Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a therapeutic practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. People choose acupuncture for a variety of reasons, as it offers several potential benefits:

Helpful for:

Pain relief

Stress reduction

Mental health support

Improved digestion

Enhanced fertility

Immune system support

Sports performance and injury recovery

Allergy relief.

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Your first visit? What to expect.

During your first acupuncture session, here's what you can generally expect:

Intake and consultation: The acupuncturist will start by asking you questions about your medical history, current symptoms, and overall health. They will gather information to understand your specific needs and concerns.
Assessment: The acupuncturist may examine your tongue, check your pulse, and palpate certain areas to assess your energy flow and identify specific acupuncture points that require attention.
Treatment plan: Based on the consultation and assessment, the acupuncturist will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your condition. They will explain the approach, the number of sessions recommended, and the expected outcomes.
Needle insertion: You will be asked to lie down on a treatment table, and the acupuncturist will gently insert thin, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points on your body. The needles are typically painless or cause minimal discomfort.
Needle retention and relaxation: After the needles are inserted, you will be given time to relax and allow the treatment to take effect. The acupuncturist may adjust the needles or provide additional therapies such as heat, gentle stimulation, or herbal remedies, depending on your needs.
Duration: The length of a session can vary, but typically, the first session may last around 60-90 minutes, including the consultation and treatment.
Sensations and effects: During the session, you may experience sensations like warmth, tingling, or a mild dull ache around the needle insertion points. Many people find acupuncture relaxing and may feel a sense of calmness or increased energy afterward.
Follow-up and recommendations: The acupuncturist will discuss any self-care practices or lifestyle recommendations that can support your healing process. They may suggest dietary changes, exercise, herbal remedies, or additional sessions depending on your progress.

Remember, each person's experience may vary, and it's essential to communicate openly with your acupuncturist about any concerns or questions you may have.

Acupuncture can improve:

Pain relief: Acupuncture is commonly used to alleviate various types of pain, including chronic pain, headaches, back pain, and osteoarthritis. The needles stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural pain-relieving chemicals.
Stress reduction: Acupuncture helps promote relaxation and reduce stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. It can also improve sleep quality and enhance overall well-being.
Mental health support: Acupuncture may complement mental health treatments by reducing anxiety, depression, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can help regulate emotions and improve mental clarity.
Improved digestion: Acupuncture can aid in digestive disorders by regulating stomach acid secretion, reducing inflammation, and promoting proper gut motility. It may benefit conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, and constipation.
Enhanced fertility: Acupuncture is often used to support reproductive health and assist with fertility treatments. It can help regulate hormones, improve blood flow to the reproductive organs, and reduce stress that may affect fertility.
Immune system support: Acupuncture has been shown to strengthen the immune system and improve overall immune response. It can be beneficial for individuals prone to frequent infections or those seeking to boost their immune function.
Sports performance and injury recovery: Athletes often turn to acupuncture to enhance performance, accelerate recovery from injuries, and relieve muscle tension. It can aid in reducing inflammation, improving range of motion, and promoting tissue healing.
Allergy relief: Acupuncture has been suggested as a complementary therapy for allergies and hay fever. It may help alleviate symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes by modulating the immune response.

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What if I forget something?

Our team are always happy to speak to you to answer any further questions you may have. If you wish to schedule a telephone call please call our main reception line on 01279 456007 and they will arrange a call back for you, or email us, any time.
What is the cancellation policy?

We ask that you give 24 hours’ notice to cancel or change an appointment, otherwise it will be chargeable at the full rate.
Physiotherapy for Pain Relief.

We have worked with people that have used medication to manage pain, or tried other therapies without success. When used in conjunction with Chiropractic we find Physiotherapy to be especially beneficial in clients’ responses to treatment overall.
Wearing special clothes, or undress?

It is recommended to have access to the area that needs to be treated. Many people wear shorts, but whatever you feel comfortable wearing is fine. The Physiotherapist may use some oil to assist in massage so you will be offered a towel, or gown if preferred.
Is this different from a ‘normal’ massage?

Any strain or pain that is put onto the body is considered an injury. This may be from a repetitive movement such as picking up small children, sitting for extended periods of time or recreational sports. Think of Sports Massage as Remedial Massage.
What does it actually do?

We use the Sports Massage to make controlled micro fractures of the soft tissues around the area that we want to treat. There is accumulation of blood in any bruising which arises which will increase the concentration of blood to the area, and brings oxygen and all the nutrients needed for healing. Of course, the benefits of this should not be outweighed by too much discomfort along the way.
Do you charge extra for the first appointment?

No, there is no extra charge for your first appointment.
Do I need to bring anything with me?

It’s always helpful if you take anything that might be relevant to your health history, such as scans, X-rays or test results.
Will it be painful?

Each person’s pain threshold is different and the Sports Massage therapist will check with you throughout your treatment that the pressure applied is comfortable for you. A deep tissue Sports Massage is by its nature quite firm, and many people come in with existing pain, but you are in control of how deeply the therapist works.
Will I bruise?

Each person’s requirements are different and we can work as deeply or gently as you prefer. If stronger pressure is required due to deeper knots in the muscle tissue, then the pressure needed to successfully treat knots can result in the damage necessary to form a bruise. This is not a cause for concern, and may be beneficial to the healing process.
Does if relieve pain?

We have worked with people that have used medication to manage pain, or tried other therapies without success. Sports Massage can achieve excellent results, especially when used in conjunction with Chiropractic. MGM Clinics is one of the few Chiropractic clinics to give a Sports Massage pre-treatment, and we have found this to be hugely beneficial in clients’ responses to treatment overall.
What should I wear?

When you have a massage it is recommended to have access to the area that needs to be treated. Many people wear shorts, but whatever you feel comfortable wearing is fine. The massage therapist may use some oil to assist in the massage so you will be offered a towel, or gown if preferred.
How many treatments will I need?

This will vary according to individual needs. Some people come to treat an acute issue and others will use Sports Massage as part of their preventative health programme. It is also very efficient when used in combination with Chiropractic. We are happy to welcome you once, or multiple times!
What about 'Aftercare'?

We will advise you following your treatment to help you manage your condition at home and in turn speed up recovery. Client education is at the centre of what we do at MGM Clinics and it is our goal to make sure we have well informed clients!
How long will it take?

Your visit will last about 30 minutes. We understand many people live busy lives, and want to be helped to an efficient solution. We aim to treat you quickly and on time.
Can you help with ‘Tech Neck’?

The digital age is causing a lot of back/neck issues and regular treatment is becoming a necessity. We encourage anyone who uses a phone or a computer to come and see us every 3 months as a preventative measure.
My job involves sitting. Is that bad for me?

The body is designed to move. If you stop moving, your body will respond accordingly and a joint which is no longer being used will seize up when your body judges it is no longer needed. This is also why muscles waste so easily if you don’t exercise. Ask us about exercises you can do during your work day, or easy adaptations towards a standing desk!
What can I do to prevent lower back pain?

Maintaining an active lifestyle and good posture is key. There is also a strong correlation between issues with the hamstrings and lower back pain, and we will be happy to help educate you in this and other key areas. We highly recommend simple morning stretches, which are valuable and open up the Nervous System. We also run regular educational talks on the use of foam rollers- so ask us about signing up for one of these- they are free!