Acupuncture is one of the many skills utilised by Shepherds’ Physiotherapy, either on its own or 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 to improve recovery time. A sound research and evidence base exists for the use of acupuncture by Physiotherapists. Acupuncture achieves pain relief through 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’.
