MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE PATIENT INFORMATION
What sorts of conditions respond to acupuncture?
Painful conditions
- Acupuncture is effective in a wide range of painful conditions and is commonly used to treat musculoskeletal pain; eg back, shoulder, neck and leg pain.
- It has been successfully used to treat headaches, migraines, trapped nerves, chronic muscle strains and various kinds of rheumatic and arthritic pain.
Some other situations in which acupuncture might be used
- Functional bowel or bladder problems such as IBS or irritable bladder, and even mild forms of urinary incontinence.
- Allergies such as hayfever, perennial allergic rhinitis, and some types of allergic rashes such as urticaria or prickly heat.
- Some other skin problems such as discrete rashes and ulcers, pruritus (itching), and some forms of dermatitis.
- Sinus problems and chronic catarrh.
- Dry mouth and eyes.
- Stopping smoking.
- Menstrual and menopausal symptoms.
This is not a complete list and many other conditions have been treated with acupuncture.
What is involved in having acupuncture?
Every patient will have an initial assessment, followed by a course of treatment suitable for the condition.
Treatment is usually provided in six consecutive appointments but may be less if the condition responds quickly. However, if the practitioner feels that your condition can not be treated with acupuncture, you will be recommended to see your GP or appropriate specialist.
The BMAS does not claim that acupuncture can treat all conditions and it would be dangerous to do so.
The treatment itself involves fine needles being inserted through the skin and briefly left in position. Sometimes manual or low voltage electrical stimulation is applied to assist the process. The number of needles varies but may be only two or three. Who will give the acupuncture treatment?
All BMAS acupuncturists are regulated healthcare professionals, who have also undertaken additional training in Western medical acupuncture. Many of them are GPs although increasing numbers come from other healthcare professions.
BMAS members work within the scope of their primary profession, and are able to use their orthodox healthcare training to assess and safely treat conditions a variety of conditions that are suitable for acupuncture.
Health Care Providers and insurance schemes
Some private health care providers such as BUPA, PPP and WPA pay for treatment under their health care policies. They will usually only do this if the treatment is being provided by a BMAS member. If you are a member of a health care scheme, please telephone them for further information.
