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.