Musculoskeletal problems and chronic pain

An integrative approach to pain

Musculoskeletal pain can affect your quality of life a great deal, whether it comes from an injury, overuse, wear and tear or an unclear cause. A large analysis of individual patient data from randomised trials found that acupuncture worked better than both sham (placebo) acupuncture and no acupuncture for chronic back, neck and shoulder pain, osteoarthritis and chronic headache, and that the benefit mostly lasted over time. [1] Reece combines several acupuncture styles with his western medical knowledge of anatomy and physiology to treat both where it hurts and what's contributing elsewhere in the body.

Chronic pain is rarely only a local, mechanical problem. Inflammation, nutrition, stress and sleep all affect how you feel pain and how well your body recovers.

Concerns people often bring to Reece

• Ongoing back and neck pain. Acupuncture may help, and photobiomodulation may help with neck pain.
• Shoulder, hip and knee pain
• Recovery after sports and overuse injuries, alongside your physio
• Osteoarthritis aches. For knee osteoarthritis pain, acupuncture and photobiomodulation may help.
• Tension headaches and migraines. Acupuncture may help with tension headaches, and with having fewer migraines over time.
• Repetitive strain and overuse injuries. Photobiomodulation may help with tennis elbow and other tendon pain.
• Support with pain and stiffness as you recover after surgery, alongside your surgeon and physio

How Reece works with you

Acupuncture and needling techniques

Reece uses Tung, Tan, Neoclassical, Motor Point, Trigger Point and dry needling techniques, and chooses the one that suits your pain pattern.

Treatments without needles

Treatments without needles may include photobiomodulation (low-level (Class 3B) laser light applied to the skin, including at acupuncture points, without needles; protective eyewear is used), moxibustion and gua sha.

Looking for causes

Where pain is persistent or unexplained, Reece also looks at inflammatory markers, nutrition and metabolic factors, along with sleep, stress and activity.

Your first consultation

Your initial consultation is up to 180 minutes and includes a full physical examination and, where it's clinically appropriate, an acupuncture treatment. Reece then puts together a treatment and follow-up plan for your situation.