Pregnancy is a time of extraordinary physical and emotional change. It’s also a time when it’s more important than ever to support and care for your well-being. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can help you meet the unique challenges of pregnancy, ensuring optimal health for you and your baby in a safe and natural way, without the use of harmful medications.

What to expect

Acupuncture has been used in China for thousands of years to regulate the female reproductive system. Acupuncture and TCM are based on the concept that Qi (pronounced “chee”), or vital energy, flows through the body in channels called meridians. Practitioners of acupuncture and TCM work to balance the Qi in the body’s meridian and organ systems by manipulating corresponding points on the body.

For a healthy pregnancy, regular weekly and/or monthly treatments are recommended. However, your practitioner will tailor your treatment entirely to your needs and suggest treatment based on your unique symptoms and concerns.

Because some acupuncture points should not be used during pregnancy, it’s important to choose a practitioner experienced in prenatal acupuncture. It’s also important to discuss any treatments or herbal supplements with all of your prenatal health care providers.

Relief for common concerns

Regular balancing treatments throughout your pregnancy can enhance your health as well as your baby’s health, potentially preventing complications and positively influencing the development of your baby. Many mothers-to-be find themselves facing anxiety, fatigue, back pain, heartburn, nausea and other symptoms as a result of the many new demands being placed on their bodies. Acupuncture has been found to effectively relieve many of these symptoms.

Morning sickness responds particularly well to acupuncture, and your practitioner can even show you specific points that you can massage at home to help restore your appetite. Recent studies have also shown promising results in using acupuncture for depression during and after pregnancy.

Breech babies and other issues

Acupuncture can also help with more serious issues during pregnancy. Specific acupuncture points and techniques are very useful for turning “breech babies” (those positioned feet first). One study concluded that acupuncture is useful for babies that position themselves in a difficult presentation, and it is a relatively simple, effective and inexpensive method for breech birth presentation.1 Treatment involves moxibustion, or applying heat from the burning of the herb mugwort to a point on the little toes. The treatment causes no adverse side effects.

If your due date has passed, acupuncture can also be used to induce labor through gentler means than traditional Western labor-inducing treatments and medications. Acupuncture and acupressure can even be used to help control pain, calm the mind and reduce stress during delivery.

After baby has arrived

It’s important to recover properly after childbirth. Acupuncture can help you heal and regain your strength and vitality, rebalance your energy, boost your body’s defenses and help address concerns such as pain, fatigue, and postpartum depression.

References:
1 Acupuncture Conversion of Fetal Breech Presentation. D. Habek, et. al. Fetal Diagn Ther 2003;18:418-421
Non-Stress Test Changes During Acupuncture Plus Moxibustion on BL67 Point in Breech Presentation. I. Neri, PhD., et al. Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, Vol. 9, No. 3, 158-162 (2002)
Acupuncture during IVF improves pregnancy chances.Link
Research Articles on Acupuncture and Pregnancy.Link

Does Acupuncture Help with Pain?

Introduction

Most people experience significant pain at some point in their lives—whether from an injury, arthritis, nerve issues, muscle tension, or stress. Pain is your body’s warning signal, a way of saying something is irritated, overworked, or out of balance.

Many people are told to rely on medication or “wait and see,” but that often only dulls the symptoms. If you’re tired of hitting the “snooze button” on your pain and want a more natural, root-cause approach, you may be wondering:

Pain affects everything — sleep, focus, energy, and your ability to feel like yourself. You’re not imagining it.

Does acupuncture actually help with pain?
For many patients, the answer is yes. In this article, we’ll look at how acupuncture helps relieve pain, how it compares to other options, and what you can expect at Big Easy Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine in Metairie, LA.

What Is Pain and Why Does It Become Chronic?

