Acupuncture Treatment in Cheltenham
The Proven Healing Benefits of Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture is an ancient form of therapy which originated in China. The Chinese belief regarding acupuncture is that energy or ‘Qi’ pronounced ‘chee’ flows through our bodies and that insertion of needles helps to reduce pain and improve your function by targeting different pathways of energy in your body. Straight Back Physio uses an evidence based Medical Acupuncture approach known as Dry Needling in their Cheltenham clinic.
Dry Needling is not strictly acupuncture; it is based on a modern scientific study of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. This treatment technique provides an environment that enhances the body’s ability to heal which ultimately reduces pain and is widely used in professional sports. There are many similarities and differences between dry needling and acupuncture. Licensed physiotherapists are increasingly using dry needling under the scope of their practice. Dry needling is strictly based on Western medicine principles and research.
We insert very hair-thin sterile needles into precise spots on your body. The procedure usually causes very little pain, most people usually only feel a small prick. We use acupuncture to help reduce pain, conquer your muscle knots, improve your range of motion, and reduce your stress. We also integrate acupuncture into many of our treatment plans for a wide range of injuries, from sprains and strains to sports injuries, arthritis, back, neck, shoulder pain, whether acute or chronic and inflammation.
You can be confident in our expertise as we are governed by the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists and are registered acupuncturists with Cheltenham Borough Council.
Acupuncture does it work
The NICE chronic pain guidelines (2021) recommend acupuncture for people with chronic i.e. long-term pain.
If you are simply looking to take tension out of overly tight or stressed neck and shoulder areas, then acupuncture is a very relaxing treatment for many people. If you have a problem which is currently too painful to treat with hands on treatments but need effective pain relief and relaxation, this is perfect and can help you to progress your recovery.
Needles are usually inserted either just under the skin, or sometimes deeper so that they reach the muscle, these are typically left in position for 20-30 minutes before being removed. Several insertion points may be used during a session depending on the symptoms that you have. The needles that we use are very fine, and are pre-sterilised single use, which will be carefully disposed of after use.
Acupuncture was once described as alternative medicine but how our acupuncturists work is now considered mainstream. Acupuncture stimulates the body to produce endorphins and oxytocin, which are the body's natural pain and stress relieving chemicals. It promotes sleep by stimulating the release of melatonin in the body and encourages a sense of well-being by stimulating the release of serotonin. Acupuncture also stimulates nerve fibres to block out pain signals and helps to reduce the sensitivity of tender points in the body.
A course of acupuncture treatment is usually recommended because it can take a few sessions for you to see improvements.
“Stuart diagnosed my condition, explained it so ! could understand what was going on with massage, acupuncture, and exercises and helped me recover within a few months. I would absolutely recommend Stuart to anyone with a back problem.”
Becky, Google review
What does acupuncture treat
Dry Needling / Medical Acupuncture is for anyone with musculoskeletal conditions such as joint and muscle pain such as neck pain, shoulder impingement, tennis or golfers elbow, sciatica, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, hip pain, knee pain, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, or low-back pain, overuse injuries and much more.
We often use dry needling in our Cheltenham clinic alongside other treatments such as manual manipulation to treat specific conditions.
If you feel that you have trigger points, muscle knots, areas of tightness or scar tissue problems from an injury then medical acupuncture is a great way of helping to reduce symptoms and kick start your recovery alongside rehabilitation.
Acupuncture benefits
Acupuncture has extensive benefits.
- Acupuncture treatments don’t involve surgery or medication. This makes them safe for individuals who can’t or don’t want to undergo other forms of treatment for pain relief with the addition that it has no side effects.
- Acupuncture needles stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers produced by the body. This can help to reduce pain and promote healing in the injured area.
- Acupuncture can improve blood flow to the injured area. It helps by delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to your muscles, the benefit from acupuncture is that it promotes healing and reduces inflammation.
- It can help to loosen up the muscles and joints, allowing for greater range of motion and flexibility.
- It can help to reduce the formation of scar tissue, a common side effect of injury, which can limit range of motion and cause pain and discomfort.
- It can help to improve sleep quality and promote relaxation. Sleep and rest are crucial for the body to heal and recover.
- It can help to reduce stress levels, calming the nervous system. Stress can slow down the healing process and make it more difficult to recover from injury.
Book now
We offer acupuncture in Cheltenham as a stand-alone treatment or integrated into broader treatment plans. Our licensed acupuncturists will work with you to tailor your care plan, based on your medical history, current condition and recovery goals.
We understand that some people may want to find out a bit more about the cost before they book an appointment at our physiotherapy clinic. Our unique save as you recover packages can save you up to 20% on the cost of a single session.
For most injuries our chartered physio can usually treat you within 4 to 8 sessions.
Insured
We can either work directly with your insurance company or we can provide receipts for patients who use cash-based plans so you can reclaim your treatment costs.
Not Insured
You can book an appointment on a self referral basis, without the need for seeing your GP first.
Why Choose Us
No other local physiotherapy clinic can offer you the same level of physiotherapy and rehabilitation that we can, simply because they don't have our level of experience and our in-house gym facilities.
This is how we gained our reputation of treating patients when other physios may have failed.