Acupuncture Treatment in Essex and East London

Medical Acupuncture and Trigger Point Dry Needling

At Spine Plus we provide specialist medical acupuncture therapy from our team of osteopaths and physiotherapists across our London and Essex clinics, focusing on myofascial pain and trigger points. One of the key strengths of our clinical team is that all our therapists are trained in acupuncture and acupressure, making these techniques available as an integrated part of any consultation.

What Are Trigger Points?

Trigger points are discrete, hyperirritatable spots within a taut band of skeletal muscle. When compressed, they produce local tenderness and, in many cases, referred pain to distant areas of the body. A very common location is the upper trapezius muscle at the top of the shoulder, which typically causes referred pain to the head and neck, contributing to tension headaches.

Trigger point dry needling is sometimes referred to as medical acupuncture. It is quite different from traditional Chinese acupuncture in that needle placement is guided entirely by Western anatomy and clinical assessment rather than meridian pathways.

How Trigger Point Dry Needling Works

Dry needling works by promoting blood flow and reducing spontaneous electrical activity within trigger points, and by stimulating the body to release growth factors that promote healing. When a needle enters a trigger point, it often produces a characteristic local twitch response, a brief involuntary contraction of the muscle, which is associated with a positive therapeutic outcome.

Conditions Treated

• Tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches
• Neck pain, stiffness and restricted range of motion
• Shoulder pain and rotator cuff problems
• Lower back pain and lumbar muscle spasm
• Myofascial pain syndrome
• Repetitive strain injuries (RSI)
• Rehabilitation from orthopaedic surgery
• Hip and gluteal pain
• Calf and Achilles problems

What to Expect

Acupuncture needles are extremely fine and most patients experience minimal discomfort on insertion. You may notice a brief aching or cramping sensation when a trigger point is engaged, followed by a release of tension. Sessions typically last 20 to 40 minutes. Acupuncture is usually combined with manual therapy and rehabilitation for optimal outcomes.

Safety

All acupuncture at Spine Plus is delivered by fully qualified osteopaths and physiotherapists with additional postgraduate training in medical acupuncture. Single-use sterile needles are always used. The treatment is adapted to your health history and clinical presentation. Serious side effects are very rare.