Pain can show up in many ways:

• Sharp, stabbing or burning sensations
  
• Achy, dull, or deep pressure
  
• Pain with movement or at rest
  
• Pain that radiates into the arms, legs, or head
  
• Pain that interferes with sleep, work, or daily life

Short-term pain can be protective, but when pain hangs around for weeks or months, it often reflects:

• Ongoing muscle tension or joint irritation
  
• Nerve compression or inflammation
  
• Poor movement patterns and posture
  
• Stress keeping the nervous system “on edge”
  
• Prior injuries that never fully recovered

Over time, the body can get “stuck” in a pain pattern—even after the original injury has healed. That’s where acupuncture and a hands-on, assessment-based approach can help reset the system.

Why Medication and Surgery Aren’t Always Enough

When pain is intense, turning to medication is understandable. Pain pills may:

• Temporarily reduce discomfort
  
• Make it easier to get through the day or sleep at night

But medication:

• Doesn’t correct muscle tension, nerve irritation, or movement problems
  
• Can cause side effects or dependency with long-term use
  
• Often stops working as well over time

Surgery can sometimes be necessary, but it is:

• Expensive
  
• Invasive and not reversible
  
• Not guaranteed to eliminate pain

Many people are looking for a safer, more natural option that addresses the cause, not just the symptom.

How Acupuncture Helps with Pain Management (Modern View)

Modern research shows that acupuncture can help manage pain by:

• Releasing natural painkillers
  Stimulates endorphins and other neurotransmitters from your own body that reduce pain signals.
  
• Calming the nervous system
  Helps shift the body out of “fight or flight” so muscles and nerves can relax.
  
• Improving blood flow
  Increases circulation to tight or injured areas, bringing oxygen and nutrients for healing.
  
• Reducing inflammation
  Modulates inflammatory pathways that contribute to swelling and pain of local and surrounding areas.
  
• Resetting muscle and nerve patterns
  Especially when combined with electroacupuncture and targeted motor point work.

Many types of pain come from poor circulation or weak nerve signals to an area, which causes muscles to tighten over time. Nerves may also get stretched, pinched, or compressed, creating pain that travels along the nerve’s pathway. 

At Big Easy Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine, we use these principles with a strong orthopedic and sports medicine lens so treatments are both traditional, research, and anatomy based. 

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective on Pain

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pain often relates to a disruption or blockage of Qi (vital energy) and blood in the body’s meridians—pathways that supply tissues with nourishment and information.

When Qi and blood are not flowing well due to:

• Physical or emotional stress
  
• Poor diet or lifestyle
  
• Injury or overuse
  
• Long-term strain on joints and muscles or repetitive actions

…areas of the body can become tight, undernourished, and painful.

Acupuncture uses fine, sterile needles at specific points to:

• Open blocked pathways
  
• Restore circulation and balance
  
• Support the body’s natural ability to heal

Whether you think in terms of Qi or circulation and nerve signals, the goal is the same: restore healthy flow so pain can decrease and function can improve.

Conditions We Commonly Treat with Acupuncture for Pain

At our Metairie, LA clinic, we see patients for a wide range of pain conditions, including:

• Neck pain and shoulder tension
  
• Back pain and hip pain
  
• Sciatica and other nerve-related pain
  
• Knee pain and ankle or foot pain
  
• Headaches and migraines
  
• Muscle strains, sprains, and overuse injuries
  
• Postural pain from desk or tech work
  
• Chronic pain that hasn’t responded well to other care

Many patients come to us after trying medications, physical therapy, chiropractic, or even injections. Acupuncture can be a stand-alone approach or part of a broader plan.

Our Approach to Pain Management at Big Easy Acupuncture

At Big Easy Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine in Metairie, LA, we combine traditional acupuncture with a structured, assessment-based system.

Assessment & Treatment Planning

Your visit often includes:

• A detailed history of your pain (onset, pattern, triggers)
  
• Strength and mobility testing (every visit)
  
• Palpation and orthopedic-style assessment
  
• Discussion of lifestyle, work demands, and stress

This allows us to identify which muscles, joints, or nerve pathways are driving your symptoms.

