Acupuncture & Electro-Acupuncture
Discover how acupuncture and electro-acupuncture can relieve pain, restore balance, and support whole-body healing. Gentle, personalized treatments from board-certified Chinese medicine doctors.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a time-tested therapy that uses very fine, sterile needles to stimulate specific points on the body, called acupuncture points. These points lie along meridian pathways — channels used in Chinese medicine to guide the flow of Qi (energy) throughout the body.
Acupuncture helps support natural healing, restore balance, and regulate the function of the nervous system, organs, and circulation.
Does It Hurt? What Does It Feel Like?
Most people are surprised by how gentle acupuncture is. The needles are much thinner than those used for shots or blood draws, and many patients feel little to no discomfort when they’re inserted.
In fact, once the needles are in, many people describe feeling relaxed or even euphoric — often called the “acupuncture high.” It’s not uncommon for patients to fall asleep during treatment.
What Conditions Does Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture is widely used for both acute and chronic conditions. Common concerns we treat include:
Hormonal imbalances, menstrual issues, and fertility
Allergies, asthma, and respiratory concerns
Migraines and headaches
Back pain, neck tension, and joint pain
Digestive issues like IBS or bloating
Stress, anxiety, and depression
Our doctors tailor every treatment to your unique health needs, combining acupuncture with other therapies when needed.
Fatigue and low immunity
Sleep disorders, insomnia, night sweats
How We Use Acupuncture at Empirical Medicine
At Empirical Medicine, our board-certified Chinese medicine doctors use acupuncture as part of a comprehensive, whole-person approach. Each treatment plan is personalized to support your body’s natural intelligence.
We use gentle, precise techniques that are effective whether you’re new to acupuncture or seeking advanced care for complex issues. Acupuncture may be paired with:
What to Expect During a Session
Your first session includes a consultation and full evaluation, so we can understand your symptoms, goals, and overall health picture. You'll lie comfortably on a treatment table while the doctor places the needles. Most sessions last about 45–60 minutes, and you’ll leave feeling calm, supported, and more balanced.
Ready to Start Feeling Better?
Whether you're managing chronic pain, stress, or simply seeking better balance, our doctors are here to help.
Book your first visit today and take the next step toward whole-body wellness.
Acupuncture is known to regulate heart rate, blood pressure(1), relieve stress and inhibit inflammation.
Prevents coronary heart disease.(2)
Extremely rare for there to be adverse reactions.
Nitric oxide was found to be generated by acupuncture resulting in increased local blood flow(3). NO signals muscles to relax.
Research into evidence-based non-pharmacologic pain care has proven the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of post-surgical pain, chronic pain, acute nonsurgical pain and pain from cancer.(4)
(1) Sriloy, M. , Nair, P. M. , Pranav, K. , & Sathyanath, D. (2015). Immediate effect of manual acupuncture stimulation of four points versus slow breathing in declination of blood pressure in primary hypertension—A parallel randomized control trial. Acupuncture and Related Therapies, 3(2), 15- 18.
(2) Tick, H., Nielsen, A., Pelletier, K., Bonakdar, R., Simmons, S., Glick, R., Ratner, E., Lemmon, R., Wayne, P. and Zador, V. (2018). Evidence-Based Nonpharmacologic Strategies for Comprehensive Pain Care. Pg. 41
(3) Tsuchiya, M., Sato, E. F., Inoue, M., & Asada, A. (2007). Acupuncture enhances generation of nitric oxide and increases local circulation. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 104 (2), 301-307.
(4) Tick, H., Nielsen, A., Pelletier, K., Bonakdar, R., Simmons, S., Glick, R., Ratner, E., Lemmon, R., Wayne, P. and Zador, V. (2018). Evidence-Based Nonpharmacologic Strategies for Comprehensive Pain Care.
(5) Moxafrica.org. https://www.moxafrica.org/copy-of-uganda-project-1. Published 2019.