Complete your physiotherapy treatment package with acupuncture

As Recommended Suppliers of AACP, PhysioPod UK Ltd are delighted to announce details of their National Foundation Courses

Through an advanced knowledge of myofascial, or muscular, pain and the processes of inflammation and tissue healing, physiotherapists trained in acupuncture can safely and effectively employ a variety of needling techniques for the treatment of acute and chronic injuries. Acupuncture is able to safely reduce pain by stimulating the brain and central nervous system to produce natural pain-relieving chemicals such as endorphins, melatonin and serotonin, to name a few. The advantage of acupuncture with physiotherapy is that patients benefit from a holistic treatment of their injury, including the development of an appropriate exercise and stretching programme that takes in to account tissue trauma, muscle imbalance and normal movement patterns.

By managing a patient’s pain, acupuncture can enhance their ability to engage in physiotherapy treatments, therefore aiding recovery. The aim? To help patients become stronger, fitter and enjoy an injury-free active lifestyle, allowing them to conquer personal and physical goals.

The Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP) offers level 7 post graduate course in Western medical acupuncture for chartered physiotherapists. The course is designed to offer participants a level of knowledge, skill and understanding that will allow them to practice acupuncture in a safe and appropriate manner, in a clinical setting.

The course provides participants with a rationale for using acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment for the management of common musculoskeletal pain conditions. Topics covered include the laboratory and radiological research which is used to explain the mechanism of acupuncture analgesia; current evidence from acupuncture clinical trials research; and the non-specific "placebo" effects associated with acupuncture analgesia.

In addition to needling classical acupuncture points, participants will be introduced to the concept of myofascial trigger points, and the use of acupuncture needling for pain associated with myofascial trigger points. The AACP holds 50-60 Acupuncture Foundation Courses every year across the UK.

The AACP The Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP) is a professional network representing physiotherapists who are interested in integrating Western Evidence Based Acupuncture into mainstream Physiotherapy for the management of pain and systemic conditions. With around 6000 members, we represent physiotherapists applying acupuncture within clinical management in both the National Health Service (NHS) and private practice. The Association was founded over 30 years ago and has grown steadily to become the organisation that it is today, not only representing acupuncture physiotherapists, but also providing AACP Accredited Foundation Courses for those who want to train in acupuncture and CPD events for those who have already trained.

PhysioPod UK Limited and Physio Equipment are Recommended Suppliers of AACP