At West 1 Physiotherapy acupuncture is one of the many skills used within our scope of practise. It can be used as part of an integrated, multi-dimensional approach to the management of pain and inflammation in order to restore normal function and movement and enhance rehabilitation. Physiotherapists can utilize the pain relieving benefits of acupuncture as a precursor to other forms of manual or exercise therapy with the aim to improve recovery time.

There is a sound research and evidence base for the use of acupuncture by Physiotherapists. Acupuncture is used to enhance pain modulation via the stimulation of the brain and spinal cord using specific points on the body. This stimulation promotes the production of the body’s naturally occurring chemicals such as endorphins to relieve pain, melatonin to promote sleep and serotonin to promote well-being. These chemicals assist the body's healing process and enhance the body’s ability to ‘self-repair’.

All our physiotherapists have completed approved and recognised acupunctures courses and adhere to the standards set out by the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP).

If you would like more information upon how acupuncture is integrated into our practice please speak to one of our physiotherapists. Alternatively you can visit www.aacp.org.uk for further information.