Treatment Methods We May Use

Depending on your needs, your pain management plan may include:

• Acupuncture – to reduce pain, tension, and inflammation
  
• Electroacupuncture – to influence nerve pathways and muscle activation
  
• Cupping therapy – to relieve fascial and muscular tightness
  
• Manual release techniques – to free up restricted areas
  
• Herbal medicine – to support circulation, reduce inflammation, and boost energy
  
• Lifestyle and movement guidance – to help prevent flare-ups
  

Results-Based Treatment

I can’t directly feel your pain… but I can measure how your body is responding to it. Through orthopedic testing, I assess mobility, strength, tension, and pain with specific movements. When mobility and strength improve while tension decreases, its a strong sign that the body is coming out of protection mode – and in most cases, pain levels drop as a result which patients can normally confirm.

Our goal is not just “chasing the pain,” but understanding why it’s there and how to help your body move differently going forward.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

The number of treatments depends on:

• Length of your issue
• Condition being treated
• Acute or chronic condition
• Individual response to treatment
• Treatment goals
• Individual’s health, sleep, and stress levels

In general:

• Acute conditions: If you’re dealing with recent injuries or sudden issues within the last few months, you may notice significant improvement after just a few sessions. Typically acute conditions require only 1-5 treatments compared to long term issues.  
• Chronic conditions: Chronic issues such as arthritis, chronic pain, or long term systemic conditions, usually require more sessions. A typical plan involves 2 visits per week initially for the first 2-3 weeks and treatments will spread out with progress. More sessions over several weeks will be needed to work with chronic conditions compared to acute conditions and sometimes followed with maintenance. 
• Maintenance: many patients choose occasional follow-up visits to keep pain from returning and to support active lifestyles.

We’ll regularly reassess your progress and adjust your treatment plan as you improve.

Is Acupuncture Safe for Pain Management?

Acupuncture is considered very safe when performed by a licensed practitioner. At our clinic:

• We use single-use, sterile needles
  
• Treatments are adjusted for age, sensitivity level, and medical history
  
• Most patients find sessions relaxing and often notice other benefits like better sleep and reduced stress

It can also be used alongside medications, physical therapy, massage, or other medical care. We’re happy to coordinate with your other providers where appropriate.

Conclusion: A Natural Path Forward for Pain

If you’re living with pain—whether it’s recent or has been with you for years—you don’t have to settle for “just getting by” on medications or pushing through.

Acupuncture offers a natural, evidence-informed, hands-on approach to pain management that:

• Reduces pain
  
• Improves mobility and strength
  
• Supports the nervous system
  
• Helps your body heal, not just cope

At Big Easy Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine in Metairie, LA, our mission is to help Louisiana with their pain, mobility, strength, and overall health. Ready to explore a different approach to pain management?
👉 Schedule your session here: https://bigeasyacu.janeapp.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of pain can acupuncture help with?

We commonly treat neck and back pain, joint pain, sciatica, headaches, muscle tension, post-injury pain, and chronic pain that hasn’t fully responded to other care.

How soon will I feel relieved?

Some people notice changes within the first few sessions, especially in muscle tension and sleep. Long-term pain relief usually builds over several weeks of consistent treatment.

Is acupuncture safe?

Yes. When performed by a licensed practitioner, acupuncture is very safe. We use single-use sterile needles and adjust each treatment based on your health, age, and comfort level.

Do you accept new patients in Metairie, LA?

Yes. Big Easy Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine welcomes new patients in Metairie and the greater New Orleans area. Appointments are required, and we’ll create a personalized plan based on your goals.

NECK PAIN RELIEF IN METAIRIE – BIG EASY ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBAL MEDICINE

Does acupuncture help with neck pain?

Yes, acupuncture can relieve neck pain by releasing tight muscles, reducing inflammation, and restoring mobility

DON’T LET NECK PAIN HOLD YOU BACK

Does your neck feel stiff, sore, or hard to move?

Do you get headaches from neck tension or long hours at a desk?

Many people deal with this every day from posture, stress, or old injuries.

Neck pain makes simple things harder — turning your head, sleeping well, or even enjoying time with family.

Neck pain doesn’t just cause discomfort. It can trigger tension headaches, limit mobility, disturb sleep, disturb work, and drain your energy. The good news? Acupuncture offers safe, natural, and drug-free relief that addresses the root cause of your discomfort.

