Acupuncture is one of a number of different types of treatment a
physiotherapist can offer you, and although it's considered a form
of alternative medicine, it's actually the only complementary
therapy that's proved effective enough to gain backing from the
National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE).
Especially beneficial in cases of lower back, neck and knee pain,
many qualified physiotherapists now choose to complete specific
post-graduate training in acupuncture and become a member of the
AACP (Acupuncture Association for Chartered Physiotherapists). In
physiotherapy, acupuncture is usually used in conjunction with
other treatments for musculoskeletal problems and focuses mainly on
relieving pain, although many people visit Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncturists who also treat wider
conditions such as addictions, mood disorders or phobias. It's also
used as a preventative measure, maintaining good health and
well-being.
What exactly is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of ancient Chinese medicine that's been in
use for over three thousand years. It's based on the theory that
the body's natural vitality and communications system,
Qi (pronounced "chee"), moves through the body in
channels called meridians.
The traditional belief is that these Qi channels can become
blocked and cause illness, requiring acupuncture
to restore proper flow. It may sound unlikely to us modern types,
but as we've learnt more about how the body functions, many western
practitioners have actually found that acupuncture works on
scientific terms too. Many of the traditional meridians have been
discovered to cover trigger points for pain (places in the muscle
that cause pain to radiate outwards) or even body areas that affect
how the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord)
transmits pain signals.
Manipulating and stimulating the body tissue at these points seems
to be effective in treating discomfort, although we still aren't
altogether sure why. There is currently no scientific evidence for
the existence of Qi or meridians, and much more research is needed
before we can fully understand how acupuncture works.
What does treatment involve?
Acupuncture treatment involves inserting fine, sterile
needles into the body at specific points along the
meridians. The needles are lightly manipulated to stimulate Qi,
which produces a dull, aching feeling which can be a bit of a
strange sensation if not clearly explained beforehand!
Acupuncturists aim to get this response because it activates
pressure in the points, causing the most relief. Some points are
commonly renowned for being more easy to activate and more powerful
in easing pain.
In treating back pain, acupuncturists will usually focus on points
at the pain location, or key points on both sides of the lower back
- even with one-sided pain. Distal points (points
that aren't at the site of pain, but have been identified as being
effective in treatment of the problem) are also usually added in
the foot, or lower leg. Some points that treat general muscle or
tendon injuries, bone and joint pains or ligament problems may be
also be included, irrespective of the specific pain location.
(image source: http://www.bodyharmonics.co.uk
)
How long does treatment last - and how often to have
it?
Acupuncture sessions usually take from around 20 to 30 minutes,
with the needles remaining in situ. Initial assessments may
use the needles for less time, building up the treatment time and
needle numbers as the patient becomes more familiar with the
process.
The effect of acupuncture is cumulative, so treatment can extend
over a few sessions - usually 6 to 8. Pain relief builds up as the
treatment progresses, with some people responding rapidly and
others taking more time. For instance, chronic conditions often
take longer to respond and occasionally even become worse at first,
but usually respond well after the initial phase of
discomfort.
Are there any side effects, or reasons not to undertake
acupuncture?
There are very few reported side effects from acupuncture, and
those that do occur tend to be mild and self-correcting - like
dizziness or slight bruising around needle points. However, as with
any treatment there are some circumstances in which acupuncture
isn't recommended - those with metal allergies or haemophilia
aren't advised to undergo treatment at all, and people with
pace-makers should only do so with caution.
The real question is - how effective is
acupuncture?
Despite being an alternative medicine and not always thought of as
the go-to treatment by many practitioners, acupuncture has been
found to be very useful in treating several conditions. In fact,
it's been so effective in producing relief for lower back pain in
particular that the NHS now provide it as a treatment, and it's
recognized by the NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence)
- who recommend 10 sessions.
If you are interested in using acupuncture to treat your lower
back pain, many physiotherapists working both privately and in the
NHS can help. They also may be able to discuss the particulars of
your problem, whether it's suited to treatment or recommend a TCM
acupuncturist.
Gemma Newell is a Physiotherapist at www.central-health.com
