Acupuncture

Utilising the expertise of some of the UK's most renowned professional associations, such as the AACP, combined with our dedication to providing you with a trusted and reliable range, we've compiled the ultimate selection of acupuncture essentials.

This guide will hopefully help you to choose the best acupuncture needles and treatment essentials so you can start offering acupuncture to patients or clients.

What does Acupuncture do?

Acupuncture is a treatment used to improve a range of health issues, originally derived from ancient Chinese medicine, it is now commonly used in Western medicine. The theory behind it is that it stimulates the central nervous system in the human body.

Acupuncture works by helping your body to release certain chemicals and stimulate the natural healing process. Undergoing acupuncture treatment is believed to have both mental and physical health benefits such as improved emotional well being or reduced acute low back pain.

Dry needling is used to treat Sciatica and other painful conditions so it is used quite widely as a form of pain relief.

What are the Benefits of Acupuncture?

The main long-term benefits of Acupuncture are:

• Pain and stress relief
• Improved Immune System 
• Mental clarity and relief from tension headaches
• Pain management of Myofascial Pain Syndrome
• Especially good for Repetitive Stain Injuries 
• Helps to relieve menstrual cramps
• Helps to relieve chronic pain
• Improved blood flow
• Improved digestion
• Reduce symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis (seasonal allergies)

Why is acupuncture so painful?

This will depend on where the acupuncture needle is placed but having a needle inserted anywhere on your body is likely to cause a pain response. 

The thin needles are inserted in 'acupressure points' or 'trigger points' and some of these are in more sensitive parts of the body than others. 

The spine and lower traps are quite sensitive, and so are a few other parts of your body. It's also important to distinguish that there are body acupuncture points and 'ear acupoints'.

Body acupuncture points are in the tendon, muscle and other areas of soft connective tissue whereas ear acupoints are in the shallow part of the skin. 

Are there side effects associated with Acupuncture?

Some individuals may experience mild, short-term side effects from acupuncture, including:

• Pain or tenderness at the needle insertion points
• Minor bleeding or bruising at the insertion sites
• Drowsiness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness or faintness

Adverse effects such as a punctured lung or infection are exceptionally rare occurrences.

If you have a bleeding disorder like haemophilia or are taking medications such as anticoagulants, it's advisable to consult your GP or acupuncture practitioner and discuss your medical history prior to acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture may not be recommended if you have a metal allergy or an active infection in the area where needles are to be inserted.

While acupuncture is generally safe during pregnancy, it's important to inform your practitioner of your pregnancy as specific acupuncture points should be avoided during this time for safety reasons.

Acupuncture Needles

Classic Plus Needles

Classic is a popular brand of acupuncture needles which has been established as the standard acupuncture needle.

They are widely used in hospitals and clinics worldwide. The individual needles all have their own guide tube and colour-coded tab which help to make inserting the needles effortless and problem-free. 

They are traditional coiled and looped needles, have a copper handle and they're silicone-free. 

Seirin J Type Needles

Seirin Needles are ultra-thin, stainless steel wire needles that provide gentle, painless and stress-free treatments. Like the previous needle, these also have a guiding tube and colour-coded tab for easy insertion.

They have plastic handles though unlike the classic plus needles which have copper handles but the plastic handles are PVC free.

We supply these as a box of 100 needles.

Meridius MCT Series Acupuncture Needles

The Meridius needles are made with a copper handle that is ideal for traditional practitioners and the needle itself is made from high-quality surgical stainless steel, ideal for strong, professional needles.

Copper handles were the dominant style before plastic technology became widely used. For many traditional practitioners, copper-handled needles are still preferred. With a loop at the top as typical of Chinese needles, these are ideal for use with moxibustion as well as electro-acupuncture.

These stainless steel needles have a silicone coating ensuring a comfortable experience for the patient and greater ease with needle placement. Every needle is individually packaged and comes with a guide tube for even greater precision. EO gas sterilization keeps these needles safe to use for three years from production date; perfect for occasional users as well as regular practitioners.

Dong Bang DB100 Acupuncture Needles

The DongBang DB100 is one of the most popular stainless steel acupuncture needles thanks to its medical-grade material and expert reliability. Easy to position and incredibly strong, this is the perfect needle for many applications.

The DB100 is a Korean-made and Korean-style handled needle. Korean-style needles have spring handles without loops. This means that fine stainless steel wire is tightly wound to create the handle. This type and material can be used for electro-acupuncture and moxibustion therapies.

Each needle is individually packaged with a guide tube. This allows you to control the number of needles you use precisely rather than exposing extra needles to contamination. With a silicone-coated tip, guiding the needle into the perfect spot is simple.

Acupuncture Guides & Resources

An understanding of acupoints is vital not only for acupuncturists but also for bodyworkers.

Targeting these points, as you may already know, provides numerous benefits such as stimulating the central nervous system, pain relief and various other physical and mental benefits

This user-friendly manual contains current, in-depth information for both groups, with special emphasis on how shiatsu and tuina therapists can best utilise “point knowledge” in their practice. 

Treatment Room Furniture

• Physique Therapy Couch - extremely strong, lightweight and portable, this table is used by professionals at the highest levels.
• Physique Massage Couch - one of the lightest aluminium tables on the market, the weight is just 10kgs. Its unique sprung mattress design gives you and your patient the best possible feedback during treatment.
• Physique Therapy Chair - lightweight, portable and economical massage chair, weighing just 8.2kgs. Perfect for any time of spinal treatment, including acupuncture and massage.  

Treatment Room Essentials

• Couch Roll - hygienic paper towel roll made from 100% recycled material, available in 50m or 25m rolls.
• Bolster Cushions - perfect for supporting the body during treatment. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes. 
• Memory Foam Face Cushion - sculpts your patient's face providing ultimate comfort.
• Couch Covers - cotton-based stretch covers with breathing holes designed to enhance comfort.

Hygiene Essentials

We know how important it is to maintain a high standard of hygiene when dealing with patients. This is especially the case with acupuncture which needs medical-grade needles and high levels of cleanliness.

We’ve put together a great selection of versatile products from hand sanitiser to wipes and disinfectant spray that will help to keep your treatment area hygienic and worry-free.

View Hygiene Essentials

Sources and References 

1. Science Direct - Acupuncture Point