Acupuncture

Traditionally, the Ancient Masters have explained that acupuncture works because ‘Qi’ (also known as ‘Vital Force’ or ‘Bio-Energy’) exists and moves throughout the body, flowing in and out of clearly defined ‘Channels of Energy’. Current research indicates some correlations between acupuncture channels with nerve pathways and fascia tissue.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific areas of the body. The needles stimulate specific acupuncture points, helping to improve the body’s functions, promote the natural self-healing process and resist disease. 

There are also many theoretical explanations for the effects commonly seen during and after acupuncture treatment. For example, acupuncture has been seen to raise the levels of specific hormones, white blood cells and anti-bodies generally.

There is also the ‘endorphin’ theory, which explains that acupuncture can stimulate its own painkillers and so releases endorphins, the ‘feel-good’ chemicals.

Other theories include the central nervous system or the cardiovascular system.

A lot of people seek acupuncture to help relieve specific conditions, especially pain conditions such as tension headaches, migraines, neck or back pain, osteoarthritis of the knee and temporomandibular joint pain. Clinical trials have shown that acupuncture does relieve these symptoms, at least in the short term.  For some painful conditions the benefits have been shown to last at least a year.

Whatever your particular problem, because treatment is designed to affect your whole body and not just your symptoms, you may notice other niggling complaints also get better with a course of treatment. Indeed, some people choose acupuncture when they feel their bodily functions are out of balance, but they have no obvious diagnosis. Once tried, many people have regular or ‘top-up’ treatments because they find it so beneficial and relaxing. For some conditions, such as migraine, acupuncture can be given to prevent flare-ups from occurring. Another benefit of acupuncture is that it can be given alongside other therapies and/ or medication, in almost all circumstances.

Researchers can only draw firm conclusions about whether acupuncture is effective or not when high quality evidence is available. In the last decade, the evidence regarding some chronic pain conditions has become much stronger. Based on this evidence, in 2017, the National Institute for Health and Research issued a Signal (a short summary of recently published research) that acupuncture was effective for some chronic pain and was not a placebo. However, for many conditions there are simply not enough good quality clinical trials for researchers to draw firm conclusions. Please see British Acupuncture Council’s Acupuncture research Evidence A-Z /or the Cochrane Library.

Acupuncture is currently included in the following guidelines:

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE):

• Headaches in over 12s: diagnosis and management (CG150) 
• Chronic pain (primary and secondary) in over 16s: assessment of all chronic pain and management of chronic primary pain (CG193)  

Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN):

Management of chronic pain SIGN 136 for

• lower back pain
• osteoarthritis

Prior to your first treatment at the Manchester Movement Unit, you’ll have a full consultation with your acupuncturist, this most commonly carried out online via video call.

They’ll ask questions about your condition, and will also ask in detail about your general health, take your pulses and look at your tongue to gain further insights as to how your body is functioning.

During this time, they’ll reframe what you have to say using the clinical reasoning tools that form the basis of Chinese medicine to come to a diagnosis, and to identify appropriate treatment options for you.

Your acupuncturist will discuss the treatments with you, and they may include suggesting changes to your diet or lifestyle, as well as acupuncture itself.

For your first treatment, your acupuncture practitioner may insert eight to ten very fine needles in your lower legs, back or wrists, and may leave you to rest with them in for 15 minutes or so.

Your first session at the clinic will involve further investigation including: questioning, observation, manual muscle testing and palpation of key areas, followed by treatment. This will last approximately 60 minutes.  At the following sessions, your acupuncturist will review your progress before continuing your treatment, and for these sessions you should allow 45 to 60 minutes.

The number of acupuncture treatments you’ll need depends on the length of time you have had the problem, the nature of the problem, and on how you react to acupuncture. Your acupuncture practitioner will discuss this with you and make a recommended treatment plan.

Does acupuncture hurt?

Most people find acupuncture painless.

You might feel a little tingling, small prick or a dull ache as the practitioner inserts each needle but many people find it painless and relaxing.

Are the acupuncture needles sterile?

Yes, the acupuncture needles we use at the Manchester Movement Unit are sterile.

The needles we use are subject to many quality control procedures. Each acupuncture needle is pre-sterilised, has a ‘best before’ date, and is single-use, so they are disposed of after use.

What should I wear for acupuncture? 

It’s best to wear loose, comfortable clothing for your acupuncture treatment.

You don’t need to bring anything to the appointment with you.

Can I eat before my acupuncture treatment?

We recommend that you don’t come to your appointment after you’ve just eaten or when you’re really hungry.

Acupuncture should be a relaxing experience, so please allow enough time so that you feel relaxed and unhurried during your treatment.

Who is providing treatment?

Currently we only have a male practitioner available for Acupuncture.

I’d like to learn more about acupuncture

You can find further information on acupuncture on the British Acupuncture Council’s website.

British Acupuncture Council

The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine

The Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP)

For student and staff prices, please show your Manchester Metropolitan University ID.

Payment

We accept all major credit and debit cards (except American Express).

Cancellation Policy

If you are able to notify us of a cancellation 24 hours prior to your appointment, we will be able to provide you with a full refund or we can rearrange your appointment.

If you do not attend or cancel your appointment with less than 24 hours’ notice the appointment fee will still be charged. The fee will be required before subsequent appointments can be booked.