WHAT CAUSES NECK PAIN?

Neck pain is one of the most common reasons our Louisiana residents seek out acupuncture treatment. Neck pain can be caused by a wide range of factors, including wear-and-tear, strains or sprains, or inflammation. A few common culprits include:

Everyday Strain, Occupational, Lifestyle strain:

• Long hours at a desk, on the road, carrying heavy weight, overuse or doing repetitive tasks

Poor Posture / Seated Lifestyle:

• Text neck, tech neck, long computer hours, long drives, awkward sleep positions

Injuries, Accidents, Trauma:

• Whiplash, sports injuries, or accidents

Nerve Entrapments / Irritation:

• Nerves being elongated, shortened, or compressed to cause pain along a line of action

Medical Conditions / Aging:

• Arthritis, herniated discs, disc height changes, and some age related wear and tear

Growths / Scars:

• Masses, tumors, cysts, scars, and bone spurs. These can put pressure on nerves and cause a line of action of pain/inhibition along that nerve pathway

Lifestyle Factors: 

• Smoking (slows healing), stress (tightens muscles), seasonal cold/damp weather can all trigger pain, or feeling tight muscles when sick.

HOW PEOPLE EXPERIENCE NECK PAIN

What Might People Feel?

• Physically – Pain can be experienced widely from a dull ache to a sharp, stabbing pain. You may also experience reduced mobility, headaches, stiffness, or pain/weakness radiating to your arms if nerves in the neck are compressed
• Mentally – Decreased quality of life, depression, or anxiety due to long term effect on lifestyle
• Time Frame – Some cases resolve with rest and lifestyle changes; others become persistent or recurring, lasting months or years.

HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK FOR NECK PAIN?

Acupuncture is effective because it targets both the muscles and nerve pathways involved in pain.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is well known to provide a natural, anatomy based, researched, and safe approach to treating neck pain.

Thin sterile needles are inserted at specific points either locally or along distant areas of the body that connect to the same pathways to manipulate the body, reduce pain, and calm the nervous system. Pain can come from nerves being elongated, shortened, or compressed. Nerve compression and muscular tensions lead to areas of the body not being able to fire actions like a misfire in a car or perform as intended because the area could be shut off.

Western Medical Perspective:

• Triggers release of endorphins (your body’s natural pain relievers)
• Relaxation of tight muscles and reduces spasms
• Improves blood flow and circulation for faster healing
• Reduces inflammation and swelling
• Restore strength and mobility by promotion of nerve signaling and action
• Calms the nervous system, helping the body “reset” from chronic tension

Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective:

• Clears energy (Qi) blockages that create pain and stiffness along meridians
• Restores balance and circulation of Qi, blood, and body fluids
• Calms the mind to hold less tensions in the body

The Result: Less neck pain, fewer headaches, better sleep, improved posture, improved mobility and strength, and improved quality of life.

RESEARCH ON ACUPUNCTURE FOR NECK PAIN

Modern research supports what patients have experienced for centuries: acupuncture helps relieve neck pain and improve mobility.

• A study published in the British Medical Journal found acupuncture to be a safe and effective treatment for chronic neck pain, improving both movement and comfort.
• Research from the National Institutes of Health showed that acupuncture not only reduces pain intensity but also improves daily quality of life, with results that last beyond treatment.

Research Spotlight: A well-designed randomized controlled trial published in the journal Pain followed patients with chronic neck and shoulder pain after acupuncture treatment. The study found that acupuncture not only reduced pain more effectively than placebo points but that the improvements were still present three years later. This long-term benefit is especially important for people with ongoing neck tension from stress, posture, and computer work—exactly the issues we see daily in our clinic.

These findings confirm what we see every day in our clinic: acupuncture provides safe, natural, and long-lasting relief for people living with neck pain.

TYPES OF TECHNIQUES USED FOR NECK PAIN

Traditional Acupuncture

• Insertion of thin needles along body meridians. Points along the Gallbladder, Bladder, Small Intestine Channels, and Hua Tuo Jia Ji points of the central spine are most often used.

