Having acupuncture

Acupuncture has been used to treat many medical conditions, and it can be particularly useful for the treatment of pain. Scientific processes have been proposed to explain how acupuncture works. Treatment of acupuncture points is thought to stimulate the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to release chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. This stimulation may increase the production of the body’s own natural pain killing chemicals, influence the natural healing abilities of the body and promote physical and emotional well-being. 

The treatment consists of inserting needles to stimulate nerves in skin and muscle. No drugs are injected through the needles. Needles may be placed in tender areas of muscle or areas well away from the site of pain. Sometimes the needles may be further stimulated by hand or by a mild electrical current.   

As a treatment it can be used to relieve a wide range of painful conditions.

Acupuncture is generally regarded as a safe treatment, with few side effects. Some people will get good pain relief. Unfortunately, not all patients will respond and we can never guarantee the results.

The Pain Management Centre has a range of different treatments including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), various forms of injection therapy, psychological approaches, physiotherapy, and different medications. Not all of these treatments may be suitable for you. The clinician looking after you will be happy to discuss other treatment options. 

It is often helpful to wear loose fitting clothing. You may be asked to change into a gown for your treatment or just to expose the painful area. 

You may wish to have someone with you to accompany you home following your first treatment, as you may feel sleepy. It is important if you are drowsy not to drive yourself home.

At your first appointment you will meet with the health care professional that is providing your treatment.  This could be a doctor or a nurse. The procedure will be explained, and you will be asked if you would like to have the treatment. 

The health care professional assessing you for the acupuncture will ask about your pain and ask questions about your general health. They will need to know if you are taking: 

• medication which thins the blood (e.g., aspirin or warfarin) 
• if you have a pacemaker or other implant 
• if there is any possibility that you may be pregnant 
• if there has been any change in your general health. 

The health care professional treating you will examine you to identify tender areas. The needles will usually be inserted around the area you feel the pain, although they can be placed in areas away from your pain like the hands and feet. The needles are usually left in for a period of time, ranging from a few seconds up to 20 minutes. You need to allow yourself between half an hour to one hour for your total treatment time. 

Many people are worried about this. The needles are very fine, and most patients are surprised at how little they feel them. You may feel some slight discomfort, but acupuncture is rarely very painful. Once the needle is in place you may feel a warm, heavy sensation around the needle – this is usually quite pleasant. 

In general acupuncture is not associated with a lot of side effects or complications. If they occur, the common side effects will only last for a period of a few hours up to a couple of days. Feelings of fatigue, nausea and headache are associated with the body’s response to the acupuncture and are not permanent.  

Common:

• temporary drowsiness often described as a pleasant feeling of fatigue 
• temporary increase in pain 
• minor bleeding or bruising 
• nausea and headache. 

Rare: 

• fainting can occur in certain patients particularly at the first treatment 
• broken needle. 

Very Rare: 

• infection (risk is greatly reduced because only sterile disposable needles are used)  
• puncture of the lung (this can only occur if needles are inserted over the chest. The needle will be inserted at an angle to greatly reduce the risk. The puncture usually recovers by itself but sometimes will require a chest drain to remove the air).

Following the treatment, you may wish to rest for a short period if you feel sleepy, otherwise you will be ready to go home.  

You may not notice an improvement in your pain straight after the acupuncture. It may take two or three treatments before you notice any change. Treatments are normally given at weekly intervals.  

Most people need a course of treatments to gain the most benefit.

Acupuncture can sometimes increase your pain for a short period following treatment. This will usually settle after a couple of days and then your pain may improve. You can resume all normal activity following your treatment. 

Acupuncture is very unlikely to cause serious complications. If you feel very unwell following your treatment you can contact the Pain Management Centre during working hours (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday) and one of the staff should be able to help you. Outside of these hours, please contact your own doctor or the local hospital emergency department.

If you would like to know more about acupuncture you can talk to staff at the Pain Management Centre. You can also contact: 

The British Medical Acupuncture Society House 

3 Winnington Court 

Northwich 

Cheshire CW8 1AQ 

Telephone: 01606 786782 

Email: admin@thebmas.com 

Website: www.medical-acupuncture.co.uk

Pain Management Centre

National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery at Cleveland Street 

25 Cleveland Street 

London

W1T 4AJ 

Reception: 020 3448 4776 

Email: UCLH.pain.query@nhs.net 

New patient enquiries: 020 3448 4777 

Switchboard: 0845 155 5000 / 020 3456 7890  

Website: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/pcm 

This leaflet has been developed by the Pain Management Centre with input from patients. We have not received any sponsorship or funding from any third party.