What is Acupuncture?
Traditional acupuncture is a form of ancient Chinese medicine dating back nearly two thousand years. It involves the insertion of fine needles into various locations around the body to treat a range of illnesses and medical conditions.
More recently, western medical acupuncture (dry needling) has been widely used by doctors and therapists within the NHS and private clinics. It combines traditional Chinese medicine principles with modern day evidence based research, and is utilised by many of the world’s greatest athletes, sports people, and celebrities to treat muscle and joint pain and conditions, including arthritis.
What is Acupuncture Used For?
Lower Back Pain: Helps relieve pain by reducing inflammation and improving blood flow.
Headaches & Migraines: Eases tension and reduces the frequency and severity of headaches.
Osteoarthritis: Lessens joint pain and helps with movement by boosting natural pain relief chemicals.
Muscle Tension: Loosens tight muscles and reduces spasms.
Joint Pain: Eases pain and swelling in joints, helping you move more easily.
After Surgery: Helps manage pain and may reduce the need for painkillers.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Western Medical Acupuncture
Western medical acupuncture (dry needling) is a therapeutic technique involving small needles to stimulate sensory nerves under the skin and in the muscles, prompting the body to release chemicals such as endorphins, which help in pain relief, relaxing muscle tension and improve blood flow to injured tissue. A course of acupuncture is usually recommended because it can take a few sessions for you to see improvements.
Traditional Acupuncture
Traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that energy, or “life force,” flows through the body in channels called meridians. This energy is known as Qi (pronounced “chee”). Practitioners of traditional acupuncture believe that disruptions in the flow of Qi can cause illness or injury, much like a break in an electrical circuit.
NICE Recommendations
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) currently recommends considering acupuncture for chronic (long term) pain, back pain & neck pain, joint and muscle pain, chronic tension headaches, and migraines. These recommendations are based on scientific evidence.
Why Choose NJD Sports Injury Centre for Acupuncture?
Everyone responds differently to acupuncture, with some experiencing significant benefits and others noticing little change. At NJD Sports Injury Centre, we use safe and effective acupuncture to reduce pain and treat various musculoskeletal conditions, including sports injuries. We often combine acupuncture with other treatments to offer a comprehensive , approach to your recovery.
See how acupuncture can help you achieve lasting pain relief and improved well-being. Call us on 01200 424 507 or email us
Acupuncture FAQ's
Initial acupuncture treatments last 10-20 minutes, with follow-up sessions potentially lasting longer depending on the condition being treated.
Yes, all our needles are sterile, single-use, and disposed of immediately after use.
You may feel slight discomfort when the needles are inserted, including sensations of tingling, tightness, or a dull ache. You should not experience significant pain; if you do, inform your practitioner immediately.
Our experienced and qualified acupuncture practitioners ensure that the application of acupuncture is generally very safe.
If you have a bleeding disorder, such as haemophilia, or are taking anticoagulants, talk to your GP before having acupuncture and inform your therapist before your treatment.
It’s generally safe to have acupuncture during pregnancy. However, let our therapists know in advance if you are pregnant, as certain acupuncture points cannot be used safely during pregnancy.
Yes, but you need to let the blood clinic know before you give blood