Acupuncture is an ancient, traditional treatment originating from China. From the perspective of Western medicine, acupuncture means the stimulation of nerve endings in certain acupuncture points with an acupuncture needle. This stimulation triggers the body’s own pain relief and healing process, for example. It has also been observed to improve local and general blood circulation, increase the amount of endorphins and oxytocin in the body, and activate the body’s immune system, among other effects. The needles used are thin needles designed for acupuncture, which are placed into specific points of the body.
The most common cause for acupuncture treatments in Finland is long-term pain, such as neck and shoulder pain.
Other common causes include:
- Osteoarthritis pain in the knee
- Pack pain, sciatica pain
- Tension headaches
- Migraine prevention treatment
- Shoulder pain
- Osteoarthritis pain in the hip
- Tennis elbow pain
- Tendonitis
Acupuncture is usually administered in sets of 5–10 appointments, for example. One treatment appointment lasts 45–60 minutes, depending on the area treated. Usually, the first appointment lasts at least 60 minutes, allowing the physiotherapist to carry out an initial assessment and draw up a treatment plan based on it. In our company, acupuncture treatment is provided by a physiotherapist who is familiar with different forms of treatment and who will assess how acupuncture could best be applied in your situation. The effects of acupuncture have also been studied, and the Finnish Current Care Guidelines, for example, recommend acupuncture as a treatment that alleviates pain and improves functional abilities in cases such as osteoarthritis of the knee and hips.
