acupuncture can affect most of the body’s systems - the nervous system, muscle tone, hormone production, circulation, allergic responses, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. Each patient’s case is assessed and treatment tailored accordingly, but a typical treatment involves fine needles being inserted through the skin and left in position briefly, sometimes with manual or electrical stimulation. The number of needles used varies but may only be two or three. Treatment might be once a week to begin with, then at longer intervals as the condition responds. A typical course of treatment lasts five to eight sessions.
What sort of conditions respond to acupuncture?
Acupuncture is effective in a wide range of painful conditions and is commonly used to treat musculoskeletal pain, for example in the back, neck, shoulder and leg. It has been used successfully in the treatment of headache, migraine, ‘trapped nerves’, chronic muscle strain, sports injuries and various kinds of rheumatic and arthritic pain.
Some other situations where acupuncture might be used are:
- Functional bowel or bladder problems such as IBS or irritable bladder, sometimes mild forms of urinary incontinence
- Menstrual and menopausal symptoms
- Allergies such as hayfever and perennial allergic rhinitis, and some allergic rashes such as urticaria or prickly heat
- Some other skin problems such as discrete rashes and ulcers, pruritus (itching), some forms of dermatitis and some forms of excessive sweating
- Sinus problems and chronic catarrh
- Dry mouth and eyes
- Stopping smoking
Clinical research has not yet confirmed whether or not acupuncture is useful in the management of weight loss and so we would usually recommend lifestyle modification and exercise programmes for this.