Acupuncture
There is increasing scientific evidence to back up what many patients claim: acupuncture helps relieve pain. A large scientific study by the National Institute for Health Research in 2017 found, for example, significant evidence that acupuncture is effective for treatment of back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis and chronic headache, amongst other conditions. Recent NICE (National Instutute for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines released in 2021 now recommend acupuncture as a method for treating primary chronic pain.
In addition to reducing pain, acupuncture helps muscles relax and relieve tension and associated tightness and aches. The mechanism by which acupuncture achieves this is likely mainly due to the release of endorphins and other natural brain chemicals (e.g. oxytocin and serotonin) that help relaxation and a sense of well-being. Acupuncture appears also to stimulate nerve fibres to block out pain signals and reduce the sensitivity of tender points.
Acupuncture involves the partial insertion of very fine, single use, sterile needles (much finer than the needles used for injections, so that you barely feel them going in) into the body. The patient is typically lying down while the practitioner places the acupuncture needles in certain points of the body (where exactly depends upon the condition). The needles are left in place for around 20 minutes. Most patients at the clinic find it remarkably relaxing, and experience some benefit after the first session.
Acupuncture undertaken by a qualified professional is very safe, with minimal risk of side effects (e.g. minor bruising in around 3% of patients).
See what to expect during an appointment.
In addition to reducing pain, acupuncture helps muscles relax and relieve tension and associated tightness and aches. The mechanism by which acupuncture achieves this is likely mainly due to the release of endorphins and other natural brain chemicals (e.g. oxytocin and serotonin) that help relaxation and a sense of well-being. Acupuncture appears also to stimulate nerve fibres to block out pain signals and reduce the sensitivity of tender points.
Acupuncture involves the partial insertion of very fine, single use, sterile needles (much finer than the needles used for injections, so that you barely feel them going in) into the body. The patient is typically lying down while the practitioner places the acupuncture needles in certain points of the body (where exactly depends upon the condition). The needles are left in place for around 20 minutes. Most patients at the clinic find it remarkably relaxing, and experience some benefit after the first session.
Acupuncture undertaken by a qualified professional is very safe, with minimal risk of side effects (e.g. minor bruising in around 3% of patients).
See what to expect during an appointment.