Western Medical Acupuncture
Western medical acupuncture is a therapeutic modality involving the insertion of fine needles; it is an adaptation of Chinese acupuncture using current knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology, and the principles of evidence based medicine.
Acupuncture is another treatment tool at the disposal of your osteopath. Unlike many adjuncts used by practitioners Acupuncture has a fairly good evidence-base behind it, mainly for nausea and pain. It is particularly effective for post-operative and scar tissue pain, as well as headaches and pelvic pain.
Tiny needles that are barely noticeable are inserted into painful and non-painful areas of the body that relate to the problematic area in some way. It feels nothing like having an injection - the needles are so fine you can hardly feel them going in. Most people are surprised that they don't even notice them going in!
While Western medical acupuncture has evolved from Chinese acupuncture, its practitioners no longer adhere to concepts such as Yin/Yang and circulation of qi, and regard acupuncture as part of conventional medicine rather than a complete “alternative medical system”.
Practitioners of Western medical acupuncture tend to pay less attention than classical acupuncturists to choosing one point over another, though they generally choose classical points as the best places to stimulate the nervous system.
After a short period of time the needles are taken out. Sometimes the relief from pain is instantaneous, other times several sessions are needed to overcome the pain signals. Your practitioner will be able to judge how you will respond and will discuss this with you at the first appointment.