In this blog, we explore 5 Acupuncture Myths and shed some reality on these!
Our Physiotherapists and Sports Therapists will often use acupuncture as part of their treatment programme here at goPhysio. As well as traditional acupuncture, they will use also use a technique called ‘myofascial acupuncture’, which helps to relieve pain and tension.
Acupuncture Myth #1 Acupuncture treatment is painful
Reality Acupuncture isn’t pain-free, but it’s not as bad as you might think! Acupuncture is less painful than having blood taken or an injection, as the needles are so fine. You may feel a tiny ‘sting’ as the needle goes in, but many people don’t feel anything. The discomfort you tend to experience with acupuncture while the needles are in place is a deep dull aching, known as ‘De Qi’. According to traditional Chinese practice is the stimulation of energy at that point and is a good sign the needles are doing their job.
Acupuncture Myth #2 I can’t give blood if I have acupuncture
Reality: If you have had acupuncture by a qualified healthcare professional registered with a statutory body (such as the AACP), you are safe to give blood. If the acupuncturist is not registered then you can’t give blood for 4 months. You may need to ask your acupuncturist for their registration number to take when you give blood.
Acupuncture Myth #3 I’ll be covered in plasters after my acupuncture session.
Reality Very rarely do you bleed after having acupuncture – the needles are so fine and your skin is so elastic, the point where the needle has been closes up with no need for a plaster! You probably won’t even see where the needles have been.
Acupuncture Myth #4 Acupuncture is psychological. It doesn’t really do anything.
Fact: The effects of acupuncture are far from psychological. Studies show that during acupuncture, the brain releases chemicals such as endorphins (natural painkillers) into circulation. Acupuncture also has an anti-inflammatory effect which can help people’s immune system.
Acupuncture Myth #5 If I don’t feel results after one or two treatments, then I’m not going to benefit from acupuncture.
Reality Individuals respond to acupuncture in different ways. Some people respond quickly within one or two sessions. Others need a full course of 6-8 sessions. The effects of acupuncture are cumulative, building with each treatment. Acupuncturists use a variety of techniques, so if you do not see results with one technique, then the acupuncturist may choose a different technique the subsequent time. As Clinicians, we also use acupuncture to support other treatments to help your recovery, so it is rarely used in isolation.
#Acupuncture #AACP #AcupunctureAwareness
Here’s how acupuncture helped one of our patients who was suffering with neck pain and stiffness.
“My name is Martin and I’m a local sales manager, who commutes for a living & works a lot on the laptop. During a recent very busy period at work I suddenly developed a really stiff & painful neck. I was commuting hundreds of miles & nothing would ease the pain.
Then through the recommendation of a friend I went to see Paul at goPhysio. Paul used what he called ‘myofascial acupuncture’. This involved targeting the needles at the source of my pain. He also gave me confidence that it was OK to move my neck and some exercises to help get it moving again. Within only a couple of sessions the treatment relieved all my muscle spasm & pain, much to my delight. Without Paul’s treatment I think my neck would have got stiffer and stiffer and the pain would have got worse. He gave me lot’s of advice how to prevent it becoming a problem again too – thinking about my driving and working on my computer especially.
I don’t hesitate to recommend goPhysio now to anyone in pain!”, Martin, Chandlers Ford
