Acupuncture for Pain
Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine in Union Square, NYC
Acupuncture is increasingly recognized by pain specialists and neurologists as a safe and effective treatment for pain relief. Acupuncture is recommended for chronic primary pain, migraines, and tension-type headaches. In the US, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) endorses Acupuncture for cancer pain, while the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends it for low back pain, migraines, among others. One of the key reasons doctors recommend Acupuncture is its ability to reduce dependence on opioids and painkillers, offering a natural, long-term solution for managing pain. Many people seek acupuncture for pain relief in NYC as a natural, drug-free approach to managing chronic and acute pain.
How Acupuncture Relieves Pain
Scientific research now shows that Acupuncture works through several well-studied mechanisms:
Reducing pain signals sent to the brain
Regulating neurotransmitters to lower pain sensitivity
Easing inflammation & muscle tension to target the root cause of pain
This multi-targeted, drug-free approach sets Acupuncture apart from other treatments, helping you experience:
Lower daily pain levels
Improved mobility & function
Less reliance on pain medications
A faster return to normal activities
How acupuncture works for pain
Acupuncture acts on the nervous system directly. Needling specific points modulates pain signals traveling to the brain, reduces central sensitization — the process by which the nervous system becomes progressively more reactive to pain — and prompts the release of endogenous opioids, the body's own pain-regulating compounds. It also addresses the local tissue environment: reducing inflammation, releasing muscle tension, and improving circulation to areas that have become chronically restricted.
What this means practically is that acupuncture doesn't simply mask pain. It changes the conditions that are producing it.
Chinese herbal medicine adds another layer of treatment. Where acupuncture works on the nervous system and local tissue, herbal formulas work systemically — addressing the inflammatory, circulatory, and constitutional patterns that contribute to chronic pain. For patients with long-standing or complex pain presentations, the two together produce results that neither achieves as reliably alone.
What to expect in treatment
Pain cases at this practice are never approached with a standard protocol. The first appointment is a full intake — not just where the pain is, but how it behaves, what makes it better or worse, how long it has been present, and what else is happening in the body. Pain rarely exists in isolation, and treatment that ignores the larger pattern tends to produce limited results.
Treatment evolves as the body responds. Most patients notice meaningful change within four to six sessions, though complex or chronic cases take longer. Progress is assessed at every visit and the approach adjusts accordingly.
Conditions treated
Migraines & tension headaches
Neck and shoulder tension
Chronic back pain & sciatica
Sports injuries
Fibromyalgia
Trigeminal neuralgia
TMJ jaw pain
Vulvodynia
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)
Post-surgical pain
“I broke my left wrist and required surgery. While recovering, I discovered that I had developed a shoulder impingement in the same arm. I did occupational therapy, but my wife had suggested I try other holistic approaches to manage my physical discomfort and to increase my mobility. I was a bit skeptical.
I reached out to Dr. Samantha Hewwing for assessment of my symptoms. She clearly explained my options and how each treatment worked. I kept an open mind and was pleasantly surprised. I was able to move my arm with less discomfort. I decided to continue treatment with Dr. Hewwing and did a total of 8 sessions at 2x a week and paired it with my occupational therapy. After one month, I was able to regain full mobility and have been pain free since.
I have since recommended Dr. Hewwing to several friends and colleagues for various ailments and have reported good results for them as well. I would easily recommend Sam to anyone looking for a more holistic approach to treat any physical ailments. ”
- Ari H.
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