Acupuncture & Dry Needling

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a recommended treatment for various pains and dysfunctions. The origins of acupuncture can be traced back thousands of years to eastern medicine however our therapists are qualified to treat the now well researched practice of western, or medical, acupuncture.

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The process of carefully inserting needles into the skin and muscles helps to stimulate chemical changes in the body and nervous system. This has a positive impact on various conditions with most people receiving western acupuncture for pain relief.

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What benefits can I expect and how will it help me?

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There are various benefits of acupuncture below, all of which have medical research and evidence supporting how it works.

• Reduction of pain

• Alleviation of muscle spasm and tension

• Facilitation of the healing process

• Induction of local and general relaxation

• Promotion of general well-being

• Improvement of sleep pattern

• Reduction in anxiety

Acupuncture is also recommended to compliment and improve the effectiveness of other treatments for:

• Multiple scelorsis (MS)

• Parkinson’s Disease

• Fibromyalgia

• Cancer pain and the side effects of chemotherapy

• Women’s health conditions

• Premenstural syndrome

• Depression and anxiety

• Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

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When is acupuncture not recommended?

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There are pre-existing conditions that would mean acupuncture is strictly not recommended.

• Serious signs of illness (assessed by your therapist)

• Infections and signs of worsening systemic symptoms (signs of sepsis)

• Unexplained or unstable seizures

• Needle phobia

• Pregnancy, especially in the 1st trimester or if a ‘complicated’ or if you have had a history of complicated pregnancies or miscarriages before.

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There are areas that should be avoided when receiving acupuncture, these may be different for everyone

• Local swelling

• Local infection

• Tumours

Are there any possible side effects?

There are some known side effects with minimal or no long term effects. The below possible side effects and the probability of it happening (as a %) are taken from the AACP.

• Bleeding and Bruising (3%)

• Mild aggravation of symptoms (3%, of which 70-85% show subsequent improvement)

• Mild Pain at the needle site (1%)

• Drowsiness (1%)

• Dizziness (0.6%)

• Pain not at needle site (0.5%)

• Nausea or feeling faint (0.3%)

• Stuck or bent needle (0.1%)

• Headache (0.1%)

• Allergy or infection (up to 0.2%)

• Pneumothorax (0.0002%/ less than 2 per 1 million)

How will LDN Wellness ensure this is a safe treatment for me?

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At LDN Wellness our therapists are extensively trained Physiotherapist who have qualified to practice western, or medical, acupuncture.

All therapists are trained by The Acupuncture Association of Physiotherapists (AACP), a well-recognised governing body to ensure the highest standards are maintained.

An assessment of the appropriateness and effective of treatment in included within the initial acupuncture consultation and treatment session. If you have any concerns or questions beforehand that you’d like to check with us please contact hello@ldnphysio.co.uk

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What should I expect within a session?

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On arriving to the clinic your therapist your therapist will ask you questions about your problem, take a detailed history of previous medical problems and your current health.

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There will be opportunity to ask questions and ensure you’re happy to go ahead. Following on from this it is a legal requirement for all of our therapists to go through a consent form with you, this ensures you are aware of the benefits and possible side effects (also on this page).

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Treatment starts with the insertion of the first needle and will often take between 25-30 minutes from then. Multiple needles may be places around the pain and also at points away from your pain that are believed to have a positive influence on your current pain problem.

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You will be lying down for 30 minutes so please ensure if you need to toilet or need to take any form of medications, make any phone calls etc. then you clear these ready for your session

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Your therapist may also encourage mindfulness, for example body scanning, and it is also a free moment to relax. If you have any questions you may ask during treatment or wait until the end of the session.

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Needles are removed at the end of the session and safely disposed with.

You may be offered additional aftercare and advice depending on the condition.