Sports Medicine Acupuncture

• Insertion of thin needles to manipulate motor points of specific muscles to decompress nerves, relax muscles, restore strength and mobility

Electrostimulation

• Electroacupuncture attaches clips to the needles with a gentle pulsating electric current between them. Electrostimulation can provide deeper stimulation for a period of time without the need to manually stimulate each needle

Cupping

• Cups are placed onto the skin to create suction. This increases blood flow to surface level tissues and loosens muscles/tendons

IMAGING AND RED FLAGS

X-Rays, MRI, CT Scans, and other imaging may be recommended if:

• Pain following a major injury, accident, or fall
• Weakness, numbness, tingling spreads to arms or legs
• Pain is severe, persistent, or gets worse even with care
• Coordination issues or balance issues, sudden loss of bladder/bowel control
• Unexplained weight loss or major fluctuations in body temperature
• Imaging can be used to determine structural changes as we age and also after some injuries causing high levels of pain. A few examples that could be found: fractures, cysts, disc issues, and nerve entrapments

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST ACUPUNCTURE VISIT

When you visit Big Easy Acupuncture in Metairie, we start by discussing the reason for your visit, history of complaint, and checking your mobility and muscle strength. Then we create a plan just for you.

Initial Consultation and Assessment

• Discussion of condition, history of condition, detailed medical history, and orthopedic mobility and strength assessment

Treatment Process

• Acupuncture needling targeting pathways of pain and muscles according to findings 
• A relaxing session with needles retained for about 20 minutes — many people even nap during treatment

What Do People Feel

• Reduction in pain levels, increased range of motion, relaxation of tight muscles, sense of relaxation or euphoria, Possible temporary soreness near needle sites.

Complementary Care

• Treatments may also include cupping, electro-acupuncture, or manual therapy to enhance results

Herbal Medicine  

• Custom herbal blends targeted to your specific condition. Works well between visits of acupuncture to keep treatment going

Lifestyle Recommendations and Exercises

• Support with recommended stretches, posture tips, and stress management techniques

Big Easy Acupuncture treatments utilize a combination of Sports Medicine Acupuncture along with Traditional Chinese Medicine to bring you the best of both this ancient healing system along with modern treatment methods.

BENEFITS OUR PATIENTS NOTICE

• Relief from neck pain and stiffness
• Fewer headaches caused by tension and increased blood flow
• Better posture, range of motion, and strength
• Improved sleep and less stress
• Reduced intake of pain medications
• More energy for daily life

Many patients notice relief after the first or first few visits. For ongoing pain, a short series of treatments helps retrain your body and bring steady improvement.

AFTERCARE (POST TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS)

• Stay hydrated
• Avoid stress triggers if possible and be mindful of any neck triggers
• Avoid vigorous exercise immediately after treatment
• Some patients may have temporary soreness at needling sites as the body processes treatment. This can be normal for some and resolves normally within 24-48 hours.
• Pain reduction is not the only progress people make on their journey to reduce and remove their pains. Pay attention to changes in mobility, strength, sleep, medications used, and overall comfort level.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many acupuncture sessions do I need for neck pain?

• Most patients notice improvement within the first visit or first few visits. For chronic conditions, a short series of 6–8 visits helps retrain your body and provide lasting relief.

Is acupuncture safe for chronic neck pain?

• Yes. We see many patients with acute and chronic neck pain. Acupuncture is a very safe option. Some patients may feel temporary almost post workout soreness at the needle site after treatment.

Can acupuncture help with tension headaches from neck pain?

• Absolutely. By relieving tight muscles, improving circulation, and regulating the nervous system, acupuncture often reduces headache frequency and intensity.

Do you accept insurance for acupuncture?

• Big Easy Acupuncture is a cash-based clinic. However, we can provide itemized receipts for insurance reimbursement upon request.

Unlike pain medications that only mask symptoms, acupuncture helps your body heal. It’s safe, natural, and effective — and it’s trusted by people all over the world.

