Acupuncture for Back Pain

Low back pain is the best-studied use of Acupuncture, and the one where the evidence is strongest. Clinical guidelines, including those of the American College of Physicians, list Acupuncture among first-line non-drug treatments for low back pain, and Medicare covers it for this diagnosis.

That matters most for pain that has outlasted the injury that started it — where the tissue has healed, imaging does not explain the severity, and the pain has become its own problem.

Making rehab possible. Reducing pain and muscle guarding enough that Physical Therapy can actually progress, rather than being cut short every session by pain.

Reducing medication reliance. A drug-free lever for patients who want fewer pills, or whose physicians want that for them.

Working alongside adjustment. Chiropractic care and Acupuncture are often run together for low back pain, because they address different parts of the same problem.

Acupuncture needles are hair-thin — nothing like injection needles — and insertion typically feels like a brief tap, or like nothing at all. Once the needles are placed you may notice warmth, heaviness or a dull ache at the point, which practitioners consider a good sign. Most patients simply relax; falling asleep on the table is common.

Your first visit includes a review of your history and treatment goals, then your first treatment — usually forty-five to sixty minutes in total.

Every one of our clinics in Colorado and Arizona has Acupuncture, including both Arizona locations. No referral is needed, and appointments are usually available within the same week.

Does acupuncture help chronic low back pain?
Low back pain is the best-studied application of Acupuncture. Clinical guidelines, including those of the American College of Physicians, list it among first-line non-drug treatments for low back pain.

Does Medicare cover acupuncture for back pain?
Medicare covers acupuncture for chronic low back pain. We verify your benefits before your first visit.

Do I need a referral?
No. A referral is not needed for Acupuncture, or for any of our services.

How many sessions will I need?
A course usually runs six to twelve sessions over several weeks. Improvement often shows within the first three or four, and we re-evaluate against your goals rather than continue indefinitely.

Can I have acupuncture and chiropractic care together?
Yes. They are commonly run together for low back pain, and both are available in the same building.

How soon can I be seen?
Appointments are usually available within the same week.