Acupuncture for Back Pain
Licensed Acupuncture Treatments for Lasting Relief
Acupuncture for Back Pain
Targeted, Licensed Treatment for Chronic and Injury-Related Back Pain
The Clinic for Pain and Anxiety provides focused acupuncture for back pain in Beverly Hills and across greater Los Angeles. Treatment is directed at the specific source of the pain — herniated and bulging discs, sciatica, lumbar strain, muscle spasm, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and spinal stenosis — using acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release. The objective is measurable: reduced pain, restored mobility, and less reliance on medication. Acupuncture is recommended as a first-line, non-drug treatment for low back pain by the American College of Physicians.
Acupuncture works by stimulating the nervous system to release the body's own pain-relieving compounds, reducing inflammation, relaxing tense muscles, and improving circulation to the affected area. For back pain specifically, research indicates it can reduce pain intensity and improve the ability to move and carry out daily activities. Rather than masking symptoms, the aim is to address the muscular and neurological patterns sustaining the pain.
Back Pain Conditions We Treat
Back pain is not a single condition, and it is not treated as one here. Each case is assessed to identify the underlying mechanism before a treatment plan is built. The clinic regularly treats:
Chronic lower back pain — persistent lumbar pain lasting twelve weeks or longer.
Lumbar strain and muscle spasm — overstretched or torn muscles and the protective spasm that follows.
Herniated or bulging discs — disc material pressing on surrounding nerves and tissue.
Sciatica and radiating nerve pain — pain traveling from the lower back through the buttock and leg. (See Acupuncture for Sciatica Pain.)
Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction — pain at the junction of the spine and pelvis.
Spinal stenosis and degenerative changes — narrowing and age-related wear that compress nerves.
Postural and repetitive-strain pain — pain driven by prolonged sitting, desk work, or movement patterns.
Acute and injury-related back pain — addressed in detail below
Back pain that follows a specific injury behaves differently from pain that develops gradually, and it is a core focus of this practice. The clinic has extensive experience treating back pain resulting from:
Auto and motor-vehicle accidents
Workplace and on-the-job injuries
Sports and overuse injuries
Post-surgical and post-trauma recovery
For accident and work-related cases, the clinic is experienced in coordinating treatment alongside the documentation these cases require, and works with personal-injury and workers' compensation patients. Care is structured around recovery and function, with clear records of progress throughout the course of treatment.
Treatment Techniques We Use
Acupuncture — fine, sterile needles placed at precise points to influence the nervous system and target the source of pain.
Electro-acupuncture — gentle electrical stimulation applied through the needles to relax muscle and modulate pain signaling.
Trigger point and motor point needling — direct treatment of the tight, painful bands within a muscle that refer pain elsewhere.
Myofascial release — hands-on work to release restricted connective tissue contributing to back tension.
Cupping and gua sha — techniques that promote circulation and ease musculoskeletal tension and stiffness.
Where appropriate, Sensory Immersive Therapy — the clinic's proprietary protocol — may be incorporated when stress and nervous-system patterns are amplifying physical pain.
What to Expect in Your First Acupuncture Visit
At your appointment for back pain in Beverly Hills:
You will be asked to fill out a health questionnaire and medical history, including any medications and supplements you are taking.
The practitioner will observe your tongue and pulse.
You will be asked to lie face down on the treatment table with your underwear on.
The skin will be cleansed, and extremely fine, sterile needles will be inserted into precise points in the body that the practitioner determines, based on the pattern of imbalance.
The needles will be left in for 15 to 45 minutes with gentle stimulation from the practitioner.
Adjunct therapies like cupping, electric stimulation, gua sha, and light body work may be provided.
Sensory immersive therapy may be recommended if the practitioner feels you may need more emphasis on your thought patterns as an adjunct to acupuncture.
How Many Treatments Are Needed?
