An old practice with a place in modern care.
Acupuncture involves placing very thin, sterile, single-use needles at selected points on the body. The goal is not simply to treat a spot that hurts: treatment may be designed to address pain, muscle tension, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms based on your history and examination.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is described through concepts such as qi and meridians. These are part of a traditional framework for observing patterns in health and illness—not structures that can be directly equated with nerves or blood vessels.
Modern research explores how needling affects sensory nerves, the brain and spinal cord's processing of pain, local tissue responses, and chemical messengers involved in comfort and regulation. These findings offer useful explanations for some effects, but acupuncture does not have one proven mechanism for every condition.
What Does Research Say?
Evidence is strongest for certain pain-related concerns, including some forms of persistent back or neck pain, knee osteoarthritis pain, and the prevention of certain headaches or migraines. Acupuncture is also studied for nausea and for symptoms related to cancer treatment. For other uses—such as fertility outcomes, some types of neuropathy, insomnia, and cosmetic goals—the research is less certain or mixed.
At Alignment, we distinguish between what may help some patients feel better and what has been shown to change a medical outcome. Those are not always the same thing.
Is It Safe?
Acupuncture is generally considered safe when provided by a qualified clinician using appropriate techniques and sterile, single-use needles. Temporary soreness, minor bruising, or lightheadedness can occur; serious complications are rare but possible. Tell us if you are pregnant, take blood thinners, have a bleeding disorder, have an implanted electrical device, or are receiving cancer treatment.
Does It Replace Medical Care?
No. Acupuncture is a complementary option. We encourage appropriate diagnostic evaluation, medication when prescribed, physical therapy, fertility treatment, and ongoing medical follow-up as indicated.
Curious but Unsure?
You do not need to commit to a long series to ask questions. We can review your goals, discuss what is reasonable to expect, and determine whether acupuncture is a good fit.
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