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Acupuncture for Pain Management

According to the CDC, more than 51 million American adults suffer from chronic pain.  That’s 20% of the US adult population! The most common areas for pain are:

  • Back Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Sciatica/Hip pain
  • Knees
  • Headache
  • Gastrointestinal Pain
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Pain Management

Acupuncture is highly effective for acute and chronic pain.  I have successfully treated low back pain, sciatica, upper back pain, chronic neck pain, piriformis syndrome, elbow tendonitis, osteoarthritis, headache, peripheral neuropathy, trigger finger, sports injuries and post-operative pain. In addition to musculo-skeletal pain, acupuncture is effective for all kinds of GI pain: reflux, GURD, gastritis, diarrhea, constipation and nausea. It is also effective for chest pain such as angina and painful respiratory conditions such as chronic bronchitis.

Pain management is the primary reason most Americans first try acupuncture, as it has received the most media attention.  Acupuncture is an excellent adjunct to physical therapy and other pain management modalities.

Because life is stressful in NYC, pain conditions are more acute. Stress causes your muscles to tense or spasm, which increases pain. When you feel stressed, levels of the hormone cortisol rise. This can cause inflammation and increase pain over time.

Person with electroacupuncture on back for pain management

How Acupuncture Impacts Pain

Acupuncture is one of the most effective modalities for treating pain because it not only addresses the symptoms of pain, tightness, numbness and tingling but also supports the body’s natural healing abilities.  Through the release of certain neuropeptides in the central nervous system, it activates healing.  It increases circulation to the affected area and helps to flush out lactic acid and other metabolic waste products that cause inflammation, stiffness, and pain. Acupuncture addresses the underlying factors that lead to chronic pain, be it musculoskeletal pain or chronic headaches.  Most chronic pain conditions are multi-factorial in nature—many of the systems of the body are involved.  Acupuncture is a full-body treatment that addresses the underlying factors of disharmony.

Man lying on back with acupuncture needles in his back

Acupuncture Protocol Optimized

Acupuncture works best as a series of treatments.  It is a cumulative modality, where each treatment builds upon the prior one.  Progress is seen over time.  The goal is to get you to a pain-free existence or as close to pain-free given your age and lifestyle choices.  Acupuncture improves strength and increases the body’s range of motion.  It activates the muscles by stimulating one’s proprioceptive reflexes, the communication of nerve fibers with the muscles.  Improving this nerve-to-muscle communication leads to increased coordination and strength.

person's hand with acupuncture needles in it and rocks with needles by it

Acupuncture is More Than Just Needles

There is more to acupuncture than just needles.  The related modalities of cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, and electric stimulation are also employed with acupuncture to eradicate pain.