BACK PAIN
Acupuncture for Back Pain in Colorado Springs
I've had chronic back pain, and I understand the exhaustion and frustration it causes. It changes your perspective and can hold you back from just living life. When you find yourself saying no to things you used to love, it's time to try something different.
New Patients: $110 · Includes consultation & treatment
“I’ve had back pains for the longest time and after my first visit with Dawna much of the pain was gone.”
~ ARLENE G., YELP
What Would You Do If You Didn’t Have Back Pain?
Sometimes you just want to sleep comfortably, tie your shoes without bracing yourself, play with your kids or grandkids, or sit through a workday without constantly repositioning. Other times, it’s getting back to exercise or saying yes to plans without wondering how your back will feel afterward.
Those everyday things matter. I want to know what you’ve been missing and what you’d love to get back to doing. That’s where we’ll start—and what we’ll keep working toward.
Can Acupuncture Help Back Pain?
Yes, acupuncture can help some people with back pain, particularly ongoing low back pain. The goal is to reduce pain and help you move more comfortably—not just while you’re here, but in your everyday life.
The American College of Physicians lists acupuncture among the first non-drug options to try for ongoing low back pain. And a 2025 study of 800 older adults found that adding acupuncture to usual medical care helped people do more of their daily activities, and the difference was still there a year later.
What Are the Visits Like?
Your first visit includes a comprehensive intake and treatment, and it can last up to 90 minutes. I take time to understand what you’ve been dealing with and how your back pain has affected your life. I'll ask detailed questions about your pain, like when it started and what makes it better or worse.
I'll also ask questions that may seem unrelated, like how you sleep, your digestion, your mood, and whether you're doing things you love. I want you to think about the bigger picture, and which contributing factors could have something to do with your pain. I will then assess and observe how you move, carefully place needles, and let you rest for about 30 minutes. If needed, I'll add some bodywork to help the healing process.
All that being said, I don't push anyone to change their whole life. I encourage baby steps toward your health goals: not mine or the current trends, but what YOU want and hope to achieve.
How Soon Will I See Results?
Everyone is different. Some people feel instant relief, while for others it takes time. Most people fall somewhere in the middle. Don't get discouraged or give up if you don't see a huge difference the first session.
Progress with chronic pain can feel like a rollercoaster. Some days you may notice real improvement, while others feel like a setback. Sleep, stress, and changes in activity can all play a role. If your pain worsens or feels different, let me know so we can reassess. It’s important to keep in mind the bigger picture. Are you sleeping better? Walking farther? Getting through work more comfortably? Does the relief last between visits? These things matter and are wins we count when working with pain.
Most people come to see me for pain. But once they're feeling better, a lot of them keep coming back for the continued benefits they didn't know were possible such as sleeping through the night, feeling more calm, and better digestion.
How Much Does Acupuncture Cost?
First visit: $110
Follow-up visits: $80
Packages available for a series of treatments
HSA and FSA cards accepted
Includes intake, assessment, treatment, and take-home plan.
How Acupuncture Works
Acupuncture works with your body’s nervous system and may also influence local blood flow and immune signaling. By placing needles near the area of pain, or away from it, I’m working with your body’s own responses to help relieve pain. My job is to help your body do what it’s meant to do: its own healing.
Why does blood flow matter? Your blood brings oxygen and nutrients that tissues need for repair. Your cardiovascular and lymphatic systems work together to maintain fluid balance, while immune cells help clear damaged tissue and coordinate healing. Research suggests acupuncture can increase blood flow near the needles, which may be one part of how it works.
Acupuncture can also engage the body’s own pain-relieving mechanisms. Researchers have studied the roles of endorphins and adenosine in these effects. Together, these responses may help explain some of the relief people experience after acupuncture.
Why I Practice the Way I Do
A lot of people who come to see me have tried everything, including acupuncture somewhere else, but I practice differently. Years of experience helping thousands of people have taught me that no two people’s pain is the same, and if one point or modality doesn’t work, it’s OK to choose another one. I’m not married to a system or philosophy. I’m dedicated to doing what’s best for the person in front of me, and sometimes that means thinking outside the box.
I started as a massage therapist before diving into the world of Chinese Medicine. After getting my master’s in acupuncture, I went to China to do postgraduate work in stroke recovery. There, I gained a deeper understanding of Chinese Medicine—a medicine with more than 2,000 years of history that still surprises me with how much it has to teach us. Back in the States, I went on to get my doctorate, then my nursing degree, and believe it or not, I’m still learning. I’ll never claim to know everything. If I don’t have the answers, I’ll get them for you.
What I Wish Everyone with Back Pain Knew
Your imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT scan) isn't a death sentence. It doesn't mean you're doomed to have pain for life. As people get older, most have some degeneration or arthritis in their spine, but it's not necessarily the cause of the pain. In fact, lots of people with terrible-looking spines go through life with little to no pain. A large review of spine scans from 3,110 people with no back pain found disc degeneration in 37% of 20-year-olds and 96% of 80-year-olds. Many of these changes are likely just part of normal aging. And while pain is real and not something I take lightly or brush off as in your head, I've seen lots of folks with scary-looking imaging walk out without pain.
The biggest takeaways I want my patients to know are that time heals a lot of issues, and staying gently active usually helps more than resting in bed. So if you're in the thick of it and discouraged by the days, weeks, and even years of pain, and it seems like nothing has helped, give yourself grace and keep moving forward. Don't give up on yourself.
Why I Love This Work
I really love making believers out of skeptics, when they can't deny they feel better. I love watching people who came in hunched over and not able to talk walk out almost like they're floating on a cloud.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Most people feel a quick pinch or nothing at all, then a dull ache or heaviness. If anything feels sharp, tell me and I'll adjust it.
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That depends on how long you’ve had pain, how it affects you, and how you respond. At your first visit, we’ll discuss an initial plan and when to reassess. You won’t need to commit to an open-ended series before we know whether treatment is helping.
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Tell me what your experience was like, including anything that helped or made you uncomfortable. Acupuncture approaches vary, and that information helps me decide what might be worth trying differently. I can’t promise a different outcome, but I’ll give you an honest assessment.
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Loose, comfortable clothes. Bring a list of your medications and any imaging reports.
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Often, yes. Acupuncture can be part of a broader care plan that includes physical therapy, chiropractic, massage, exercise, and medical treatment. Let me know what you’re doing and about any recent procedures or restrictions. Don’t stop or change prescribed medication without speaking with your prescriber.
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Yes, I treat veterans through VA Community Care. Your referral and authorization need to be in place before treatment. Please contact LPAAC to coordinate your authorized visits rather than booking a self-pay appointment online.
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Most back pain isn't dangerous. Call 911 if you have numbness, tingling or weakness in both legs, numbness around your groin or bottom, or new trouble with your bladder or bowels. See your doctor soon if your pain follows a fall or injury, comes with a fever or unexplained weight loss, or isn't improving.
Ready to Try Acupuncture?
If you’re ready to try a different approach, I would be glad to help. We’ll start with what you’ve been dealing with and what you’d love to get back to doing.