🌿 Ready to Find Relief from Neck Pain?

📍 Big Easy Acupuncture | Metairie, LA
📞 504-650-0027

FEEL RIGHT. MOVE FREE. LIVE EASY.

References:

1. Irnich, D., et al. Randomised trial of acupuncture compared with conventional massage and “sham” laser acupuncture for treatment of chronic neck pain. British Medical Journal June 30, 2001;322:1-6.
2. Liang Z, Zhu X, Yang X, Fu W, Lu A. Assessment of a traditional acupuncture therapy for chronic neck pain: a pilot randomized controlled study. Complement Ther Med. 2011 Jan 19, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21195292.
3. Hokkanen, K., et al. (2003). Long-term results of acupuncture treatment for chronic neck and shoulder pain: A randomized controlled trial. Pain, 104(1–2), 197–204. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15157691/

Sleep Issues | Big Easy Acupuncture, Metairie LA

Insomnia, Restless Sleep, and Nervous System Dysregulation

If you struggle to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up feeling exhausted, you’re not alone.
Sleep problems affect millions of people and often build slowly over time.

At Big Easy Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine in Metairie, we help people understand why their sleep is disrupted and support the body so sleep becomes deeper, calmer, and more consistent.

Will Acupuncture Help Sleep Issues?

For many people, the answer is yes. Acupuncture can help insomnia by calming the nervous system, reducing physical tension, easing pain, and supporting the body’s natural sleep and wake rhythm.

The body is constantly remodeling, restructuring, and repairing. When sleep is disrupted, both the body and mind recover less efficiently, which can allow symptoms and conditions to last longer.

Sleep problems are often linked to stress, pain, muscle tension, digestion issues, or an overactive nervous system. Acupuncture works by addressing both the symptoms that disrupt sleep and the underlying patterns that keep the body stuck in a wired state, allowing sleep to become deeper, more consistent, and more restorative.

Is Acupuncture Safe for Insomnia?

Acupuncture is very safe when performed by a licensed provider. Side effects are uncommon and usually mild, such as temporary soreness or relaxation fatigue. Your care is always adjusted to your comfort and health history.

How Do Sleep Issues Show Up?

Sleep issues can present themselves in a few ways:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking early or difficulty staying asleep
• Sleeping for hours but not feeling rested
• Daytime fatigue, brain fog, poor focus
• More mistakes during the day
• Low mood, irritability, or high stress
• Body tensions that become hard to release

Sleep issues rarely affect sleep alone. They often spill into work, relationships, and physical health.

It can be:

• Short-term (acute), lasting days or weeks
• Long-term (chronic), happening three or more nights per week for months

What Causes Insomnia?

Insomnia usually does not have one single cause.
It often develops from a mix of stress, physical tension, and nervous system imbalance.

Common contributors include:

• Ongoing stress, anxiety, or mental overactivity
• Chronic pain or muscle tension
• Certain medical conditions
• Digestive discomfort or bloating
• Hormonal changes
• Breathing issues or nasal congestion
• Stimulants, caffeine, or substance use
• Screen time too late in the evening
• Travel or work schedule
• Irregular schedules or poor sleep habits
• Eating too close to bedtime
• Medications
• Supplements

Everyone’s baseline is different. What is normal for you is likely different from someone else’s lifestyle. It is good to discuss your normal so we are on the same page. 

How Acupuncture Supports Sleep

Acupuncture does not force sleep. Acupuncture supports the body’s ability to regulate and transition into rest.

Treatment helps by:

• Calming an overactive nervous system to shift the body into a state of rest and recovery
• Reducing body tensions and pains that can wake or disturb sleep
• Improving circulation and relaxation
• Supporting digestion and breathing

Common signs that care is working include:

• Falling asleep with less effort
• Feeling less wired at night, even if sleep is not perfect yet
• Fewer nighttime awakenings
• Being able to fall back asleep more easily
• Waking up feeling more settled instead of startled
• Less brain fog or irritability
• Reduced tension in the body, especially in the neck, shoulders, or jaw

Many people also notice changes outside of sleep, such as:

• More consistent energy during the day
• Better stress tolerance during the day
• Improved digestion or breathing
• Fewer pain flares that interrupt rest

These shifts suggest the nervous system is becoming more regulated, which allows sleep to deepen over time.

