David Canevaro : 07904 153486

davidcanevaro@hotmail.com

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Medical / Western Acupuncture

Evidence-Informed Acupuncture Integrated into Musculoskeletal Care

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At London Osteopathy & Pilates, acupuncture is delivered as medical (Western) acupuncture and is integrated into a diagnosis-led musculoskeletal treatment and rehabilitation framework. It is not used as a standalone therapy, nor is it applied without a clear clinical rationale.

Medical acupuncture is based on anatomy, neurophysiology and pain science, and may be used selectively to support pain modulation, reduce excessive muscle tone, and facilitate engagement with rehabilitation.

All acupuncture is provided by a UK-registered osteopath, following full assessment and within the scope of regulated osteopathic practice.

What Medical Acupuncture Is — and How It Differs

Medical acupuncture differs from traditional or alternative models in that:

  • point selection is based on anatomy and symptom presentation
  • treatment aims are defined (e.g. pain modulation, tone reduction)
  • acupuncture is combined with manual therapy and rehabilitation
  • progress is measured functionally, not subjectively alone

It is used to support movement restoration — not to replace rehabilitation.

When Acupuncture May Be Clinically Useful

Acupuncture may be considered when patients present with:

Persistent pain limiting movement

Where pain sensitivity prevents normal movement or exercise progression, acupuncture can help reduce pain enough to allow rehabilitation to begin or continue.

Protective muscle tone or spasm

In some cases, excessive tone limits joint movement or reinforces compensatory patterns. Acupuncture may help down-regulate this response.

Recurrent flare-ups

Where symptoms repeatedly flare despite appropriate loading, acupuncture may be used as part of a strategy to reduce irritability while capacity is rebuilt.

Difficulty engaging with exercise

Pain modulation can help patients tolerate early rehabilitation stages more confidently.

Assessment Before Acupuncture Is Used

Acupuncture is never the starting point.

Assessment includes:

  • detailed clinical history
  • symptom behaviour analysis
  • movement and load tolerance testing
  • joint and soft tissue examination
  • neurological screening where appropriate

Only after this process do we determine:

  • whether acupuncture is appropriate
  • what its role should be
  • how it fits into the wider plan

How Acupuncture Fits the Osteolates Method

Within the Osteolates Method, acupuncture may support:Even when cranial osteopathy is used, assessment remains the foundation.

  • reduction of pain to allow movement retraining
  • improved tolerance to rehabilitation exercises
  • transition from passive care to active self-management

It is not used indefinitely. As movement capacity improves, reliance on acupuncture naturally reduces.

What Acupuncture Is Commonly Combined With

Acupuncture is typically combined with:

  • osteopathic manual therapy
  • Clinical Pilates-based rehabilitation
  • gait or biomechanical correction
  • education on pacing and load management

This ensures improvements are maintained and transferable.

Conditions Where Acupuncture Is Commonly Used

  • back pain and sciatica
  • neck pain and headache patterns with musculoskeletal contribution
  • shoulder pain with protective tone
  • sports injuries and overuse conditions
  • chronic pain presentations where sensitivity limits progress

Clinics Offering Acupuncture

Medical acupuncture is available at:

  • Central London (Old Street / Liverpool Street)
  • Beckenham
  • Petts Wood Practice (Orpington)