Acupuncture Clinic

Here at The Abbey Physiotherapy Acupuncture Clinic, we use acupuncture to create a number of effects, such as pain relief, muscle relaxation, and stimulating tissue healing. Abbey Physiotherapy practitioners who offer acupuncture are all fully trained and members of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists, ensuring they meet strict regulation criteria on safety and undertake mandatory and voluntary continuing professional development.

What can Acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture can be used for physical therapy in a wide variety of conditions, soft tissue injuries, lower back pain, neck pain causing tightness or stiffness, joint strains and sprains, headache, arthritis, post-surgery, and rehab. Pretty much anything you might seek help from a Physiotherapist for could benefit from acupuncture!

Can Acupuncture Help Me?

Why not ask our Qualified Acupuncturists? Book in for an assessment at our Acupuncture Clinic and we will discuss with you what benefits it could offer for your condition. Only single-use, sterile disposable needles are used for your complete safety and most patients find it a calming, relaxing experience.

Will Acupuncture Treatment hurt?

Most people are a little worried about the process, but here at Abbey Physiotherapy, we are used to putting people at their ease. After explaining the treatment procedure to you and gaining consent, we will offer you a trial of maybe just one needle to see how you feel. Some people feel a small scratch as the needle enters but this sensation quickly settles. After this there may be a sensation of dull aching, warmth, or tingling, which research shows is associated with a good response (The Chinese call this the D'Qi) If you try it and don't like it, we will of course immediately remove the needle. If you are pleasantly surprised, like most, then we can proceed to additional needles to gain the required effects

Is it safe?

Before undertaking any acupuncture treatment, at Abbey Physiotherapy, we take time to explain the procedure to you, along with any risks and possible side effects. We ask you to complete a consent form, ensuring you are happy before we start treatment. If there are any areas of concern, we may ask to gain consent from your GP or consultant before proceeding with treatment. We do recommend you eat a little something within 2 hours prior to having treatment, to ensure your blood sugar levels are not low. If during the treatment you experience any side effects, we will, of course, remove the needles and ensure you are fully recovered before leaving the clinic.

Any questions? Please do contact us if you have any more specific questions about this treatment

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture has Chinese origins and is classed as a traditional Chinese medicine. Medical acupuncture is a form of therapy involving inserting fine needles into the skin at very specific points along lines of the nerves, referred to as acupuncture points, stimulating muscle fibres and blood flow. It is commonly used for pain relief and a wide range of other physical effects and aims to encourage the body to reduce pain and inflammation, promote natural healing, and improve functioning.  It moved from being classified as a complementary therapy in 1997 as the body of medical evidence backing up its beneficial effects. Eastern explanations of meridians and Yin and Yang energy are still used by some practitioners to illustrate the effects but our Physiotherapists are western acupuncture trained and refer to the mechanisms that fit with our traditional understanding of the body, namely chemical and mechanical effects. Acupuncture offers reductions in pain and stress levels leading to improved health in a holistic, safe and natural way with no artificial drugs or chemicals. There are many Various disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system usually result in inflammation and pain in the areas of the body such as back, shoulder, neck and knee pain.

Trigger Point Acupuncture

When muscle tissue is damaged, the muscle fibres respond by contracting and tightening. initially designed to aid healing but if it continues to react this way can actually delay it. Trigger point therapy is a slightly more aggressive, direct manipulation of muscular tight bands known as trigger points using needle stimulation. Also used to relax muscles following trauma, muscles which have been overworked and may be related to incorrect posture.  Trigger Point acupuncture or Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling is a scientifically proven method of pain management used to alleviate tightness, muscle soreness, muscle pain, nerve pain and referral pain.

The use of an Acupuncture needle in myofascial trigger points is a proven traditional Chinese Medicine which has crossed the boundaries from complementary medicine to a proven western medicine therapy. It is established to have remarkable healing properties in the treatment and relieving of pain, reducing discomfort. Because of its whole body response in can help to improve general health, reduce recovery time and be effective in preventing illness in the future. Acupuncture also can improve the functioning of the immune system the body’s defence system against diseases. its great when used for Physical rehabilitation in conjunction with massage therapy working towards leaving the client pain free.