Acupuncture

Acupuncture

Why come to Balance for acupuncture?

Several of Balance’s physiotherapists use acupuncture as a means of pain relief. They work following the same ethos as everyone else at Balance making use of the treatment methods, techniques and exercises that will provide the results required by our clients. Rather than use treatment techniques in isolation we have an integrated and progressive approach that provides our clients with an opportunity to reach their full potential.

Conditions that we often see responding well to acupuncture:

  • acute (recently suffered) injuries
  • sports injuries
  • whip lash, back pain
  • neck pain
  • headaches
  • stress related illnesses
  • chronic injuries
  • osteoarthritis
  • rheumatoid-arthritis
  • joint pain

Will it work for me?

Research has shown that most people gain pain relief from Acupuncture and this is generally due to the release of endorphs into the body during the Acupuncture process. Endorphs are pain inhibiting substances offering the patient an analgesic effect. The scientific proof of the release of endorphs allows acupuncture to be integrated with conventional medicine. Clinical trials provide evidence that it has a powerful and sustained effect on muscular skeletal pain.

Clients treated with acupuncture will generally require at least three treatments before we can be certain there is a reaction. Strong reactors will show changes immediately after the first treatment and may even become slightly worse initially. Most clients will experience a gradual change in symptoms. It is essential that a ‘needling’ sensation is felt by the patient at every Acupuncture point. This sensation, known as the ‘DEQI’ [pronounced ‘day-chee’]  is described as a numbness, fullness, deep aching, warmth or occasionally electric shock.

Acupuncture does not work for everybody or for every condition, but good results are frequently achieved. You do not have to believe for it to work.

The effect of acupuncture is cumulative. Pain relief builds up as treatment progresses, some responding rapidly while others take more time. Chronic conditions often take longer to respond and occasionally become worse at first, but often respond well after this initial phase of discomfort.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is just one of the many skills used by several of Balance’s physiotherapists. We use it when appropriate and as part of the integrated approach we have for the management of pain, inflammation and as a means of enhancing the body’s own healing chemicals in order to aid recovery and enhance rehabilitation. Acupuncture used alongside physiotherapy is done so within the background of clinical and research evidence.

The concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine [TCM] is an ancient system of written scripts as far back as 1000BC, founded on the holistic concept of treatment and an acknowledgment of the body’s ability to return to its balanced state of health, given the correct stimulus to do so.

Is acupuncture safe?

Acupuncture is safe when practiced within strict hygiene guidelines and delivered by qualified professionals who have completed recognised training courses and attend educational updates.Chartered Physiotherapists are also bound by a strict professional and ethical code. In addition, all of Balance’s physiotherapists providing acupuncture are required to stay on the membership register of The Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists [AACP] and have to fulfill ongoing training criteria each year. The AACP requires its members to undergo a minimum of 80 hours acupuncture training to and adhere to an additional strict code of practice. Members are required to keep up with a stated minimum number of training hours per year in order to remain on the register.

Speak with one of our acupuncture physiotherapists if you would like to discuss it as it specifically applies to you.