How Herbal Medicine Can Support Sleep

Herbal medicine supports sleep by working internally and consistently throughout the day and night. Unlike acupuncture, which influences the nervous system during in-office sessions, herbal medicine provides ongoing support between visits.

Herbal formulas are chosen through an herbal consultation that looks at sleep patterns, energy levels, digestion, stress response, and physical recovery. Treatment is active and adaptive. Formulas are customized week to week and updated based on how your body responds.

Rather than acting as a sedative, herbal medicine helps nourish, regulate, and stabilize the body so sleep becomes more reliable over time.

Herbal treatment works by:

• Supporting daily regulation of stress and energy
• Improving sleep depth and continuity
• Reducing internal tension or discomfort that disrupts rest
• Supporting digestion, breathing, and circulation
• Helping the body recover more efficiently during sleep

Herbal care is provided as its own treatment and may be used on its own or alongside acupuncture, depending on your care plan.

What Does Acupuncture for Sleep Feel Like?

Most patients find acupuncture sessions deeply relaxing. You may feel a slight pinch upon insertion of a needle or nothing at all at times. A set of needles is placed at various points to help regulate the nervous system and retained for 15 to 20 minutes while your body and mind release tension. 

You may notice:

• A sense of calm or heaviness
• Slower breathing
• Muscle release
• Falling asleep during treatment

How Many Treatments Are Needed for Insomnia?

This depends on how long sleep issues have been present and what is keeping the nervous system from settling. 

Recent or stress-related sleep issues: Some people notice improvement within a few visits

Long-term insomnia: A short series of treatments is usually recommended to retrain the nervous system

Progress often looks like:

• Falling asleep faster
• Fewer awakenings
• Deeper sleep
• Better energy, focus, and mood during the day

What to Expect During Treatment

At your visit, we will:

• Review your health history and symptoms
• Talk about mood, stress, and energy patterns
• Check areas of physical tension
• Perform mobility and strength assessments to identify physical tension or pain that may disrupt sleep
• Create a care plan that fits your needs
• Begin treatment

Treatment may include:

• Acupuncture
• Gentle bodywork
• Cupping or gua sha when helpful
• Herbal Medicine
• Recommended at-home exercises
• Lifestyle change recommendations

When to Seek Medical Care for Sleep Problems (Red Flags 🚩)

You should speak with a medical provider for possible lab testing if you experience:

• Loud snoring or breathing pauses during sleep
• Severe daytime sleepiness
• Chest pain, night sweats, or neurological symptoms

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and First Visit page for more common questions:

• First Visit
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Related Articles:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Pain

Acupuncture for Insomnia in Metairie, LA

At Big Easy Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine, care is:

• Calm and unhurried
• Hands-on and anatomy-based
• Focused on root causes, not quick fixes

We regularly work with people dealing with stress-related sleep issues, pain-related insomnia, and long-term nervous system overload.

Schedule an Appointment

If poor sleep is affecting your energy, focus, or quality of life, help is available.

📞 Call or text: 504-650-0027
💻 Schedule online: bigeasyacu.janeapp.com

Feel Right. Move Free. Live Easy.

Digestion Support | Big Easy Acupuncture, Metairie LA

What Goes In, Should Come Out

IBS, Bloating, Reflux, and Gut–Nervous System Imbalance

Digestive Issues & Nervous System Regulation

Digestive problems often don’t start in the stomach alone.
They’re closely tied to nervous system response, stress regulation, body signaling, and circulation.

Many patients who come in have tried diet changes, supplements, or medications, yet still experience unpredictable digestion tied to stress and nervous system reactivity.

