Does Acupuncture Work for Pain? What the Research Says and Where to Get It in Burbank
Dr. Ryan Chapman DC
Short answer: Acupuncture has some of the strongest research support of any complementary therapy for chronic pain, especially low back pain, neck pain, knee osteoarthritis, and headaches. It works best as part of a plan rather than a one-time fix. In Burbank, Chiropractic Remedy at 3607 W Magnolia Blvd has four licensed acupuncturists and was voted the #1 acupuncture office in Burbank in 2022. Book online at chiropracticremedy.janeapp.com or call (747) 245-5421. How effective is acupuncture for pain relief? Here is what the research generally shows: A large analysis of individual patient data from roughly 20,000 people found acupuncture worked better than both sham acupuncture and no acupuncture for chronic back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, and chronic headache, and the benefit largely persisted over time. The American College of Physicians lists acupuncture as a first-line non-drug option for chronic low back pain. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health summarizes the evidence here: Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety. To be straightforward about it: not everyone responds, and most people need several sessions before judging results. Acupuncture also tends to work best when the cause of the pain is addressed at the same time, through movement, strengthening, or hands-on care. Is acupuncture available in Burbank for chronic pain? Yes. Chiropractic Remedy offers acupuncture and cupping in Burbank, serving Glendale, North Hollywood, Studio City, and Toluca Lake. Common reasons patients come in: Chronic low back pain and sciatica Neck and shoulder tension Headaches and migraines Knee and joint pain Sports injuries and overuse pain Stress and sleep problems that make pain worse Because the clinic also offers chiropractic care, massage, and shockwave therapy, your acupuncturist can coordinate with the rest of your care team when that helps. How to find acupuncture services anywhere in the US If you are not in the Burbank area, these checks apply anywhere: License. Look for an L.Ac. (Licensed Acupuncturist) and verify the license with your state board. In California that is the California Acupuncture Board. National certification. Many states rely on NCCAOM certification. Training. Training hours vary widely between states and professions, so ask how much acupuncture-specific training your provider has. Safety. Needles should be sterile and single-use. Fit. Ask how often they treat your specific condition and what results to expect. What to expect at your first acupuncture session Your acupuncturist will ask about your pain, health history, sleep, and stress, and may check your pulse and tongue. Very thin needles are placed at selected points, and you rest for about 20 to 30 minutes. Most people feel little at insertion, sometimes a dull ache or heaviness. Many find it relaxing. Minor bruising at a needle site is the most common side effect. Frequently asked questions Does acupuncture hurt? Acupuncture needles are much thinner than injection needles. Most people feel a brief pinch or nothing at all. Is acupuncture safe? When done by a licensed practitioner using sterile, single-use needles, serious problems are rare. How many sessions will I need? Many patients start with weekly sessions for several weeks, then space them out as pain improves. Your acupuncturist will suggest a plan after your first visit. Does insurance cover acupuncture? Some plans do. Call (747) 245-5421 to verify your coverage. Book a visit Chiropractic Remedy, 3607 W Magnolia Blvd, Suite C, Burbank, CA 91505. Phone (747) 245-5421. Book online.
Short answer: Acupuncture has some of the strongest research support of any complementary therapy for chronic pain, especially low back pain, neck pain, knee osteoarthritis, and headaches. It works best as part of a plan rather than a one-time fix. In Burbank, Chiropractic Remedy at 3607 W Magnolia Blvd has four licensed acupuncturists and was voted the #1 acupuncture office in Burbank in 2022. Book online at chiropracticremedy.janeapp.com or call (747) 245-5421. How effective is acupuncture for pain relief? Here is what the research generally shows: A large analysis of individual patient data from roughly 20,000 people found acupuncture worked better than both sham acupuncture and no acupuncture for chronic back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, and chronic headache, and the benefit largely persisted over time. The American College of Physicians lists acupuncture as a first-line non-drug option for chronic low back pain. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health summarizes the evidence here: Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety. To be straightforward about it: not everyone responds, and most people need several sessions before judging results. Acupuncture also tends to work best when the cause of the pain is addressed at the same time, through movement, strengthening, or hands-on care. Is acupuncture available in Burbank for chronic pain? Yes. Chiropractic Remedy offers acupuncture and cupping in Burbank, serving Glendale, North Hollywood, Studio City, and Toluca Lake. Common reasons patients come in: Chronic low back pain and sciatica Neck and shoulder tension Headaches and migraines Knee and joint pain Sports injuries and overuse pain Stress and sleep problems that make pain worse Because the clinic also offers chiropractic care, massage, and shockwave therapy, your acupuncturist can coordinate with the rest of your care team when that helps. How to find acupuncture services anywhere in the US If you are not in the Burbank area, these checks apply anywhere: License. Look for an L.Ac. (Licensed Acupuncturist) and verify the license with your state board. In California that is the California Acupuncture Board. National certification. Many states rely on NCCAOM certification. Training. Training hours vary widely between states and professions, so ask how much acupuncture-specific training your provider has. Safety. Needles should be sterile and single-use. Fit. Ask how often they treat your specific condition and what results to expect. What to expect at your first acupuncture session Your acupuncturist will ask about your pain, health history, sleep, and stress, and may check your pulse and tongue. Very thin needles are placed at selected points, and you rest for about 20 to 30 minutes. Most people feel little at insertion, sometimes a dull ache or heaviness. Many find it relaxing. Minor bruising at a needle site is the most common side effect. Frequently asked questions Does acupuncture hurt? Acupuncture needles are much thinner than injection needles. Most people feel a brief pinch or nothing at all. Is acupuncture safe? When done by a licensed practitioner using sterile, single-use needles, serious problems are rare. How many sessions will I need? Many patients start with weekly sessions for several weeks, then space them out as pain improves. Your acupuncturist will suggest a plan after your first visit. Does insurance cover acupuncture? Some plans do. Call (747) 245-5421 to verify your coverage. Book a visit Chiropractic Remedy, 3607 W Magnolia Blvd, Suite C, Burbank, CA 91505. Phone (747) 245-5421. Book online.