An alternative healthcare treatment option derived from traditional Chinese medicine. Fine needles are inserted at certain sites in the body for therapeutic or preventative purposes and to allow respite from chronic pain.
Acupuncture is a Chinese system of medicine dating back thousands of years. Chinese medicine attributes illness to an imbalance in the body’s energy known as Qi.
Qi is the underlying principle of Chinese traditional medicine, explaining the process of storing and using energy which runs through the body. Acupuncture promotes the free flow of this Qi to treat musculoskeletal conditions (of the bones and muscles) and pain conditions.
Conditions this treatment are effective for include:
First4Therapy, run by Vinita Sood, are a member of the AACP – the largest professional body for acupuncture in the UK with a membership of around 6000 chartered physiotherapists, practising medical acupuncture. They form the Association for the practice of Western Medical Acupuncture in Physiotherapy.
We are committed to ensuring the best practices for our clients and helping them achieve the best outcomes from all of our treatments.
No. Acupuncture needles are extremely thin and solid, unlike injection needles which are hollow (since they are used to deliver medicine). You may feel a mild pinprick when they are inserted and a slight tingling or heaviness afterwards, this is a common and desired sign.
In addition, when you first see your physiotherapist, they take your full medical history and ask you about your current health problems to ensure the treatment will not conflict with existing conditions.
Acupuncture is a very safe procedure when carried out by fully qualified professionals. Your AACP physiotherapist is qualified to deliver this therapy and has undergone a recognised accredited training course in acupuncture.
The needles used by your physiotherapist are sterile and disposed of after one use.
Generally, children under 18 are not given acupuncture and pregnant women have to be treated with caution. People with epilepsy and bleeding disorders are also not treated with acupuncture. You will be asked questions about your general health and medication to confirm suitability to have acupuncture.
Feeling dizzy or faint after a session of acupuncture is fairly common, and it can occasionally cause bleeding and bruising. If you’re pregnant it’s important to discuss acupuncture with your therapist as certain acupuncture points should be avoided during pregnancy.
Yes. It does not interfere with drug therapy. In fact, a combination of medication, physiotherapy, electrotherapy and acupuncture can be used to speed up recovery time and reduce pain effectively.
First4Therapy are a Chartered Physiotherapy and Acupuncture Clinic based in Laindon. We also treat patients from the surrounding areas including Basildon, Horndon, Billericay, Brentwood and Stanford-le- hope.
We provide physiotherapy and acupuncture for a wide range of conditions. Our chartered and state registered physiotherapists will provide a comprehensive assessment and treatment that is tailored to resolve your particular problem.
First4Therapy are a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy; Health Professions Council; Manipulation Association of Chartered Physiotherapists; Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists; British Association of Hand Therapists.
Registered Physiotherapy provider for BUPA, AXA PPP, WPA, Exeter Friendly, Aviva, Cigna and Vitality Health.
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