Do you know what acupuncture points are?
They are actually points on the body that have a lower skin resistance than other areas of the body when they are measured electrically, their location remaining unchanging from person to person.
Acupuncture needles are stainless steel needles used to stimulate these points. They are one-time-use sterilized needles that are pre-packaged.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture can be used to reduce pain by stimulating endorphins, “the feel good hormones” which are the body’s naturally occurring opiates (the same endorphins that are released with cardiovascular exercise). These endorphins attach to receptor sites in the brain, as well as throughout the nervous system and are responsible for the analgesic effect of acupuncture. Patients often report increased wellness and relaxation after an acupuncture treatment.
What conditions may benefit from acupuncture?
Acupuncture can be used to treat muscle strains, tendonitis, sprains, facial pain, headaches, neck/back pain, frozen shoulder, and repetitive strain injuries, to awaken a nerve, or for joint pain (i.e. arthritis etc.). Studies have shown that it is particularly helpful with long-standing pain.
Within the physiotherapy framework, the selection of points stems from an anatomical basis. For example, if one has pain lifting the arm to the side, knowing which muscle is involved in this movement as well as the nerve that supplies that muscle would lead to choosing an acupuncture point that would be used to wake up that nerve.
Contact us at East Gwillimbury Physiotherapy to find out how acupuncture sessions can be part of your physiotherapy treatment plan!
