As part of physiotherapy treatment, a physio may incorporate medical acupuncture. This is a form of treatment that uses very fine needles to stimulate specific points on the body. Medical acupuncture is often used to relieve pain and improve function. While still using needles to stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities, it doesn’t adhere to the concepts of Qi or yin/yang, as followed in traditional acupuncture. This therapy can be used by a physio in conjunction with other forms of treatment to create a treatment plan.
Many people find medical acupuncture to be a helpful treatment for a variety of conditions. If you’re interested in trying medical acupuncture, contact our qualified physio Marcin at Falcon Health to see how it can be used to help you!
What is Medical Acupuncture?
Medical acupuncture is a form of acupuncture that is typically used to treat a specific condition or relieve pain. It follows a diagnosis and is often used in conjunction with other treatments, such as medication or physical therapy.
Generally speaking, a physio will prescribe several sessions of medical acupuncture. This is important as it enables a physio and clients to monitor the process of the treatment and how the body responds. By constantly monitoring this treatment, a physio can adapt your treatment plan to involve more or less medical acupuncture or alternative therapies to complement it.
How Does Medical Acupuncture Work?
Medical acupuncture is a treatment that uses thin needles to stimulate specific body parts. It is thought to stimulate sensory nerves under the skin and in the muscles of the body. It is thought that naturally released substances and stimulations are responsible for the beneficial effects experienced with acupuncture. These substances are thought to include neuropeptides, serotonin, and endorphins. Acupuncture may also stimulate the immune system. This stimulation may help improve blood flow and promote healing as affected areas receive more oxygen and nutrients allowing itthem to heal.
Acupuncture is a treatment that can help people feel better about themselves, even if there is no real improvement in their medical condition. This is because it helps to stimulate the body and release different substances that can have a positive effect on a person’s overall health. Acupuncture is designed to balance your body and mind and promote relaxation. As your mind relaxes, your body and muscles do as well, supporting your body in healing and strengthening weaker elements of the body.
Medical Acupuncture and Physiotherapy
Medical Acupuncture is often prescribed by a physio alongside other treatments to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
Physiotherapists believe that acupuncture can help to relieve pain by stimulating the brain and nervous system to produce pain-relieving chemicals, such as endorphins. This is a natural way of combating pain and can be a very effective treatment for a variety of conditions. Acupuncture is thought to help promote the body’s natural healing process. This can be essential in the treatment of painful musculoskeletal problems, as it can help to relieve pain and promote movement.
Techniques
Traditional Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles into the skin to stimulate the relevant body parts. However, as part of medical acupuncture, a physio can utilise several alternative techniques to create a similar response by the body.
Laser Acupuncture
Thanks to technological advancements, it is now possible to undertake acupuncture without the use of needles. This is useful for those that require acupuncture but don’t love the idea of being prodded by needles. This treatment is also suitable for treatments around sensitive areas such as the ears as it is a less invasive technique, but still gets the reaction it requires.
Electro-Acupuncture
This is a more invasive technique, but it can be very effective in stimulating acupuncture points. It involves passing a current of electricity through the needles, to help them work more effectively. This delivers low-frequency electrical impulses, which are thought to help stimulate chemicals from the brain. This can help to improve a person’s mood, relieve pain and invoke relaxation and sleep, which is particularly valuable in recovering from injury or pain.
Acupressure
In acupressure treatment, a physio’s hands are placed over the acupuncture (or trigger) points, to relieve muscle tightness. The amount of pressure used in acupressure treatment varies according to the condition being treated. In general, a light to medium pressure is applied, but this may vary depending on the physio and their level of experience. The right amount of pressure must be applied to be effective, so a physio with trained, sensitive hands is essential.
This treatment is often used on sensitive or frail patients or patients with needle phobias. Whilst it does not necessarily create the same response as acupuncture needles, a physio’s ability to determine the amount of pressure ensures that results are seen.
What To Expect in a Medical Acupuncture Session
In your initial session, you can expect your practitioner to ask about your symptoms and medical history, as well as your habits and lifestyle. They will then perform a physical examination, after which they may recommend a treatment plan. This will likely include several sessions, depending on your needs.
During acupuncture, your professional will insert needles just under the skin. You may feel a slight prick when the needle is inserted, but this is usually short-lived. Once the needles are in place, they may be left in position anywhere from a few minutes, up to half an hour.
Does Medical Acupuncture Hurt?
Acupuncture needles are usually made of sterilised, stainless steel, specially prepared for acupuncture. They are very thin – about the width of a human hair – and are inserted into the skin a few millimetres deep. Because the needles are so fine, it will not feel like having an injection or blood test. You will likely feel some tingling, but if you feel pain, be sure to inform your professional so they can readjust the needle.
Why Falcon Health?
At Falcon Health, our professional Marcin is a physio, fully trained in medical acupuncture. Marcin boasts years of experience, treating a variety of clients with various forms of ailments and injuries. If you would like to discuss medical acupuncture with Marcin, be sure to contact us at info@falcon-health.com
At Falcon Health, we are dedicated to treating you and getting you back to your best. We provide a variety of treatments and therapies for clients with all needs, including chiropractic treatment. To learn more about what we offer, explore our website or contact us at 01444 257555 or email info@falcon-health.com
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