What is acupuncture?

At my clinic I practice western acupuncture. This is the practice of inserting sterile needles into the tissues in specific locations and can be carried out as a standalone treatment or as part of a wider range of physiotherapy treatments. Western acupuncture also uses the traditional meridian line acupuncture points as they are proven to stimulate the nervous system effectively but has adapted practice using current knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology. You may have also heard the term dry needling, which is the practice of inserting needles into muscle knots (also known as myofascial trigger points) and is a part of western acupuncture.

How does it work?

The insertion of the needle creates a local physiological response, suppression of nociceptive signalling at spinal and supraspinal levels, and peripheral/central release of endogenous opioids and other biochemical mediators. It acts mainly by stimulating the nervous system, and its known modes of action include local antidromic axon reflexes, segmental and extra segmental neuromodulation, and other central nervous system effects. This helps pain but also helps manage the pain drivers, such as inflammation.

What can it be used for?

Acupuncture can be used for musculoskeletal pain (pain coming from joints, ligaments and muscles), arthritic pain, headaches/migraine, nausea, referred pain. It can reduce the need for medications in chronic pain management.

What does the research say?

Acupuncture is now supported by a large evidence base, including neuroimaging. Clinical research has supported the safety and effectiveness of acupuncture for various pain disorders, including acupuncture as an integrative therapy with other pain interventions.

Is it safe?

Acupuncture is very safe in the hands of a trained professional. The needles are sterile and single use, therefore there is a very low risk of infection (as with any skin breaching intervention). Serious side effects are rare (less than one per 50,000) and usually due to lack of training of the acupuncturist.

What are the risks?

The risks are minimal and the screening prior to treatment helps identify those at most risk and mitigate them. For example, if you are prone to fainting or blood sugar fluctuations, we can ensure you eat something within 4 hours of treatment and I will monitor you during and after the treatment. Other risks include a small bruise or a temporary increase in pain (1% of patients). The research shows that is a very rare risk of infection, the needle bending from a muscle spasm or rash from the metal but these are rarely seen.

Conditions are use acupuncture for:

• Temporomandibular disorders

• Headache and migraine

• Tinnitus and referred ear pain

• Cervicogenic dizziness

• Chronic pain conditions and some neurological conditions

• Musculoskeletal pain (pain relating to or involving the muscles and the skeleton, including the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissues)