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#weareNHFT Northamptonshire Healthcare WHAT IS ? NHS Foundation Trust Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points of the body to stimulate or relax the body. The different Northamptonshire Healthcare types of acupuncture are: NHS Foundation Trust TRADITIONAL CHINESE St Mary’s Hospital ACUPUNCTURE (TCM) Kettering NN15 7PW Traditional Chinese Medicine traces back Telephone: 01604 682682 to 1000BC and is based on energy (Qi www.nhft.nhs.uk pronounced “chi”) and its flow through channels, known as meridians throughout the body. If this energy is flowing freely, the body is thought to be in a healthy state. However illness and injury can stop or excessively increase the flow of energy and is likely to increase . The energy flow can be affected by inserting needles into acupuncture points, this helps to restore the normal flow of energy and relieve signs and INFORMATION symptoms, including pain. FOR PATIENTS WESTERN APPROACH Western acupuncture is based on the release of chemicals in the nervous system, such as pain relieving and anti-inflammatory. It also involves specific relaxation of muscles (trigger point acupuncture). Research shows the effectiveness of acupuncture for pain relief, 01604 682682 MAKING A therefore is used by physiotherapists as part nhft.nhs.uk of a comprehensive treatment plan. DIFFERENCE FOR YOU, WITH YOU

v-0717-3 Review date: July 2019 HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK? The number of treatments you need will vary WILL ACUPUNCTURE according to your response to acupuncture. The physiotherapist will select points that are: Normally, after three to four sessions it will be WORK FOR ME? • Close to the painful area clear as to whether acupuncture is beneficial and a decision will be made whether to Physiotherapists use acupuncture for • Distal (away from the area) continue with treatment. If there is no change a number of reasons, mainly to reduce The needles are sterile, single use and disposable. in symptoms or if any change is temporary, no pain. It can be used in the treatment You may feel a mild ache, numbness, warmth further treatment is required. of a variety of conditions, such as; and heavy sensation as the needle is inserted Please advise your physiotherapist if you and chronic injuries, and (known as ’De Qi’). This is a sign that the body is experience any unusual side effects following rheumatism, back and neck pain, muscle reacting to the acupuncture. The needles may treatment or if you have any further questions. and joint problems and sports injuries. be stimulated by a twisting motion at regular It does not work for everybody and every intervals throughout your treatment to regain condition, however, positive results this sensation and cause local inflammatory are achieved when more conventional changes. treatment has failed. Acupuncture is not Treatment time can vary from two minutes to spiritual, therefore you don’t have to 10 or 30 minutes. The number of needles may believe in acupuncture for it to work. also vary depending on your condition and symptoms. The effects of acupuncture are cumulative, with the pain relief building FOLLOWING TREATMENT up as the treatment progresses. Some After treatment you may feel immediate people respond well, while others may relief of symptoms. Some people will feel no see little benefit until they have had a immediate difference, however will feel a gradual number of treatments (this is more likely improvement, whilst others may feel an initial with a ). Sometimes, increase or more intense symptoms. This may the condition may become slightly last up to 24 hours, and is normally followed worse at first. This is not a bad sign as it by a period of improvement. Some people feel usually means the condition will respond refreshed and relaxed following acupuncture BEFORE YOUR FIRST SESSION eventually. The results of a number of while others may feel very tired. To begin with, it Please ensure of the following before your first controlled clinical trials have been used is a good idea to arrange appointments, to allow session of acupuncture: by NICE to inform their recommendation yourself time to rest. We recommend avoiding of acupuncture as a treatment for low driving long distances or carrying out strenuous • You have signed the consent forms . activity immediately after treatment. If you do • You have eaten at least four hours prior feel unusually tired, avoid driving or operating to treatment machinery until this feeling passes. • You are wearing appropriate clothing