Pain
Pain is one of the most common reasons for choosing
acupuncture treatment.

There are different theories as to why it can be effective: it
may block the pain messages to the brain, or act as a type of
counter-pain, or stimulate the body's own natural pain-killing
substances.

Back pain, migraine, sciatica, arthritis, tendonitis and sprains
are some of the painful conditions which acupuncture can help
relieve.

Many people find some relief from the very first treatment, but
in most cases, especially if the problem is a long-standing one
or it is aggravated by your job or lifestyle, a course of
treatment will be needed. Sometimes the relief is temporary at
first, but increases with more treatments, as acupuncture has
a cumulative effect on the body.

Most people who come for treatment will be given acupuncture
but we may also support this with tui na massage,
moxibustion, electro acupuncture, cupping, medicated oils
and plasters where appropriate. Some of these practices can
even replace acupuncture, rather than support it, for those who
really do not like the idea of needles!

Low Back Pain

In May 2009 the National Institute for Health and Clinical
Excellence (NICE) published guidelines for the management
of non-specific low back pain.

NICE recommended that people with low back pain would
benefit from being physically active and to carry on with normal
activities as far as possible, with drug treatments as
appropriate to help them stay active and manage their pain.

NICE also recommended that one of the following treatments
should be considered:
- an exercise programme
- a course of manual therapy
- a course of acupuncture treatment
If one of these does not offer a satisfactory improvement,
another should be tried.

NICE Quick reference guide: low back pain

NICE Low back pain: patient information leaflet