ACUPUNCTURE

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 within physiotherapy is implemented in accordance with clinical and research evidence. Western medical acupuncture was later derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine [TCM] which is an ancient system of medicine which dates as far back as 1000BC. TCM founded the concept of treating specific points along the body where unseen energy pathways could be stimulated with a needle to effect energy (qi) within the body in order to support the body back to optimal health.  

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In order for the body to work in harmony there are a number of systems which must be healthy and well balanced. Acupuncture treatments can aid in restoring the body back to health (homeostasis). This is achieved through good understanding of your medical history in order to prescribe a treatment plan to treat the source of imbalance with the correct acupuncture points. 

The body has an innate ability to self repair and the use of acupuncture or acupressure enhances these natural self repair mechanisms to enhance recovery and improve repair timeframes. Acupuncture also works in conjunction with other physiotherapy modalities, such as exercise and conditioning. 

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Acupuncture needles stimulate the flow of energy, known as Qi [pronounced ‘chee’] which circulates in pathways (meridians) within the body. The Qi circulates and connects the deeper tissues and organs of the body with the more superficial layers and the skin. In a healthy body, a balance exists between these different systems, both the superficial and deeper levels. An imbalance can, however, negatively affect these systems and cause a host of symptoms and challenges. Acupuncture can positively influence these imbalances by the insertion and stimulation of needles within the body and restore the balance. If injury, disease, emotional trauma or infection occurs, the natural flow of energy/Qi within the pathways/meridians are affected. Interruptions in the energy pathways can cause a stagnation, much like putting a cork in a bottle and this can result in pain and inflammation. Using acupuncture in this case would free the stagnation and restore the free-flow of energy, reducing pain and eradicating inflammation. 

 (taken from the Acupuncture Society of Chartered Physiotherapists)