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A Complementary approach to modern healthcare needs

Friday, September 23, 2011
Not so long ago any mention of needles in connection with healthcare would probably have brought to mind images of syringes for medicine or vaccinations.

But with the rise in popularity of complementary therapies, a reference to needles today could just as easily mean acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine involving the insertion and manipulation of needles in the body to restore balance and energy and help healing.

According to the British Acupuncture Council: “Today, traditional acupuncture is practised all around the world and clinical trials are now confirming its efficacy. More and more people are able to benefit as traditional acupuncture becomes a recognised option within standard healthcare.”

A study compiled by the University of York has highlighted that an increasing number of patients are using acupuncture for supplemental pain relief due to its ability to stimulate the central nervous system. Those patients who received acupuncture reported lower pain levels and used fewer pain killers. *

Acupuncture is also playing a bigger part in the way people tackle mental health issues, including stress, depression and phobias. A recent article by Anxiety UK attributed the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating anxiety to helping to establish the causes, not just treating the symptoms themselves.

And as far back as May 2009, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) added acupuncture to its list of recommended treatments for back pain sufferers.

Westfield Health recognises the increasing popularity of complementary therapies as well as the importance of keeping health cash plan benefits relevant and appealing.

Westfield’s corporate-paid plans include a therapy treatments benefit which provides money back towards the cost of acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, homeopathy, osteopathy and physiotherapy.

Chiropractic treatment is claimed to be beneficial for people with neck, shoulder and lower back problems, with back pain one of the biggest causes of absence facing UK employers. **

According to the Which? Guide to complementary medicine, homeopathic remedies are thought to be good for hay fever, asthma, eczema, migraine and stress-related problems.

Osteopathy is used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal problems, while physiotherapy uses massage and manipulation to promote healing and wellbeing, often after an injury or in cases of post-operative treatment and rehabilitation. Post-operative recovery time is one of the top three drivers of absence among manual and non-manual workers, according to the CBI.

Westfield Health’s therapies benefit enables employees to claim back the cost of treatment provided by a qualified and registered practitioner who is a member of an approved professional organisation, up to set limits.


For more information about Westfield’s health cash plans, please visit www.westfieldhealth.com or call 0845 602 1629.