Pontypridd Osteopathic Clinic

                                Autumn Newsletter 2007

Tel/Fax: 01443 485302

e-mail: pontypriddosteopaths@tiscali.co.uk

Welcome to the Autumn edition of our newsletter. As the leaves begin to fall and become soggy underfoot, take care not to slip or you’ll need your osteopath sooner than you think!!

WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE/DRY NEEDLING?

It is a therapy that has been used in China for over 3,000 years, and more recently has taken off in the Western world since 1972.  Acupuncture/dry needling is a therapeutic method used to encourage the body to promote natural healing and improve function using stimulated/unstimulated needles inserted into carefully chosen points.

Traditional Chinese acupuncture and Western medical acupuncture differ in their approach to diagnosis and method of treatment.  Traditional Chinese acupuncture looks at the tongue and peripheral pulses, and select points according to traditional concepts eg treatment time of day, and the way the needles are stimulated by moxa (heat) or needle manipulation (rotation or lift and thrust).  Western medical acupuncture is based on orthodox medical diagnosis approach and points are based on traditional Chinese acupuncture points and/or neurophysical principles (ie based on nerve supply/associated muscles, tendons, bones etc)

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Again, this explanation differs between traditional Chinese acupuncture and Western medical acupuncture.  The traditional Chinese attitude is that the body is full off channels of Qi (energy) called meridians and insertion of needles help to unblock any obstructions in the flow of energy.  The scientific (Western) explanation is that the insertion of needles stimulates the nervous system to trigger chemical/hormone release to influence the body’s self-healing mechanism.

WHAT CONDITIONS CAN BE TREATED?

Acupuncture/dry needling is available at Pontypridd Osteopathic Clinic in combination with osteopathy from one of our osteopaths, Helen Medlicott.  Helen uses primarily osteopathic techniques complimented with acupuncture/dry needling, if appropriate, to treat a range of conditions including:

• Pain relief
• Osteoarthritis
• Joint dysfunctions (shoulder, elbow, hip, knee etc)
• Back pain
• Muscular tension/stress
• Trigger/tender point release
• Headaches
• Tennis elbow/golfers elbow
• Sciatica
• Piriformis syndrome
• Sinus problems

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?

As with osteopathy, a full case history is taken, examination performed, diagnosis given and treatment options discussed.  The number of treatments needed depends entirely on the condition and the individual: this too would be discussed.  Few side-effects of acupuncture are reported, although these depend on the individual.  As with osteopathy, symptoms can be temporarily aggravated after acupuncture treatment, although these should settle within 24-48 hours.  You may also notice mild changes in appetite, sleep, bowel and bladder function and emotional state.  A common symptom reported after treatment is a state of relaxation or mild disorientation.  It is therefore advised that, if at all possible, you consider arranging someone else to do the driving after your treatment, and that you relax for the day after receiving acupuncture.  Follow up advice will also be given at the end of the consultation.

DOES IT HURT?

Acupuncture/dry needling is generally painless; the single-use sterile needles are very fine and so not as painful as those used for injections and blood sampling.  Some patients report a “warm” feeling at the site of the needle, although again the feeling depends entirely on the individual.

Helen Medlicott is available for consultation on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The Dyscovery Centre

The Miracle of Aloe

The most common nickname for Aloe Vera around the world is `the burns plant’.  It richly deserves this sobriquet as it does indeed both soothe and heal burned skin.  Research carried out in the USA began as early as the 1930’s.  Using fresh Aloe Vera Gel, a certain Dr Collins showed that regular application to a post-radiotherapy burn reduced the burning and itching sensation and then went on to promote faster healing, importantly with minimal scar formation.

Animal experiments in the 1950’s and 1960’s reinforced this discovery and by the 1980’s Aloe was being used in several plastic surgery units across America.  These surgeons of course were only prepared to use Aloe in their units when they had fully understood how it actually worked.  It was these animal models that had revealed the mechanisms at work behind this improved healing.  The main reason turned out to be that Aloe Vera blocked the formation of a powerful substance liberated into traumatised skin called Thromboxane.  This substance constricts blood vessels and as a consequence reduces blood flow, so where there is less Thromboxane around, the blood enters the damaged tissue and thereby speeds up healing.

Japanese research in the late 1980’s also unravelled the cause of the natural anti-inflammatory effect of Aloe which, together with the increased blood flow, combines to speed up healing and reduce scarring.

In practice, the sooner Aloe is applied to the burnt area the better and if the individual can be persuaded to drink the gel as well, the newly-forming skin will be provided with all the essential micro-nutrients necessary to make healthy and robust cells.

Aloe Vera Gelly for burns

For thousands of years, people have used Aloe Vera to support the healing process in burns – from mild sunburn to more serious burns.  Aloe has been shown to help speed up the healing process of burns and stimulate healthy new skin growth.  It can also help soothe pain, swelling, infection and blisters.  Aloe Vera Gelly is the topical, soothing and cooling stabilised clear Aloe Vera Gel from the Forever range, which can easily be spread onto the affected area without touching or rubbing and is available in a tube at a cost of £10.59 or handy sample sachet for 20p. (Ask our receptionist for details). The Aloe gel drink retails at £18.