A patient guide to acupuncture.

What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture involves placing needles into the skin and sometimes twisting them. The needles are very fine and should not hurt when they go into the skin.

What does it do?
Acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the brain to produce natural pain relieving chemicals, endorphins. These chemicals help the body heal itself and give pain relief.

Is Acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is perfectly safe when practised by someone with appropriate training. The needles we use are disposable and pre-sterilised. Your physiotherapist has been trained to use the strictest hygiene.

Will it work for me?
Research has shown that most people gain relief from acupuncture. It does not work for everybody and every condition, but frequently good results are achieved. There is nothing spiritual about it and you don’t need to believe in acupuncture for it to work for you. The effects of acupuncture are cumulative, with pain-relief building up as treatment progresses. Some people respond quickly, but others take a few more treatments to get started. Occasionally, the condition may become slightly worse at first. This is not a bad sign, as it usually means the condition will respond.

You cannot have Acupuncture if:

• You are on anti-coagulants (warfarin, heparin)
• You are allergic to metals (stainless steel)
• You have ever had an allergic response to a blood test
• You are pregnant or suspect you may be.

What should I feel?
You may feel a slight prick as the needle goes into the skin, but usually you don’t feel it. If your physiotherapist turns / twists the needles, you may feel an ache, tingling, tightening, warmth or a sting around the needles.

Are there any side-effects?
Acupuncture is a very safe form of treatment when used by qualified practitioners. However, like most forms of treatment there is a small risk of adverse effects.
These include infection or extreme sleepiness post treatment, fainting can occur in certain patients.
Symptoms may worsen post treatment in up to 3% of all patients, including bleeding and / or bruising. Up to 1% of patients may experience pain post treatment.

If you have any concerns regarding the safety of acupuncture or would like these risks explained further in context with your individual treatment programme, please feel at ease to discuss issues with your physiotherapist prior to commencing treatment.

All our Physiotherapist who practice Acupuncture are registered with the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP) for more information see www.aacp.uk.com