We know that life is busy for all of us, and navigating through life as a mom can have it’s challenges. When you add pain to the mix, it can make things even tougher – who has time for pain? It is common for us to see moms coming in with nagging injuries that they have left simply too long because of their busy, hectic lives. Today we want to discuss how acupuncture can provide quick, effective pain relief for moms (and everyone for that matter!)
So what is acupuncture? Acupuncture is an ancient practice from Traditional Chinese Medicine, involving the insertion of thin needles into specific points (often called “acupoints”) on the body. While rooted in Eastern philosophy, modern research shows it can affect the nervous system, increasing release of endorphins, serotonin, norepinephrine, and reducing inflammation. Essentially, it’s like stimulating your body’s tissues and pain-processing system.
How does acupuncture and physiotherapy work together? Physiotherapy addresses biomechanics—posture, muscle balance, movement patterns. Acupuncture provides analgesia and neuromodulation. Together, they work to achieve the following:
- Accelerated pain relief: Acupuncture helps reduce muscle spasm and inflammation, allowing you to tolerate and engage in physiotherapy more effectively.
- Improved mobility & circulation: Improved local blood flow sets the stage for muscle stretching and joint mobilization in physio .
- Stress reduction: Managing pain is not just physical—it affects sleep, mood, and stress. Acupuncture can help restore calm, supporting your overall wellness journey
What does the evidence say? Let’s dive into a few studies
Neck/Back pain
- A landmark Annals of Internal Medicine study showed nearly 32% pain reduction in chronic neck pain patients who received acupuncture plus standard care, compared to standard care alone (soured from time.com)
- Meta-analyses confirm acupuncture is significantly better than no treatment for back/neck pain, and modestly better than sham acupuncture (csp.org.uk+4nccih.nih.gov+4reddit.com+4)
- A study found both real and sham acupuncture halved chronic low back pain vs standard care—suggesting strong physiological effects even from placebo (soured from the guardian.com)
Shoulder Pain
- A randomized trial involving over 425 participants showed that adding acupuncture to physiotherapy improved shoulder function more than physio alone, and reduced painkiller use (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1innovaintegratedwellness.ca+1)
Headaches & Migraines
- Moderate to high‑quality evidence suggests acupuncture reduces frequency of migraines and tension‑type headaches—often better than routine care (csp.org.uk)
Joint Pain & Osteoarthritis
- For knee osteoarthritis, acupuncture showed small yet statistically significant pain relief—though long‑term benefits remain questionable
- Patient reviews highlight improved mobility and reduced joint soreness .
Sciatica / Nerve Pain
- In a gold‑standard trial for sciatica from herniated discs, true acupuncture provided longer-lasting relief and functional gains, lasting more than a year.
How does this all help the busy mom? Acupuncture is typically a shorter session or a session combined with physiotherapy, think of it as a 2 in 1. Acupuncture offers built in stress relief, promoting relaxation and preventing fatigue. Acupuncture provides natural pain control to reduce risk of using heavy medications etc. Lastly, when acupuncture is combined with physiotherapy it simply helps to speed up recovery.
Are there any side effects? Acupuncture must be performed by a trained individual. At PhysiGO Mobile Services we have many members on our team who offer this treatment. The needles are sterile, single use, and acupuncture has very rare, minor side effects. If you are pregnant or on blood thinners it is recommended to contact your doctor first before initiating treatment.
The following is a typical treatment plan combining physiotherapy and acupuncture:
| Week | Treatment | Focus Areas |
| 1–2 | 2× acupuncture + 1× physiotherapy | Immediate pain relief, basic mobility |
| 3–4 | 1× acupuncture + 2× physio | Build strength, flexibility, posture auto-corrects |
| 5–8 | 1× acupuncture + independent physio | Transition to self-management |
Outcome: faster recovery, less pain, improved function—getting you back to your family faster.
How do you get started? You can start by discussing acupuncture treatment with your physiotherapist and determine if they offer this type of treatment. A lot of insurance plans cover acupuncture. Commit to your treatment plan set forth by your physiotherapist and begin the road to recovery!