Get the needle for a rapid recovery

RISING numbers of poorly patients are being treated in a Swansea hospital with an ancient medical practice to help aid their recovery.

Acupuncture is now being used trust-wide to help people, even those who have undergone major heart surgery.

The Trust says it may not be a replacement for more conventional medicine, but it can help deal with problems such as nausea, vomiting and headaches.

The treatment offers another option when traditional methods fail to have the desired effect.

Gemma Chesterfield, a senior physiotherapist at Morriston Hospital, who has offered the acupuncture service to patients, said: "I'm finding that acupuncture is being requested more and more.

"There are hundreds of pressure points around the body that are stimulated to help relieve things like stress and pain.

"Pain can be a depressing thing to cope with during recovery, particularly for patients who have had heart surgery, nausea and sickness. .

"Of course, traditional medications would be the first option, but acupuncture is an alternative intervention we can offer.

"We offer it to patients if we think they might benefit, while some patients have used acupuncture in the past and actually approach us to ask for the treatment."

Clydach-based patient Gillian Loveday, had tried medication but still suffered with sickness days later while she recovered at Morriston Hospital's cardiac high dependency unit.

She added: "I've had acupuncture before and it seemed to work for me, so I thought I'd give it a go again.

"If it works for you, use it.

"Some people are afraid of it, but I find it doesn't hurt.

"Fingers crossed it will help this time."

Gemma attended a course at Cardiff University and is now registered with the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP).

The specialist cardiothoracic physiotherapist added: "As well as cases such as Gillian's, we can also use the technique for long-term patients to relive anxiety and depression.

"It can also provide reassurance to patients who use acupuncture regularly anyway."