Dry Needling Acupuncture

Acupuncture In Ampthill & Flitwick

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years across the world and modern research continues to show its effectiveness for a number of problems. There are problems that massage alone won’t cure, and this is where acupuncture steps in. At our acupuncture clinic in Bedford Town Centre, just a short drive from Ampthill and Flitwick, we specialise in dry needling, a modern adaptation of traditional Chinese acupuncture.

Where to find us

Our clinic is located on Tavistock Street in Bedford Town Centre. There’s plenty of nearby parking outside our clinic, and Queen Street Multi-Storey car park is less than 50 metres away. Parking on Tavistock Street and the surrounding streets is only free in the evening, but Queen Street Multi-Storey car park offers two hours of free parking every day.
Bedford Bus Station is just a short 5-minute walk away from the clinic.

Frequently asked questions

What does Acupuncture do?
Acupuncture helps problematic muscles reconnect with the brain and stimulates your body’s natural pain-killing chemicals (endorphins). Acupuncture is particularly effective in treating relentless muscular problems and can be quite relaxing.

What kind of needles are used during acupuncture?
The needles we use are extremely fine and are inserted for a few seconds to several minutes depending on the symptoms of your condition.

Does acupuncture hurt?
The sensation of acupuncture varies from person to person – some people feel a warm ache, while others feel nothing at all. Acupuncture on the extremities like fingers and toes can sometimes be a little sharp, but the sensation is usually brief.

How is Dry Needling Acupuncture different from the traditional Chinese method?
At our acupuncture clinic in Bedford, we practice a form of acupuncture called Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling (Dry Needling for short!) This is different from the traditional Chinese method. The ancient beliefs of ‘yin’, ‘yang’, and the energy ‘qi’ are substituted for a combined knowledge of physiology and pathology, anatomy, and the common principles of evidence-based medicine.

What is Dry Needling Acupuncture?
Dry needling acupuncture is a treatment involving a needle being inserted into a trigger point of a muscle. A trigger point is an area of tightness in a muscle that is tender when pressure is put on it. They can be a source of pain and can commonly refer pain to different areas, each muscle has its own referral pattern. A muscle in the shoulder might often cause referral of pain into the hand or arm.

What conditions can Dry Needling Acupuncture treat?
Many conditions can benefit from dry needling. These include knee pain, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, muscle spasms, and repetitive strain injuries.

Is there any scientific proof that acupuncture works?
Yes, plenty, but it’s worth noting that the scientific community is still undecided on many claims due to the difficulty of studying them. If you have a specific condition it may be advisable to research its effectiveness in treating your particular condition or giving us a call first to discuss your needs.

What does acupuncture do?
There are too many benefits to list, but one of the most interesting things that acupuncture does is to help reduce the amount of pain you feel. It does this by acting on the pain control centres of the brain. It also helps stimulate blood circulation to the area being treated, which is a really useful aspect when dealing with muscular injuries.

What if I’m scared of needles?
It’s worth noting that an acupuncture needle is nothing like a hypodermic needle used for injections. They are much, much smaller. Ten or more needles would fit inside a standard hypodermic needle.

Is it safe?
If done correctly, yes. All our acupuncture therapists providing this service are qualified and insured to do so.

How big are acupuncture needles?
The needles we use are between 25-75mm in length and between 0.22-0.33mm thick. By comparison, a human hair is about 0.1mm thick.