Acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain offers a natural, nonpharmacological option to reduce discomfort, improve function, and support your overall wellness. Whether you’re managing chronic low back pain, joint stiffness, or soft-tissue injuries, acupuncture complements your chiropractic care by targeting nerves, muscles, and connective tissue to stimulate your body’s own pain-relieving mechanisms. In this article, you’ll explore the principles of acupuncture therapy, review the latest clinical evidence, and learn how to integrate this holistic approach into your personalized treatment plan. By the end, you’ll know how to prepare for your sessions, maximize outcomes through self-care strategies, and access comprehensive integrative services for lasting relief.
Understand acupuncture basics
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture involves inserting very thin, sterile needles into specific points on your body to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue. Originating from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this technique aims to balance the flow of energy, or qi, through meridians. In Western practice, acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain and is increasingly applied for overall wellness, including stress management and musculoskeletal conditions [1].
How acupuncture works
Traditional Chinese medicine perspective
In TCM, illness and pain arise when qi becomes blocked or imbalanced. By inserting needles at defined acupoints, an acupuncturist helps restore smooth energy flow, alleviating tension and promoting healing.
Western physiological mechanisms
Western research suggests that needling stimulates nerve endings, triggering the release of neurotransmitters such as endorphins, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Acupuncture also appears to modulate inflammation via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and increase local blood flow, aiding tissue repair and reducing pain.
Evaluate pain relief evidence
BackInAction clinical trial
A large randomized trial called BackInAction enrolled 800 adults aged 65 or older with chronic low back pain lasting at least three months. Participants received standard acupuncture (8–15 sessions) or enhanced acupuncture (4–6 additional sessions) alongside usual medical care. At six and twelve months, those in acupuncture groups reported reduced disability, lower pain intensity, and improved physical function compared to usual care alone [2].
Evidence for other conditions
Rotator cuff disease outcomes
In 13 randomized trials with 1,371 patients, acupuncture alone or combined with physical therapy significantly improved short-term (0–1 month) and medium-term (1–3 months) shoulder function and pain relief in rotator cuff disease, outperforming control treatments. Improvements included better abduction (SMD=0.68) and external rotation (SMD=0.62) immediately after treatment [3].
Knee osteoarthritis results
Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses from 2016 to 2020 show that acupuncture provides short-term pain relief benefits for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis compared to sham or Western medicine controls, although it isn’t currently recommended for hip osteoarthritis [4].
Fibromyalgia findings
Six trials with 488 adults demonstrate that acupuncture (4–13 weeks, once or twice weekly) yields significant pain reduction and symptom improvement in fibromyalgia, with long-term benefits that often exceed those of conventional medication [4].
Consider safety and side effects
Acupuncture is generally low risk when performed by a certified practitioner using sterile, disposable needles [1]. Reported adverse events are usually mild and manageable:
- Pain or soreness at needle sites
- Bleeding or bruising
- Hematoma
- Syncope (fainting)
- Infection (rare)
| Side effect | Incidence | Management |
|---|---|---|
| Needle-site pain | Common | Rest, gentle stretching |
| Bleeding/bruising | Common | Apply ice, mild pressure |
| Hematoma | Less common | Avoid vigorous activity |
| Syncope | Occasional | Rest, hydration, monitor vitals |
| Infection | Rare (1.56%) | Antibiotics if needed |
(Source: Chinese Medicine (PMC))
Integrate with chiropractic care
Benefits of combined therapies
Pairing acupuncture with chiropractic adjustment offers synergistic benefits. While chiropractic focuses on realigning the spine and joints to restore biomechanical function, acupuncture targets the neural and muscular components of pain. Together, these modalities can:
- Enhance pain relief
- Improve mobility and range of motion
- Reduce reliance on medication
- Support faster recovery from injuries
Typical treatment plan
Session frequency and duration
A common plan for musculoskeletal pain involves one to two acupuncture sessions per week over six to eight weeks, with each session lasting up to 60 minutes [1]. Chiropractic visits often coincide to reinforce spinal alignment and soft-tissue balance.
Choosing techniques
Your practitioner may use manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, warm acupuncture, or specialized methods like fire acupuncture. Evidence suggests that electroacupuncture and warm acupuncture can enhance pain-related disability relief, though the best approach depends on your condition and response [5].
Explore our acupuncture adjunct to chiropractic bundle for detailed information on combining these services.
Prepare for acupuncture sessions
Finding a qualified practitioner
To ensure safety and effectiveness, look for:
- Certification by a recognized acupuncture board
- Experience treating musculoskeletal conditions
- A clinic associated with licensed chiropractors or integrative wellness centers
You can search for a local provider through our acupuncture clinic associated with chiropractor directory or book a consultation at our acupuncture and chiropractic center.
What to expect during sessions
Pre-treatment guidelines
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing
- Stay hydrated and eat a light meal
- Discuss your health history and current medications
Post-treatment care
- Rest and avoid strenuous activity for a few hours
- Apply heat or cold as recommended
- Practice gentle stretching to maintain range of motion
Maximize your treatment outcomes
Self-care strategies
Between sessions, you can:
- Use heat packs on sore muscles
- Practice low-impact exercises such as walking or swimming
- Try stress-reduction techniques like meditation or deep breathing
Lifestyle and nutrition tips
- Maintain a balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods (e.g., leafy greens, fatty fish)
- Stay adequately hydrated
- Prioritize sleep to support tissue repair
By reinforcing your acupuncture and chiropractic treatments with healthy habits, you’ll enhance pain relief and promote long-term resilience.
Access holistic wellness services
Our integrative offerings
We offer a full spectrum of care designed to address your musculoskeletal needs through natural, evidence-based therapies:
- Chiropractic + acupuncture services
- Holistic chiropractic acupuncture combo
- Acupuncture & spinal adjustment
- Integrated wellness services
Scheduling and next steps
Ready to experience natural relief? Contact us to schedule your initial consultation, where we’ll design a personalized plan combining chiropractic, acupuncture, and supportive therapies. If you’re in the Charlotte area, explore acupuncture for pain relief charlotte or learn about our broader integrative chiropractic acupuncture approach.
Take the first step toward lasting musculoskeletal health by calling our office or booking online today.