What Digestive Issues Feel Like:

• Bloating or abdominal pressure, especially after meals
• IBS (constipation, diarrhea, or mixed)
• Reflux, nausea, or indigestion
• Poor appetite or feeling full too quickly
• Excess hunger or snacking appetite
• Irregular bowel movements
• Sense of sluggishness after sugary or fatty foods
• Urgency or rushing to reach the bathroom
• Abdominal tension or cramping
• Digestive issues worse with stress
• Fatigue or brain fog associated with meals 

Many patients notice symptoms worsen during work stress, travel, disrupted sleep, or periods where meals are rushed or inconsistent.

At Big Easy Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine in Metairie, we help people understand why their digestion is off and support the body so digestion becomes calmer, more predictable, and more resilient.

How Does Acupuncture Support Digestive Function?

For many people, the answer is yes.

Acupuncture works by:

• Nervous system regulation
• Circulation to the digestive organs and support of gut motility
• Improves signaling to the brain, spine, and internal organs
• Reduction of muscular and fascial tensions affecting digestion
• Stress responses that interfere with digestion

Care is individualized based on how symptoms show up for you, not just the diagnosis.

Common Digestive Conditions We See

Digestive support may help people experiencing:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Functional bloating or abdominal pressure
• Acid reflux or indigestion
• Stress-related digestive symptoms
• Irregular bowel habits
• Gut discomfort without clear structural findings

IBS is included here because many cases involve nervous system sensitivity rather than structural damage.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

The number of treatments for digestive concerns depends on several factors, including:

• How long digestive symptoms have been present
• The type of digestive issue being treated
• Whether symptoms are recent or long-standing
• Your individual response to treatment
• Your treatment goals
• Overall health factors such as sleep, stress, diet consistency, and nervous system regulation

Care may involve acupuncture, custom herbal blends, or a combination of both, depending on your needs and preferences.

Acute digestive issues (recent changes, short-term flare-ups, or stress-related symptoms) may respond within 1–5 visits or short-term herbal support, especially when triggers are identified early.

Chronic digestive issues often begin with 2 visits per week for 2–3 weeks when using acupuncture, with treatments spacing out as digestion, energy, and bowel patterns stabilize.
For some patients, custom herbal blends may be used as a standalone approach or alongside acupuncture to support longer-term regulation.

Maintenance care is optional. Some patients choose periodic acupuncture visits, ongoing herbal support, or both to help prevent flare-ups and maintain consistent digestion during busy or demanding periods.

What to Expect During Treatment

Your visit includes:

• A detailed intake focused on digestion, stress, and lifestyle patterns
• Acupuncture tailored to nervous system and digestive support
• Hands-on techniques as needed
• Time to rest and allow the body to shift into a calmer state

Treatment may include:

• Acupuncture
• Gentle bodywork
• Cupping or gua sha when helpful
• Herbal Medicine
• Recommended at-home exercises 
• Lifestyle change recommendations

Metrics of Improvement for Digestive Issues

Progress may look like:

• Energy is more stable throughout the day
• Less bloating or abdominal pressure
• More stable appetite and hunger cues
• More consistent bowel habits
• Bowel movements are more complete and easier to pass
• Reduced urgency, cramping, or discomfort
• Fewer stress-triggered flare-ups
• Improved comfort during and after meals

Improvement isn’t always instant, but it should feel noticeable, functional, and meaningful over time.

When to Seek Medical Care (Red Flags 🚩)

You should seek medical evaluation if you experience:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent or high fever
• Persistent or common shortness of breath
• Blood in stool
• Persistent vomiting
• Severe, persistent, or worsening abdominal pain
• Personality changes or disorientation 
• Feeling full with minimal food
• Migraine headaches or flashes of light

Acupuncture works best as part of a thoughtful care plan when serious conditions have been ruled out.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and First Visit page for more common questions:

First Visit

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Related Articles:

Stress

Anxiety

Sleep Issues

Ready to Support Your Digestion?

If digestive symptoms are affecting your comfort, energy, or daily routine, acupuncture may help your body regulate more effectively.

Care is always collaborative, measured, and adjusted based on how your body responds.

📞 Call or text 504-650-0027

💻 Schedule online anytime: bigeasyacu.janeapp.com

Feel Right. Move Free. Live Easy.