Acupuncture for Pain

Pain — whether acute or chronic — is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. While medications can be helpful, many patients want options that are non-drug, low risk, and compatible with physical therapy and lifestyle changes. Acupuncture is one of the most studied of these approaches.

Acupuncture is the use of an acupuncture needle, and it includes hundreds of styles and techniques. Traditional acupuncture refers to styles like TCM and classical acupuncture that rely on acupoints and meridians. Dry needling is another needling style that uses an acupuncture needle — it targets trigger points and dysfunctional muscle tissue to relieve pain and restore function.

Below, we’ll explore how acupuncture can help with pain in general — both acute and chronic — what the research says, how it works in scientific terms, and what you can expect if you try it.

Related reading: Acupuncture Guide, Acupuncture and the Nervous System

Key Points

• Acupuncture is used worldwide for both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) pain.

• Clinical studies show benefit for common pain problems including low back pain, osteoarthritis, neck pain, and headaches.

• Pain relief can come from local tissue effects, changes in spinal cord pain processing, and brain-level modulation.

• When performed by a licensed practitioner with sterile needles, acupuncture is considered very safe.

• Treatment plans and response times differ between acute and chronic pain.

Acute vs Chronic Pain and Acupuncture

Pain Type	Definition	Typical Causes	How Acupuncture May Help
Acute Pain	Starts suddenly and usually resolves as the injury heals	Sprains, strains, post-surgical pain, sports injuries	Reduces inflammation and muscle guarding, speeds return to movement, may shorten healing time when combined with rehab
Chronic Pain	Persists for weeks, months, or years after tissue healing	Arthritis, nerve injury, fibromyalgia, persistent post-injury pain	Calms overactive pain signaling, improves movement, supports nervous system regulation to reduce flare-ups

Effectiveness & Safety of Acupuncture

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) reports that acupuncture is one of the most extensively studied complementary approaches for pain, especially for low back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis of the knee, and headaches. Evidence supports its use in managing these conditions, though more research is ongoing for others.

Safety: When performed by a licensed acupuncturist using sterile, single-use needles, acupuncture is considered very safe. Side effects are usually minor, such as temporary soreness or slight bruising at needle sites.

How acupuncture works for pain

• Local effects: Needling stimulates small sensory nerves, increases local blood flow, and can relax tight muscle fibers or trigger points.

• Spinal cord modulation: Signals from needled areas can dampen pain transmission in the spinal cord (segmental inhibition).

• Brain-level changes: Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins and other neurochemicals that change how pain is processed. It can also shift activity in brain regions linked to pain perception.

• Anti-inflammatory effects: Research shows acupuncture can downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines and influence the autonomic nervous system to promote healing.

Example Acupuncture Point Groups for Pain

Pain Area	Primary Points (Traditional)	Adjunct Points / Techniques	Scientific Rationale
Low Back Pain	BL23, BL25, BL40	GB30, GB34, Huatuojiaji at lumbar levels	Relieves muscle spasm, increases blood flow, reduces nerve irritation
Generalized Chronic Pain	LI4, ST36, SP6	Ashi points in affected muscles	Promotes systemic endorphin release, modulates central pain processing
Neck Pain	GB20, GB21	SI14, SI15, local trigger point needling	Reduces tension in cervical muscles, improves range of motion

Find a board certified acupuncturist

Always choose a licensed acupuncturist trained in clean-needle technique. In the U.S., you can verify credentials through the NCCAOM Find a Practitioner tool.

What to Expect in Treatment

• Frequency: Acute pain may require 1–2 visits per week for 2–4 weeks; chronic pain may start with 1–2 visits per week for 4–8 weeks.

• During the session: Needles are typically retained for 15–30 minutes. You may feel heaviness, tingling, or warmth at needle sites.

• Results: Some feel relief immediately; for others, it builds over several sessions.

Conclusion

Acupuncture is a safe, non-drug treatment that can help manage both acute and chronic pain by influencing the nervous system, muscles, and inflammatory pathways. Whether you’re recovering from a recent injury or living with ongoing discomfort, it can be part of a comprehensive pain management plan alongside physical therapy and exercise.

If you’d like to learn more or see if acupuncture is right for you, we offer a free 15-minute phone consultation.

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• Does acupuncture help with acute pain?

  Yes — it can reduce inflammation, muscle guarding, and pain signals in the early phase after injury, often making it easier to move and recover.

• Does acupuncture help with chronic pain?

  Yes — research shows benefits for conditions like low back pain, knee osteoarthritis, and neck pain, often with fewer side effects than long-term medications.

• How many acupuncture sessions will I need for pain relief?

  It varies. Acute cases may improve within a few visits; chronic pain may require a longer course before sustained improvement.

• Is acupuncture safe for pain management?

  Yes — when performed by a licensed professional using sterile needles.

• How does acupuncture compare to medications for pain?

  For some conditions, acupuncture may be as effective as standard medications, without the side effects or dependency risks.

• Can acupuncture help reduce the need for opioids?

  It may — by providing effective pain relief, some patients can reduce or eliminate their need for opioid medications.

Sources:

• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2024). Acupuncture: In Depth. NIH/NCCIH

• Vickers, A. J., et al. (2012). Acupuncture for chronic pain: individual patient data meta-analysis of 29 randomized controlled trials. Archives of Internal Medicine, 172(19), 1444–1453.

• Zhao, Z.-Q. (2008). Neural mechanism underlying acupuncture analgesia. Neuroscience Bulletin, 24(3), 125–130.