Medical Acupuncture / Dry Needling Treatment for Central & East London
Experienced Care Since 2001
Medical Acupuncture / Dry Needling Treatment for Central & East London
Experienced Care Since 2001
Struggling with chronic pain or stubborn muscle tension? At Osteopathy London, our registered osteopaths use Medical Acupuncture (Dry Needling) as a powerful, evidence-based tool. We integrate this gentle technique with our hands-on osteopathic care to target the source of your discomfort, ease muscle tension, and help your body find lasting relief.
Why Chose Our London Clinic For Medical Acupuncture?
Trained Practitioners: All of our osteopaths are registered and trained to use Medical Acupuncture as an effective complementary therapy.
Integrated Approach: We use a targeted, musculoskeletal approach that combines dry needling with our hands-on osteopathic care.
Patient-Led: We always prioritise your comfort and listen to your concerns, and we will switch to alternative osteopathic techniques if needed.
What Is Medical Acupuncture? How Does Medical Acupuncture Differ From Traditional Chinese Acupuncture?
Medical Acupuncture, sometimes known as Dry Needling or Western Medical Acupuncture, is a modern adaptation of traditional Chinese acupuncture.
Whilst traditional Chinese acupuncture is rooted in the concept of Qi and meridians, our approach is firmly based on current anatomical, physiological and pathological understanding.
We utilise evidence-based pain relief principles by precisely inserting very fine needles into specific points, primarily muscles, and fascia, to stimulate therapeutic changes. This dry needling technique helps to release natural pain-relieving chemicals and promote healing, offering a targeted musculoskeletal approach that complements our osteopathic treatments.
How does Medical Acupuncture work?
The application of fine, sterile, single use needles is thought to act therapeutically to ease pain and dysfunction in a number of ways, of which these are considered significant:
- Releasing natural endorphins and oxytocin, which relieve pain and stress.
- Increasing blood flow in the area around the needles, promoting a positive healing response.
- Reducing acute or chronic muscular guarding, allowing for greater mobility and easing discomfort associated with tense muscles.
What Conditions Does Medical Acupuncture Help Us To Treat?
We use Medical Acupuncture in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions (involving the bones, muscles, joints and connective tissue), such as:
- lower back pain
- tension headaches
- jaw pain
- arthritic pain and stiffness
- and many others.
Medical Acupuncture / Dry Needling is a valuable tool in our chronic pain management strategies, by promoting the reduction of inflammation, and the body's natural healing processes.
Frequently asked questions:
Will Medical Acupuncture hurt, and are there side effects to consider?
Some patients experience little or no discomfort when the fine, sterile needles are gentle inserted. Others may feel a minor sting when the needle is first inserted. Once the needle is in, you may feel heaviness, tingling, warmth, or a dull ache around the acupuncture point, indicating the treatment's effectiveness. Some patients feel nothing throughout, and find the treatment so relaxing they may fall asleep.
The patient's expectations, concerns about needles, and general stress levels can impact their experience, so practitioners will gauge these factors before proceeding. If the patient's experience is negative, we would remove the needles and use appropriate osteopathic techniques instead.
After treatment, medical acupuncture side effects are typically mild, and normally dissipate within a day.
In rare cases, a small bruise may appear where a needle was applied, but this usually goes unnoticed and disappears within a few days.
Our priority is to provide safe acupuncture treatment to help with pain relief.
How many Medical Acupuncture sessions are typically needed for pain relief?
At Osteopathy London we typically combine Medical Acupuncture with effective osteopathic techniques.
The number of sessions required for long-term pain relief from your condition varies from person to person. Factors such as the chronicity and severity of your condition, your overall health, and how your body responds to treatment all play a role.
For acute issues, some patients experience significant improvement from one or two sessions alone. However, for more complex or chronic condition support, a longer series of treatments, may be required to achieve more optimal results.
During your initial consultation at our London clinic, we'll discuss a tailored treatment plan and provide you with a clearer idea of what to expect.
Is Medical Acupuncture right for me?
Medical acupuncture is appropriate for most patients that attend our London clinic.
As a complementary therapy it fits well within our integrated care approach, and can offer a non-pharmacological pain relief option for many.
We always conduct a thorough assessment during your initial consultation to ensure it is the most appropriate and beneficial treatment modality for your specific needs. If it is not, then other techniques can be used to bring you relief.
If you are unsure if it's appropriate for you, book a free 15 min phone consultation with John online below, or by phone.
Take the First Step to Pain Relief. Book Your Appointment.
Click below to book your visit online or by phone, or to arrange a chat with John.
Osteopathy London, 31 Roman Road, Bethnal Green, East London E2 0HU
© John Mallinder