Most patients are advised to begin with a course of 8 to 10 treatments. Acute pain often responds sooner; chronic or injury-related conditions may require a longer course. A plan is set after your initial assessment and adjusted to your response.
What the Research Says About Acupuncture for Back Pain
Over 33 percent of older American adults suffer from chronic low back pain.
Pain was reduced by at least 33 percent in acupuncture study participants.
Science-Backed Benefits Explained
Acupuncture patients with chronic lower back pain reported greater reductions in pain-related disabilities after six and twelve months than those receiving standard medical care alone.
Participants reported lower pain intensity and improved physical function.
Back pain patients receiving acupuncture therapy suffered fewer anxiety symptoms than patients receiving their usual care.
Acupuncture has been linked to improvements in pain intensity, the ability to perform daily self-care activities, and a reduction in the number of medications required to manage pain.
Sources:
Happy Client Testimonials
I started seeing Hana because I was experiencing horrible lower back pain. Little did I know she was going to help me not just with my back, but with my congestion (I had a cold) and state of mind. After just one appointment with Hana, I noticed a huge difference in my back pain, and after three appointments, I noticed my whole experience of self starting to shift in a more positive direction. Hana helped me identify what negative thoughts and fears were weighing me down and helped me understand how they were being expressed in my body. Her personalized meditations helped me reconnect with myself in a genuine and more positive way. My experience was very therapeutic in that it was physically, mentally, and even spiritually healing. I am noticing myself feeling more centered and connected in my daily life since my sessions. Overall, my experience with Hana was invaluable, and I would highly recommend her to anyone!
I came to the Clinic for Pain and Anxiety to get treatment for a back injury that occurred during military service. On top of all the stress build-up of military service and blunt force trauma, there was a lot to work through. After one session with Hana, I could already feel the difference in my body. After about eight weeks of treatment my mood was consistently better, the sitting pain I was experiencing in my back was gone completely, and I simply felt more in tune with my body. I would recommend the Clinic to anyone suffering with any sort of pain in their body and even to someone who simply has a high stress life.
I was experiencing panic/anxiety attacks that caused pain on my back and shoulders and the pain wasn’t going away even after massages and physical therapy exercises. For 2 months, it felt like there were 10 pound weights on each shoulder. After one acupuncture and cupping treatment with Ali, I felt a significant relief on my back and my shoulders felt so much lighter! Ali was very caring and attentive, Tara from front desk was very kind in person and over the phone, and the clinic is small but cozy and relaxing. I originally just wanted acupuncture but after my first treatment I was surprised that Hana, the owner, wanted to talk to me about the anxiety I was experiencing. I was hesitant at first because my previous therapist wasn’t really helping me improve but I figured to give it a shot since the acupuncture treatment went well. Hana‘s process is quite poetic and she helps you see through a different perspective and gain some insight. Although I’ve only had two sessions with her (online), I feel a major improvement with myself. I highly recommend Clinic for Pain and Anxiety if you need some healing for your mind and body!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is acupuncture safe for back pain? Yes. When performed by a licensed acupuncturist using sterile, single-use needles, acupuncture is considered a safe, low-risk treatment for back pain.
Can acupuncture help a herniated disc or sciatica? Acupuncture is commonly used for disc-related and radiating nerve pain such as sciatica, with the goal of easing pain and improving mobility. Your case is assessed individually to determine the right approach.
How soon will I feel relief? Many patients notice a difference within the first few sessions, though chronic and injury-related conditions generally improve over a fuller course of treatment.
Does insurance cover acupuncture for back pain? Most insurance carriers cover acupuncture and we are happy to provide superbills, and the clinic will gladly verify your benefits. The clinic also works with personal-injury and workers' compensation cases.
How is acupuncture different from chiropractic care? Chiropractic care focuses on joint and spinal adjustment; acupuncture works through the nervous system and soft tissue to reduce pain and muscle tension. The two are often used alongside each other.
Is treatment painful? Most patients feel little to no discomfort. Many find the sessions deeply relaxing.