Muscular and skeletal conditions

Acupuncture has a good record of helping to treat and manage muscular and skeletal conditions including:

Lower back pain

Sciatica

Shoulder tension and injuries

Neck tension and injuries

Arthritic conditions including knees, hands and fingers

Tennis and golfer’s elbow

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Sprain and strains

Here are some links to research documents and other information where you can read more about acupuncture and these types of conditions.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7011738.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5345774.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4493011.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4111047.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/545019.stm

What to expect from treatment for this type of condition

I have treated a large number of individuals with muscular and skeletal problems. I have found the majority of people respond favourably following treatment with acupuncture and many people will leave the treatment feeling immediate relief. However the condition invariably becomes more challenging to treat in older people over 75, especially if they have had the condition for a long time.

Long-term chronic conditions will often improve with treatment, although it may become a question of management of the condition rather than complete cure, depending on the individual problem.

I normally suggest trying treatment for three to four sessions at approximately weekly intervals and then reviewing progress. I always try to stretch out the intervals between treatments where this is beneficial to the patient.

I cannot guarantee results unfortunately, but I do my very best to achieve positive results. To this end, when you come along for an appointment, I will normally apply more than acupuncture and a session may include some of the following:

Tuina (Chinese massage)

I am likely to use some short, light massage before I use acupuncture in many conditions.

Electro-acupuncture

This is a painless current that is passed through the needles and is often very helpful in pain relief. I rarely use this on the first treatment. Some of you will have come across TENS machines, and this treatment is similar, except more effective through the needles I insert, rather than TENS pads. 

Heat treatment

I use an infrared heat lamp, plus topical herbs to help absorb the heat. Please note that heat treatment is only available at my home clinic in Busbridge, Godalming, as the equipment is not portable. Most patients thoroughly enjoy the sensation of the heat on the affected area and it can help relieve tension and improve blood circulation.

Cupping

This is an effective and painless type of massage using cups that ‘pull’, rather than ‘push’, as in standard massage. They are helpful in pain relief, and help to increase movement and circulation in the effected area. I often use cups at the end of a session but have sometimes used them where a patient is nervous of needles. They can be very effective in producing positive results on their own.

Exercises

Where appropriate, I will suggest a small number of stretching exercises that may help you manage the condition at home. Many conditions can be effectively supported by a routine of daily short stretches.