Medical acupuncture is the practice of acupuncture by trained healthcare clinicians, using fine sterile needles at specific points to relieve pain and improve function. While the technique has ancient roots, medical acupuncture interprets its effects through modern science: needling stimulates nerve fibres and the body’s own pain-modulating systems, releasing endorphins, changing blood flow, and damping down over-sensitised pain pathways.
Acupuncture is one of the most thoroughly researched non-drug treatments for chronic pain. At ACTYMED it is used selectively — most often for persistent back and neck pain, osteoarthritis-related pain and chronic tension headaches — always alongside movement-based rehabilitation, never as a substitute for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does acupuncture actually work, or is it placebo?
This has been studied in enormous detail. The largest individual-patient-data meta-analysis, covering more than 20,000 patients across 39 high-quality trials (Vickers et al., Journal of Pain, 2018), found acupuncture is significantly better than both no-acupuncture care and sham needling for chronic back and neck pain, osteoarthritis and headache — meaning its effects are not fully explained by placebo.
What does a session feel like?
The needles are hair-thin. You may feel a brief prick, then often a dull, heavy or tingling sensation around the point — traditionally called “de qi”. Most people find sessions relaxing; some fall asleep on the table.
How many sessions are needed?
Chronic pain usually needs a course rather than a single visit — commonly six to eight sessions over several weeks, reviewed for response. Research shows benefits can persist for a year or more after a completed course.
Is it safe?
Acupuncture by trained clinicians has an excellent safety record. Minor effects like a small bruise, brief soreness or sleepiness are the most common. We use single-use sterile needles exclusively.
Who should not have acupuncture?
We take extra precautions or avoid it if you have a bleeding disorder or take strong blood thinners, have a pacemaker (for electroacupuncture), are pregnant (certain points are avoided), or have active infection at the needle sites.
Acupuncture or dry needling — which one do I need?
If your pain traces to specific muscle knots, dry needling is usually the first choice. If your pain is chronic, widespread, or hasn’t responded to muscle-focused treatment, medical acupuncture’s broader effect on the nervous system may suit better. Many ACTYMED patients receive both at different stages of care.
Can acupuncture help with anything besides pain?
The strongest evidence is for chronic musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis and headache/migraine prevention. Evidence for other uses varies — we will always be honest about where the science stands for your particular problem.
