People often call us during the first 24–72 hours of sudden, severe low back pain or sciatica. Here’s what we tell them:

While acupuncture has a strong role in pain management, we find that it’s most helpful once the initial “excruciating” phase of low back pain has calmed down.

The early days of acute low back pain can be so intense that lying face-down for 40 minutes (which is typical for acupuncture) is uncomfortable.

Patients are often hoping that acupuncture will make the pain “instantly disappear,” (and we don’t blame them!) but that’s not how acupuncture works in the acute inflammatory phase.

Our clinical recommendation is:

  • – See a chiropractor first to get the muscles and nerves out of the “crisis phase.”
  • – About a week later, once the pain has reduced from “excruciating” to “manageable,” we add acupuncture to help with remaining muscle tension, nerve irritation, and inflammation.

This approach tends to lead to:

  • – Better comfort during treatment
  • – Better clinical results
  • – Better patient satisfaction
  • – Better long-term pain management

Why We Do It This Way:

  • – We want you to feel better as quickly as possible
  • – We want to make sure you’re using your time and money effectively during this stressful time
  • – We want to match the right treatment to the right phase of healing

Chiropractors we recommend locally include (but not limited to):

Dr. Alysha Arar of Full Circle Chiropractic in Seneca Falls: 

  • – fullcirclechiro.org
  • – 315-759-0262
  • – 12 N. Street 1st Floor Rm.4, Seneca Falls, NY (Dr. Arar’s office is right next to our office, inside the Academy Square Building)

Ryan Chiropractic in Waterloo: 

Why Come Back for Acupuncture Once the Acute Phase Has Passed?

Chiropractic care is excellent for the initial crisis phase when the pain is sharp, sudden, and movement feels impossible.

Once things calm down and you can move and lie down more comfortably, acupuncture can be an extremely effective tool to add to help reduce and manage your pain.

If your chiropractor recommends follow up chiropractic treatments (which is common), it is safe and effective to get acupuncture at the same time. They are complimentary treatments and work well together for great results.

In the post-acute phase, acupuncture is often used to help with:

  • – lingering muscle tension
  • – nerve irritation
  • – inflammation
  • – stiffness or guarded movement
  • – sleep disrupted by pain

In our providers’ clinical experience, acupuncture tends to shine in helping reduce future flare-ups and improve long-term comfort.

You don’t have to choose one or the other — many patients start with chiropractic and then add acupuncture as pain becomes more manageable.

If you have questions, you’re more than welcome to call or email our office. We’re more than happy to talk with you.

Our contact info is below.

Make an Appointment

Seneca Falls Acupuncture

(607) 216-8112   |   info@senecafallsacupuncture.com

Proudly serving Seneca Falls, Waterloo, Auburn, Skaneateles, Canandaigua, Geneva, and the greater Finger Lakes region since 2019.