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Acupuncture

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the many skills employed within physiotherapy as part of an integrated approach to patient management. Physiotherapists must obtain a minimal Foundation Acupuncture Accreditation to be able to practice and qualified therapists commonly use acupuncture as an adjunct to other treatment.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine, sterile, single use needles into key points on the body to assist the body’s natural healing process, offer pain relief and regain the body’s equilibrium commonly disturbed with injury or illness. Acupuncture treatment should be tailored for each individual’s needs at the time of attending the appointment.

Physiotherapists can also use an adapted form of acupuncture called dry needling, which is also known as trigger point dry needling. This is usually used for treating muscle pain, myofascial trigger points, and connective tissue, and again would be used as an adjunct to the rest of your treatment.

Acupuncture-Association-of-Chartered-Physiotherapists-AACP (1)

How does acupuncture work?

This is a relatively complicated process within the body but in very simple terms, acupuncture works at 3 levels:

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Peripheral/Local (wherever you put a needle)
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Spinal (via the nervous system along spinal segments)
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Supraspinal (via the nervous system within the brain and higher centres)
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How long does it take?

This will vary depending on the effect your therapist is hoping to achieve. Many people feel the effect immediately but this is not always the case. Needles vary in length from 30-50 mm and tend to be 0.25-0.30 mm diameter. Being so fine they are often pain free when inserted and in situ.

Needles may elicit a dull, heavy, aching sensation but acupuncture should not be an unpleasant feeling. The time the needles are left in varies, again depending on the effect the therapist is hoping to achieve.

Are there any negative effects of acupuncture?

On the whole, no. Acupuncture is useful as it has very few side-effects, if any. It is safe, clean and pain free. Some people can feel very tired post treatment but this is really a positive effect as it suggests it has stimulated the right response. Occasionally people can feel light headed post treatment as acupuncture can have an adverse effect on blood sugars but as long as you have eaten within the four hours preceding treatment you should not have this reaction.

Very infrequently, it can aggravate pain but this is only temporary and again is not a negative. Feeling great is often reported post treatment which can never be a bad thing.

How is acupuncture used at cspc?

At CSPC, acupuncture is used as an adjunct to treatment, to ensure that all aspects of your condition are treated. This is done after a thorough examination and clinical reasoning to ascertain if it would be useful to add as part of your treatment. This would be discussed with you at your appointment.

Is acupuncture safe?

Like any therapy, it has to be done by an appropriately qualified therapist. The needles used are single use and sterile, they are safely disposed of in the clinic and they are inserted at appropriate angles and points to ensure that vital organs and structures are not damaged.

Can everyone have acupuncture?

There is no-one that acupuncture cannot be used on but appropriateness of patients should be carefully considered. If you have any of the following, these should be discussed with your therapist:

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A phobia of needles
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Uncontrolled epilepsy
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Poorly controlled diabetes
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Circulatory problems
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A clotting disorder
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A blood borne infection (e.g Hepatitis, HIV, AIDS)
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Are undergoing treatment for cancer or have a diagnosis of cancer
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Are pregnant
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Have recently suffered a stroke or a blood clot

Why have acupuncture?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends acupuncture as an effective, safe treatment for up to 100 conditions. There are 28 conditions for which acupuncture has been proven through controlled trials to be an effective treatment.

Acupuncture can help with acute and chronic pain associated with injury or illness, problems associated with arthritis, systemic problems involving the respiratory, gastrointestinal, gynaecological and nervous systems and also anxiety and depressive disorders.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) also advocates the use of acupuncture for persistent low back pain and headaches, however there is much more clinical evidence to show that acupuncture is highly effective at treating a vast majority of conditions.

Summary

Acupuncture is an excellent adjunct to physiotherapy. It can be used with acute and chronic injuries, persistent areas of pain, delayed healing, long term illnesses, general feelings of low mood or to improve feelings of general well-being. It can be used as a stand-alone treatment but more commonly and more effectively it complements other physiotherapeutic interventions such as soft tissue mobilisations, joint manipulation, visceral treatment and exercise therapy.

Acupuncture is not for everyone but it is a highly effective, minimally invasive and safe addition to the management of a vast array of problems.

The History of Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture is an ancient system of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), first recorded in the Stone Age. The Chinese believe that the body contains invisible channels known as meridians, which circulate vital energy (Yang) and blood (Yin) to regain equilibrium essential for good health. If there is an imbalance, blockage or stasis of flow in these two systems, then energy (Qi) can become stagnant, deficient or excessive, resulting in illness or injury. Unfortunately, there is little scientific research to support the TCM theories of circulating Yin, Yang, Qi and meridians but it is very difficult to ignore centuries of empirical evidence.

