What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a treatment developed in China about 2,000 years ago that consists of pricking the patient with a special needle.  Although still not fully understood today, the traditional ideas have changed and a type of Modern Acupuncture is increasingly being practiced and acceptable here in the West - Western Acupuncture. Documented acupuncture in the hands and feet have been shown to produce the best and most reliable results compared to treatments in other areas. This is why we use it here at Manor Croft Clinic.

Why and when is acupuncture used?

Primarily it is used for pain relief, either by itself or in conjunction with other treatments. It might be offered as an initial treatment option but, more likely, it will be offered alongside traditional treatments in order to 'fast track' pain relief. Sometimes, where 'normal' treatments fail to produce a reduction/resolution of symptoms, acupuncture may be offered. Your practitioner will advise.

How does it work?

We cannot yet explain this in detail but we do have some clues.

• In many cases, the practitioner makes use of 'trigger points'. These are areas, usually in muscle, that hurt when pressed and cause pain to radiate to other places that may be some distance away.  Needling the trigger point can relieve pain in these distant areas, although we do not know exactly how this happens.

• Acupuncture can still work even when there are no trigger points. In such cases it probably acts by changing the ways in which the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) is transmitting information about pain.

• It is important to understand that acupuncture does have measurable effects on the body even though we can't explain them all in detail. You don't have to believe in it for it to work!

What diseases/disorders can be helped by acupuncture?

It is not possible to give a complete list, partly because a lot depends on the reaction of the individual patient.  Some people are much better subjects than others, and some do not respond at all. In general, acupuncture is good for pain, especially pain in the muscles and joints (including some kinds of arthritis). It can also help in a range of other disorders. Here at Manor Croft Clinic we are interested in problems occurring in the feet such as plantar digital neuritis, plantar fasciitis, aches & sprains and generalised pain.