Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of treatment that promotes healing. It involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points of the body for therapeutic effects. Acupuncture is one of the many skills used within physiotherapy as an integrated approach to the management of pain and inflammation and as a means of stimulating the body’s own healing chemicals in order to aid recovery and enhance rehabilitation.

Acupuncture can be used in the treatment of:

How does it work?

Western acupuncture involves stimulating sensory nerves under the skin and the muscles. This results in the body producing natural substances, such as pain-relieving endorphins and stress relieving oxytocin.

Acupuncture can help to release tight muscles and neural tension.

It promotes sleep and a sense of well-being by stimulating the release of melatonin and serotonin.

Acupuncture also stimulates nerve fibres to block out pain signals and helps to reduce the sensitivity of tender points in the body.

A course of acupuncture usually creates longer lasting pain relief than when a single treatment is used.

Traditional acupuncture

Traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, Qi (pronounced chee), flows through the body in channels called meridians. Practitioners who adhere to traditional beliefs about acupuncture believe that when Qi doesn't flow freely through the body, this can cause dysfunction or illness. By stimulating appropriate points on the body, acupuncture is thought to release these blockages and promote healing.

Will my treatment be just acupuncture?

No. Acupuncture is often included as an adjunct to the physiotherapist’s treatment session alongside more traditional, conventional physiotherapy treatments such as manual therapy, mobilisations, taping and exercise. It’s what we call an integrated approach to your treatment - the use of a combination of techniques to manage pain, inflammation and dysfunction, in order to encourage healing and recovery. It’s a means by which we can provide the best treatment possible for your condition.

Acupuncture training

Our physiotherapists have undergone specialist acupuncture training, and completed a set amount of practice in order to meet requirements set out by the chartered society of physiotherapists. The needles used in acupuncture are single-use, individually packaged, pre-sterilised needles which are disposed of after use.

We also attend many regular CPD sessions in order to ensure our knowledge and treatment is up to date and to the highest standard, therefore ensuring that acupuncture practised by our physiotherapists is safe and effective.

All of our physiotherapists who practice acupuncture have completed 10 hours of CPD in acupuncture this year so far.

Not all of our therapists practice acupuncture so if it is something you specifically require, it is best to contact the clinic on  020 8542 7788  or  enquiries@wimbledonphysio.co.uk prior to your appointment.