Acupuncture

Traditionally a Chinese treatment with over 4,000 years of history, acupuncture involves using fine needles to stimulate sensory nerves under the skin and in the muscles. This stimulates the body to produce natural substances such as pain-relieving endorphins and increases blood flow to the area, encouraging healing.

At MEPS, acupuncture is particularly useful for women with pelvic health problems, including a range of pelvic pain conditions and overactive bladder symptoms. There is also a growing body of evidence supporting acupuncture in chronic pain, and NICE (the National Institute for Clinical Excellence) recommends acupuncture in the management of chronic pain.

Acupuncture can offer pain relief, stress reduction (by helping regulate the nervous system and inducing relaxation), promotion of the body’s natural healing, increased blood flow to the treatment area, reduced muscle tightness and better quality sleep.

Electroacupuncture involves inserting acupuncture needles and attaching them to a device that delivers variable electrical impulses. Low-frequency electroacupuncture contributes to pain reduction by stimulating chemicals in the brain that aid analgesia, relaxation and sleep. It is often used at MEPS for chronic pelvic pain.

Yes. For overactive bladder symptoms we offer PTNS (Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation) through electroacupuncture. This can help with urinary urgency, frequency and incontinence, and is often used as part of a wider pelvic health treatment plan.

Acupuncture and electroacupuncture are only offered after a detailed initial pelvic health physiotherapy assessment, so we can be confident it is the right treatment for you. It is often combined with other physiotherapy treatments and sometimes used as a stand-alone treatment depending on your needs.