PAIN & INFLAMMATION
Acupuncture for Pain in Colorado Springs
Your back aches when you get out of the car. Your knees complain on the stairs. By evening you’re already bracing for tomorrow. Pain changes how you move, how you sleep, and how you show up for the people you love, and you deserve care that takes it seriously.
New Patients: $110 · Includes consultation & treatment
Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine · Registered Nurse · Practicing since 2009
What would your days be like if pain weren’t calling the shots?
Maybe you'd sleep through the night without shifting to find a comfortable position. Tie your shoes without bracing yourself. Get back on the trail, into the garden, or down on the floor with your kids or grandkids.
Whether your pain started with an injury, crept in over the years, or showed up for no clear reason, I want to understand what you've been missing and what you'd love to get back to. That's where I start.
Do any of these sound familiar?
Back or neck pain that flares when you sit, drive, or sleep wrong
Stiff, achy joints or arthritis that make stairs or long walks harder
Tight shoulders, muscle tension, or spasms that keep coming back
An old injury, sprain, or strain that never fully settled down
Headaches that start in your neck and shoulders
Heel or foot pain, like plantar fasciitis
Widespread aches, fibromyalgia, or nerve-related pain
Pain that wakes you up or keeps you from falling asleep
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Why Pain & Inflammation Is a Whole-Body Issue
Pain isn't only about the spot that hurts. Long-lasting pain often has more than one piece:
A sensitized nervous system. Your body may sound the alarm too easily.
Ongoing inflammation. It can slow repair and keep pain going.
Stress and poor sleep. Both can lower your pain threshold.
Digestion, blood sugar, and nutrition. These can quietly play a part, too.
That's why I ask about more than where it hurts. In Chinese medicine, your unique pattern guides your treatment, so two people with the same diagnosis may get very different care.
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How Acupuncture May Help
The goal is less day-to-day pain, easier movement, and better sleep, not just on the table but in your everyday life.
Acupuncture works with your nervous system and may prompt the release of your body's own pain-relieving chemicals, such as endorphins. It may also improve circulation around tight, stiff areas. When it fits your needs, I combine acupuncture with bodywork (Tui Na), cupping, herbs, and nutrition guidance to support you between visits.
Research note: A 2018 analysis pooling data from 20,827 patients in 39 clinical trials found that people who received acupuncture for chronic back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, chronic headache, or shoulder pain did better than those who received sham (fake) acupuncture or no acupuncture, and most of the benefit was still there a year later. Results vary from person to person.
What Your Visit Looks Like
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1
Time to Talk
Your visits are never rushed. We'll have time to talk through your history and goals before treatment, including where it hurts, when it started, what makes it better or worse, and what you've already tried. I'll also ask about sleep, stress, digestion, and medications, because they can all affect pain.
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2
Treatment & Rest
I'll explain what to expect, gently place ultra-fine, sterile needles, and give you time to rest. If your muscles need it, I may add bodywork (Tui Na), Shiatsu acupressure, cupping, or gua sha to ease tension and help you move more freely.
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3
A Plan That Fits Your Life
Before you leave, I'll suggest simple steps for between visits, talk through whether herbs or nutrition guidance would be useful, and set a time to check your progress.
YOUR PRACTITIONER
Meet Your Acupuncturist
I listen first. I want to know what your pain has kept you from doing, what you've tried, and what you'd love to get back to.
Two backgrounds, one approach. I'm a Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine, NCBAHM board certified, and licensed in Colorado and California. I'm also a Registered Nurse, so I'm comfortable working alongside the medical care you already have.
Experience with all kinds of pain. I've been helping thousands of patients since 2009, including postgraduate stroke-recovery work at a Chinese medicine teaching hospital in Tianjin, China, and caring for veterans since 2016.
I adjust as you go. If one approach isn’t helping, I’ll try another. I pay attention to how you respond and change your treatment as needed.
“After struggling with persistent neck and shoulder pain I was skeptical about acupuncture but decided to give it a try, and I'm so glad I did… The needles are virtually painless… I have found that I am without pain for a few days after each visit.”
~ CALIN E., GOOGLE
Frequently Asked Questions
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It depends on how long you've had pain, how severe it is, and how your body responds. Some people notice changes within the first few visits, while long-standing pain often needs a longer course of care. At your first visit, I'll suggest a realistic plan and a point to reassess, so you won't be asked to commit to an open-ended series before you know whether treatment is helping.
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Most people are surprised by how little they feel. The needles are about as thin as a few strands of hair. You may notice a brief pinch, a dull ache, warmth, or tingling, and then most people relax deeply. If anything feels sharp, tell me and I'll adjust it.
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Please don't stop or change any prescription on your own. Many of my patients use acupuncture alongside their current care. If your goal is to reduce medication, talk with your prescribing provider first.
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Dry needling uses needles mainly to release tight trigger points in muscle. Acupuncture is a complete system of medicine. It treats the painful area and also the patterns behind it, such as stress, sleep, and inflammation. I'm board certified and licensed in acupuncture, and I offer both.
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Often, yes. Acupuncture can be one part of a broader plan that includes physical therapy, chiropractic care, exercise, and medical treatment. Just tell me what else you're doing and about any recent procedures or restrictions.
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Call 911 if you have new weakness or numbness in both legs, numbness around your groin or bottom, or new trouble controlling your bladder or bowels. See your doctor soon if your pain follows a fall or injury, comes with fever, unexplained weight loss, or a hot, swollen joint, or keeps getting worse. Acupuncture complements medical care and doesn't replace an evaluation.
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Everyone is different. Some people feel relief right away, while for others it takes time. Most people fall somewhere in the middle, so don't get discouraged if you don't see a huge difference after 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 I can reassess.
Keep the bigger picture in mind. Are you sleeping better? Walking farther? Getting through work more comfortably? Does the relief last longer between visits? These are wins worth counting.
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Your first visit is $110 and includes a consultation and treatment. Follow-up visits are $80, and packages are available if you're planning a series of treatments. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
Ready to Get Back to What You Enjoy?
Whether your pain is new or has been around for years, I'll take time to understand it and find an approach that fits you. Have a question before booking? Text me and I'd be happy to help.
First visit: $110 • Follow-ups: $80 • Packages available • FSA/HSA accepted