Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek out acupuncture — and one of the things it helps with most consistently. Whether it's chronic tension, acute injury, or pain that seems to have no clear cause, acupuncture works on multiple levels to help the body process and release it.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, pain happens when there’s a blockage in the flow of Qi (vital energy) and blood. That blockage might be caused by physical trauma, stress, cold, internal stagnation, or even emotional buildup. Acupuncture helps restore that flow, like opening up traffic in a gridlocked system, so the body can move, circulate, and heal itself more efficiently.

From a biomedical perspective, acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the nervous system, release endorphins, increase blood flow to affected areas, and reduce inflammation. When I use trigger point acupuncture, for example, I’m targeting areas of muscle tension or spasm directly — using the needle to reset the muscle, calm irritated nerves, and reduce pain at the source.

I often pair acupuncture with techniques like gua sha, cupping, or gentle manual work to release fascial tension, improve range of motion, and help the body feel more integrated.

Pain can feel like your body is working against you. Acupuncture helps it work for you again — restoring function, reducing discomfort, and helping you feel more at home in your body.