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Your Guide to Medical Acupuncture

The Hillsborough Chiropractor Clinic

If you’ve been struggling with chronic pains or other ailments that are hindering your day to day life, it might be time to give acupuncture a try. If you find that traditional treatments and regular medications aren’t helping, acupuncture holds a range of wellness benefits that could help you to move past your aches and pains. Or, if you’re simply interested in acupuncture, what it is and how it works, this blog is for you.


To find out more about the secrets of medical acupuncture, keep on reading our guide!



What Is Acupuncture & How Does It Work?


Medical Acupuncture is a treatment used to help treat certain conditions and alleviate pain. Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into the body at specific locations and depths in order to stimulate the central nervous system. In doing this, chemicals in your brain, spinal cord and muscles are released, stimulating your body’s internal healing abilities. The stimulation caused by the insertion of the needle helps increase blood flow to these areas as well, impacting the pain processing in the central nervous system.


These biochemical changes contribute to better overall physical and emotional well-being. The main goal of acupuncture is to relieve a chronic pain or health condition and this technique comes from traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture is a supplemental therapy, much like massage therapy or mindfulness and you may need to go through other medical treatments to help relieve your health condition.


What Is the Treatment Like?


If you're going for your first acupuncture treatment, it’s important to be aware of what to expect. Your acupuncturist will talk to you about your condition, examining your body and looking for the appropriate areas for the acupuncture.


Once they have found all the right spots for your acupuncture, they will tap the needles into your skin. All the needles will be disposable and sterile, so you don’t need to worry. Many people hear the word ‘needle’ and immediately associate it with pain or fear, however acupuncture needles are not like other medical needles. They are much thinner, as thin as human hair, and they are solid needles that are inserted at various depths. This could be anything from a fraction of an inch to a couple of inches and the needles might stay in your skin for up to 20 minutes.


Does It Hurt?


The idea of needles being put into our skin can sound pretty scary and acupuncture is probably your worst fear if you aren’t a fan of needles, however the treatment is almost painless.


While there may be a slight prick or pinch with each needle, it is far less painful than having an injection or blood test. You may also experience some sensations in your muscles like a tingling sensation or a dull, numb ache and this is a normal response. Your acupuncturist may ask if you are feeling these sensations as it is a good signal that the treatment is working.


You will probably feel very calm and relaxed after your acupuncture treatment, so it’s recommended that you are driven to and from the session by someone else (especially if it’s your first treatment). It is also usually advised that you take it easy after your session, and don’t push your body too hard.


Who Might Need Medical Acupuncture?


Acupuncture can be used to treat a range of different conditions and ailments. Typically used as a treatment for neck pain, back pain and leg pain, acupuncture has proved very effective in alleviating muscular pain, however it can be used for other problems too. Some other examples of where acupuncture can be used are:


●    Chronic, long-term pains

●    Tension headaches & migraines

●    Joint & muscle pain

●    Recurring trapped nerves

●    Menopause & pregnancy discomfort

●    Arthritis

●    Pain caused by cancer symptoms

●    Side effects of cancer treatment can be alleviated through acupuncture

●    Sickness/nausea after surgeries


If you think you would benefit from medical acupuncture, you should schedule an appointment with your GP, and they will be able to refer you to a specialist or help advise you on finding a good acupuncturist. 


Where Did Acupuncture Come From?


Acupuncture is actually an ancient practice, originating in China almost 3000 years ago. It was originally used for pain relief, however nowadays it contributes to overall well-being, even being used to manage stress.


Traditional acupuncture was centred around the belief that it could restore the flow of Qi (pronounced ‘chee’), restoring the energy flow of the body. Medical acupuncture, on the other hand, uses anatomy and physiology to target specific muscles and areas to effectively alleviate aches and pains.


Benefits Of Acupuncture


There are a range of benefits that come with undergoing acupuncture treatments, not only physically, but emotionally too.


One of the main benefits of acupuncture is the relief from chronic pains or other conditions. Some medications or other types of treatment may not be helping with pain relief in the same way that acupuncture can, making it a favourable choice for some people. You may start to reap the benefits after a couple of days have passed since your session.


After your acupuncture treatment, you may feel more calm and relaxed which contributes to your well-being. It can also help with your sleep routine, better digestion and an overall better sense of well-being. Some patients report a more intense impact after a few sessions, so if you’re feeling unsure or sceptical, it’s worth trialling this treatment for a few more sessions to see the true benefits.


Risks


As with any procedure, there are some risks involved that you should be aware of. Your doctor or acupuncturist will talk you through the potential risks.


One of the main risks to be aware of is bleeding, some bruising and soreness in the areas where needles are inserted. If you experience bruising, or a bit of swelling around some of the needle insertion sites, there’s nothing to worry about and the bruise should clear up within a week or so. It is often the case that some small blood vessels have burst, so no need to worry!


Another factor to be mindful of is sterile needles. If unsterilized needles are used on a patient, it could put them at serious risk of infection or other medical complications. Your acupuncturist should be aware of this and carry out your treatment with hygiene in mind.


If you’re pregnant, have a pacemaker or you are prone to bleeding a lot, it may be advised that you don’t go for acupuncture treatment, as it can interfere with your body in a more negative way. It is best to discuss this with your medical professional before going ahead with the treatment. 


Key Considerations


Although acupuncture can be an excellent form of treatment for some conditions, many people use it alongside other treatments to make progress. If you decide to start undergoing acupuncture, make sure you are also taking the medical treatments advised by your GP too, rather than relying solely on acupuncture.


You might not get the full benefits of acupuncture initially, and it’s important to give the process some time. Waiting until you have had a few sessions is best before making a judgement on the severity of your pain or condition.


Traditional acupuncture and medical acupuncture are both different, with different purposes and targeting different areas. If you feel unsure about which treatment is right for you, speak to your GP and do some research before making any decisions.


The Hillsborough Chiropractic Clinic: From Chiropractic Care To Sciatica Treatment


Here at The Hillsborough Chiropractic Clinic we offer a range of medical treatments to help alleviate your pain and treat your condition. Our fully qualified team of Sheffield chiropractors are friendly and professional, helping you with chronic pains and conditions such as sciatica or other joint pains. You can read more about the kinds of problems we treat here. We also offer professional sports massage therapy to help target injury-prone and painful areas.


To read more about who we are and what we do, you can read more on our website. Alternatively, you can speak to our team directly by getting in touch today!

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