By the Fitness Chiropractic team · Updated
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the oldest treatments in traditional Chinese medicine. A licensed acupuncturist places very fine, sterile needles at specific points on the body, leaves them in place while you rest, and then removes them.
Traditional theory describes these points as lying along energy pathways called meridians, with pain as a sign that the flow along them is blocked. Modern research looks at it differently: needling stimulates nerves, muscles and connective tissue, which may change how the nervous system processes pain signals and prompt the release of the body's own pain-relieving chemicals, such as endorphins. Either way, the goal is the same: less pain and easier movement, without relying on medication.
Meet Dr. Simon Kim, L.Ac.
Dr. Simon Kim is a licensed acupuncturist with a PhD in Oriental Medicine. He focuses on chronic pain and combines traditional Eastern medicine with modern techniques, including acupuncture, cupping, electrical stimulation and customized herbal formulas. He also has extensive experience helping busy professionals manage chronic stress and the physical symptoms that come with it.
Because Dr. Kim works on-site with our chiropractors, your care can be coordinated in one plan instead of across separate offices. Read his full bio on our acupuncturists page.
What acupuncture may help with
People commonly use acupuncture for:
- Back pain and neck pain, including pain that has lasted for months
- Sciatica and other nerve-related leg pain
- Tension headaches and migraine headaches
- Muscle tension and pain from sports or repetitive strain
- Stress and trouble relaxing or sleeping
- Aches and pains during pregnancy, with your obstetrician's approval
Results vary from person to person. Dr. Kim will talk with you about whether acupuncture is a good fit for your condition and what a realistic course of treatment looks like.
New patient special
See if acupuncture is right for you — $75 exam
Chiropractic and acupuncture under one roof
If you've been looking for a chiropractor that offers acupuncture, this is the advantage: the two approaches cover different ground. Adjustments focus on how your joints move, while acupuncture targets pain and muscle tension, so they can complement each other well.
Pairing acupuncture with chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy is common for stubborn back pain, neck pain and sports injuries. Your chiropractor and Dr. Kim can share findings, so each visit builds on the last. For example, acupuncture may calm a painful, guarded lower back enough that adjustments and exercises become more comfortable.
What happens during an acupuncture session
Your first session starts with a conversation about your symptoms, health history, sleep, stress and any medications. Dr. Kim may also check your posture, tender areas and range of motion.
You'll then lie comfortably on a treatment table while the needles are placed, usually somewhere between 10 and 20 depending on your treatment. Most people feel a brief pinch, a dull ache or a sense of heaviness at each point, then settle in to rest for a while before the needles are removed. Some sessions also include cupping or gentle electrical stimulation through the needles.
You can usually go straight back to your normal day. Some people feel relaxed or a little tired afterward, so drink some water and save hard workouts for later in the day.
How many acupuncture sessions will I need?
Acupuncture is usually given as a short series of sessions rather than a one-off treatment, because its effects tend to build over several visits. How many you need depends on what you're treating, how long you've had it and how you respond. Dr. Kim will suggest a plan after your first session and review your progress as you go. If you're not noticing a change after a fair trial, he'll tell you, and your chiropractor can look at other options.
Acupuncture, stress and weight management
Dr. Kim also works with patients who want support with stress, cravings and weight management. Acupuncture may help some people feel calmer and more in control of stress-related eating, but it isn't a stand-alone weight loss treatment. It works best as one part of a broader plan with nutrition and exercise; see our weight loss program for how those pieces fit together.
Is acupuncture safe?
When it's performed by a licensed acupuncturist using sterile, single-use needles, acupuncture is generally considered safe. Minor side effects can include small bruises, slight soreness where a needle was placed, or feeling lightheaded after a session.
Tell Dr. Kim before treatment if you:
- Have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners
- Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
- Have a pacemaker or another implanted electrical device
- Take prescription medications, especially before trying any herbal formula
