How Does Acupuncture Treat Pain?

Acupuncture is so incredibly well known for treating pain. So much so, that when I tell people how it can treat other health issues, they find themselves surprised.

There is a reason acupuncture is so well known for treating pain. It is because it does a really good job of it.

What Is Acupuncture?

Before I go on a deep dive describing how acupuncture treats pain, I should explain what acupuncture is. Here goes!

Acupuncture is a super effective natural modality that uses our body’s own resources to encourage healing and wellness. It has been around for thousands of years. I believe this alone speaks to its effectiveness. The act of acupuncturing involves the insertion of very thin, sterile, single-use needles into specific areas of the body.

If you would like to read more about what acupuncture is and what it can treat, please read this blog.

How Acupuncture Treats Pain

Acupuncture is particularly effective, especially when it comes to treating pain. It is unique compared to other healing methods, because an acupuncturist can effectively treat pain anywhere in a client’s body, without putting any needles in, or near their sore spots. People are often very protective over painful areas in their body, and rightfully so! No one wants to get poked and prodded in areas that already hurt! This ability for acupuncture to treat pain without even touching the pain is a huge advantage in minimizing discomfort during treatment.

Although it seems like magic, there is a biological reasoning behind the way this style of acupuncture works. Our nervous system is essentially a hologram. The nerves innervating the muscles in in your arms, hand, feet, legs, back, neck, abdomen, head (everywhere!) all mirror and affect each other. I just need to choose the points that mirror the area where my client is experiencing pain.

Let’s say I have a client that comes in with chronic neck pain. When the pain is really bad after a long week of work, it leads to headaches at the base of her skull (the occiput). This is actually quite common. In the treatment room, I focus on subduing the headache by using points on her hands and feet. I also target the tight neck muscles using points on her arms. In this case, I am using points in her hands, feet, arms and legs, which mirror the muscles in her neck, upper back and head. When I use acupuncture to stimulate these areas, it instructs her brain to send her natural “built-in” painkillers to her neck and occiput, immediately relieving the pain.

Cupping + Massage For Pain

I often incorporate cupping and massage into treatments that are focused on relieving pain.

I find that applying gentle cupping, followed by a short massage on a client’s pain spot helps relieve their discomfort further than the needles alone. The cupping - massage combo really helps to relax and loosen up tight, tense muscles.

I will continue on with the example of the client with neck tension and headaches. After my client has relaxed with the needles in their arms and legs for about 30-35 minutes, I remove and safely dispose of the needles. Then ask my client to flip over, so she is facing downward on the table. I will then apply the cups on her upper back for a short time, then follow up with a little massage afterwards.

I find that my needling - cupping - massage combo is quite effective at relieving painful, tight, tense muscles.

If you are wondering what cupping is, read this blog.

How Many Treatments Does It Take?

The number of treatments it takes to minimize pain long term can vary considerably between clients.

With some, its one and done. While with others, it can take continued maintenance treatments to keep pain at bay. As a general rule, if the first treatment kept the pain away for a week or two, it will take less treatments to get control of the pain, than if the pain was only gone for a few hours after the treatment. We will know after a few treatments whether the acupuncture is working well for you.

The best way to know is to come in and try it out. Book in today, and let me help you feel pain free!

I Want To Hear From You!

Has acupuncture helped you overcome any aches or pains?