The use of acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine can be traced back 3000 years. The Chinese theory is that needles inserted into the body provide a means of balancing the flow of energy or 'Qi' around the body. This corrects imbalances of Qi that can lead to disease, pain and disability.

Your physiotherapist will quickly insert fine needles through the skin into the tissues. Acupuncture treatment should not be painful although some people report a pinprick sensation.

Once the needles are in place you may feel a mild ache, numbness, warm or heavy sensation around the needle. This should not be unpleasant. It is referred to as 'De Qi' and is a sign that the body's pain relieving mechanisms are being stimulated.

Commonly a treatment session will involve the insertion of between 2 and 16 needles. Once the needles are in place your physiotherapist may gently stimulate them until you experiece the De Qi sensation. The needles may be placed around the painful area or in a different part of the body, often in the hands or feet. Needles may be left in place between a few seconds and 30 minutes.

All practioners in the clinic are members of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists. They have trained to a recognised standard and abide by rules of professional conduct. Only single use, sterile needles are used in the clinic.

Acupuncture is safer than many drug therapies. However, any proceedurethat involves inserting a needle can have side effects.

Acupuncture may not be appropriate if you are preganant or certain specific medical conditions. Your physiotherapist will take a full history and discuss this with you before starting any treatment.