Western Medicine

Acupuncture has been used in Western Medicine (WM) since the 19th century and subsequently, much more scientifically based evidence has been produced in it’s support. Research has shown that acupuncture can stimulate the release of the body’s natural opiates, assist the natural healing response within the body and offers a powerful mechanism for modifying pain transmission within the central nervous system (CNS).

The central nervous system is made up of our brain and spinal cord and works with our peripheral nervous system (PNS) to receive input and control output to all parts of our body. The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is part of our PNS and controls bodily functions that we don’t have to consciously think about such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, digestion processes, temperature control and bladder/bowel function to name a few.

We need to have a balance within the ANS to ensure that we are at optimum physical health. The Parasympathetic and Sympathetic Nervous Systems (PSNS and SNS) maintain an equal balance within our organs and musculoskeletal systems but following injury or illness, the ANS often becomes disturbed and homeostasis is compromised. This is the WM explanation of the Yin/Yang TCM theory.

MEET THE TEAM

Constantly challenging ourselves to be the best

We are dedicated to continually training, challenging and developing ourselves to ensure we are at the leading edge of our profession. The best practices are constantly evolving and Alison leads the internal training at the clinic, working with the team, in small groups and individually ensuring that all staff provide the same high standards of care. All members of CSPC staff also attend regular external training. Many of these courses are run at the clinic with external educators to further expand our knowledge and experience.

Alison Rose

Clinic Director | Physiotherapist MCSP HCPC

Jenny Birch

Physiotherapist MCSP HCPC

Damian Buck

Physiotherapist MCSP HCPC

Carl Clifford

Physiotherapist MCSP HCPC

Wesley Davidson

Physiotherapist MCSP HCPC

Louisa Edmonston

Physiotherapist MCSP HCPC

Graeme Everard

Physiotherapist MCSP HCPC

Lucy Gledhill

Physiotherapist MCSP HCPC

Carol Hegarty

Physiotherapist MCSP HCPC

Claire Merrett

Physiotherapist MCSP HCPC

Candice Milner

Physiotherapist MCSP HCPC

Neil Smitherman

Physiotherapist MCSP HCPC

John Swain

Physiotherapist MCSP HCPC

Vikki Mills

Physiotherapist MCSP HCPC

Julianna Richardson

Soft Tissue Therapist

Ian Mitchell

Soft Tissue Therapist

Hannah Watkinson

BSc (Hons) Podiatry, MCHS, HPC registered

Cara Sloss

Clinical and Sports Dietitian, RD SENr
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PATIENT TESTIMONIALS
Over the years I have worked with a number of the physios at CSPC, I have found them to be up to date with their thinking and treatments, willing to share their knowledge with one and other and clients. I always recommend CSPC to friends and clients. They have helped hold body and soul together, thank you.

I am absolutely delighted with the shockwave treatment I have received at CSPC physiotherapy Clinic and the results it has produced. Each session has measurably reduced the size of my bursitis to the point it has almost gone, with corresponding improvement in my range of movement and comfort in the affected area. It has also ameliorated calcification in my shoulder. A great big thank you to Alison and Julianna for your help!

I cannot believe how well I feel. Four years ago, I felt consigned to the ‘rust pile’, today I feel ‘shiny’ and ready for the next challenge. CSPC can seriously alter your way of life …for the better.

Within the one hour appointment I received hands on treatment that relieved most of my pain and by the evening I was breathing and moving pain free. By the following morning I was back to ‘full dad duties’ much to the surprise of my partner, who with seeing how quickly I had recovered, started to think I’d made it all up to have a good rest!

After a long car journey to Leeds, I arrived with some discomfort in my upper back that worsened over the next day to the point that I could hardly breathe or move without feeling excruciating pain.

I’d done a gym session a week or so previously and had felt some discomfort in my back but rested and thought nothing of it. A long car journey combined with caring for two young children resulted in me having excruciating back pain and if it wasn’t for getting an emergency appointment at CSPC physiotherapy clinic I would not have made it home and probably checked myself into A&E!

Within the one hour appointment I received hands on treatment that relieved most of my pain and by the evening I was breathing and moving pain free. By the following morning I was back to ‘full dad duties’ much to the surprise of my partner, who with seeing how quickly I had recovered, started to think I’d made it all up to have a good rest!
Thanks CSPC physiotherapy for getting me back to my best – super quickly!

JACK

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