Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be used on its own or in combination with physiotherapy to treat a range of musculoskeletal conditions.

There are over 500 acupuncture points on the body. Conventional acupuncture involves the use of single-use, pre-sterilised disposable needles of varying widths, lengths and materials that pierce the skin at the acupuncture points.

Normally between six and twelve acupuncture points are used during a treatment session. Acupuncture needles are also often inserted into trigger points (tight sensitive areas in the muscles) to relieve pain and restore movement. You may feel a tingling or aching sensation when the needles are inserted, but it should not be painful.

Hands-on Health’s physiotherapist Jayne Robinson is registered with the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP) and undertakes regular training and updates in her practice.

AACP members combine Traditional Chinese Medicine principles with scientific research and clinical evidence that acupuncture can reduce pain by stimulating the brain and spinal cord to produce natural pain-relieving chemicals such as endorphins, melatonin (which promotes sleep) and serotonin (to promote well-being), to name but a few. These chemicals assist the body's healing processes and offer pain relief as a precursor to other treatments such as manual therapy or exercise in order to aid recovery.

They are in a unique position of being able to combine acupuncture with other treatment methods such as exercises, manipulation and stretching. This combined approach is more likely to lead to successful rehabilitation.