Curious about acupuncture? Read our latest blog to learn what it does to your body and how our team of physiotherapists in Newcastle use it to treat pain.
Acupuncture is one of those treatments that people are often curious about but unsure of. If you've never had it before, the idea of fine needles being inserted into your skin can feel daunting. But understanding what's actually happening in your body during a session goes a long way towards demystifying the process, and explains why it's such an effective tool within physiotherapy.
The Physiological Response
Acupuncture is derived from ancient Chinese medicine, but its effects are well supported by modern scientific research. When fine needles are inserted at specific points in the body, they stimulate the brain and spinal cord to produce natural pain-relieving chemicals. These include endorphins, which reduce the perception of pain, serotonin, which promotes wellbeing, and melatonin, which supports sleep and the body's natural recovery processes.
This neurochemical response is why acupuncture doesn't just offer temporary relief. It actively assists the body's own healing mechanisms, making it particularly effective as a precursor to other treatments such as manual therapy and rehabilitation exercises.
What Acupuncture Can Treat
Here at Gosforth Physio & Wellness, our Newcastle physiotherapy team uses acupuncture to treat a wide range of conditions, including:
· Headaches and migraines
· Shoulder, hip, and knee pain
· Tennis elbow and Achilles tendonitis
· Nerve pain and joint pain
· Osteoarthritis and plantar fasciitis
· Jaw pain and TMJ dysfunction
Sessions typically last between 20 and 40 minutes, with needles left in place for around 20 to 30 minutes. The number of needles used and their placement is determined by your physiotherapist following a detailed assessment of your condition.
Acupuncture as Part of Physiotherapy
One of the key advantages of receiving acupuncture at a physiotherapy clinic is that it never sits in isolation. At Gosforth Physio, it is always delivered as part of a wider treatment plan, informed by an accurate diagnosis and combined with hands-on therapy and exercise rehabilitation where appropriate. This integrated approach consistently produces better and more lasting outcomes than acupuncture alone.
Book Acupuncture in Newcastle
If you are dealing with pain that hasn't responded to other treatments, or simply want to explore what acupuncture can do for you, get in touch with our team today, or book your assessment online.
