Acupuncture is a safe and drug-free intervention that has been linked to improvements in addressing a variety of health conditions, such as arthritis, migraines, chronic pain conditions as well as depression, to name a few. Normally, our bodies create their own natural painkillers in the form of chemicals called endorphins. Over the counter and prescribed medications mimic these natural painkillers by attaching to parts of our body, that are normally accessed by endorphins. This helps to block or reduce the perception of pain.
Acupuncture utilizes the same signal altering mechanism through the use of thin sterile needles, which are painlessly inserted at particular nerve-related points on the body. The stimulation of the needles results in the release of those natural body-made painkillers, (endorphins, melatonin to promote sleep and serotonin to promote relaxation and wellbeing), which assist the body’s healing process. Though Acupuncture works in a similar way to over the counter prescription drugs, there are no risks of harmful side effects, addiction, or overdose because the needles do not contain any medication or synthetic products, they only stimulate the release of the body’s natural painkillers.
Acupuncture can be used as a precursor to other rehabilitative modalities such as graded strengthening and conditioning programs, giving the body a better chance of responding efficiently and quickly to therapy. Our Physiotherapists are recognized by the UK’s regulating body AACP and have regular CPD in acupuncture to improve their competency.