Neuroplasticity, Pain, and the Healing Power of Acupuncture.

When new patients ask how many acupuncture sessions they’ll need or how to space them out, I often explain it in terms of neuroplasticity—the brain's remarkable ability to change, adapt, and heal. Understanding this concept not only helps clarify the course of treatment, but also empowers you to take an active role in your own healing, especially when it comes to chronic pain or trauma.

The Brain’s Role in Pain

All pain—whether physical or emotional—is processed in the brain. That doesn’t mean the pain isn’t real; it absolutely is. But the way our brain interprets and perpetuates that pain depends on the strength of certain neural pathways. The more attention we give to pain, the stronger those pathways become. This is where neuroplasticity comes in: with the right support and repetition, the brain can actually rewire itself to reduce pain and emotional distress.

What Is Neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This capacity plays a key role in healing from injury, trauma, and even chronic pain. Just like psychedelics are now being studied for their role in enhancing neuroplasticity, recent research shows that acupuncture also promotes neuroplasticity—without requiring the use of any substances.

In essence, acupuncture helps the brain "rewire" itself for better regulation of stress, emotion, and pain.

Why Treatment Frequency Matters

Because acupuncture works with the nervous system to initiate and reinforce healthier patterns, treatment needs to be frequent enough at the start to create momentum. This is something I explain often in the clinic:

• Coming once per week can be enough to keep the momentum going. But at that pace, it typically takes much longer to reach lasting results.

• Coming twice a week (at least in the beginning) gives the nervous system repeated exposure to the acupuncture signals it needs to rewire. It's like learning a new language—practicing twice a week creates fluency faster.

Unfortunately, what sometimes happens is that a patient tries coming once a week, doesn’t notice results quickly enough, and assumes acupuncture “isn’t working”—even though we’ve explained that the nervous system needs consistent input to re-pattern itself. It’s not because your body isn’t responding; it’s because we’re trying to nudge a very old pattern with just a tiny bit of input each week.

If you're ever unsure about how often to come, please ask—we’re always happy to talk through a plan that feels doable and effective for you.

Using Mindset to Support the Process

Here’s a simple technique I share with many patients to reinforce neuroplastic healing at home:

• Don’t feed the pain. When pain shows up, avoid focusing on it mentally. Redirect your attention. Every time you ruminate on pain, you strengthen the associated neural network.

• Celebrate pain-free moments. If you notice even five minutes without discomfort, mark it. Say to yourself, “Look at that! No pain right now.” This helps your brain build and strengthen the right pathways.

Resources like The Way Out by Alan Gordon, LCSW, and The Pain Management Workbook by Dr. Rachel Zoffness offer excellent, research-based techniques to help you work with your brain—not against it.

Acupuncture and Trauma: More Than Symptom Relief

Neuroplasticity is also at the heart of healing trauma and PTSD. New research shows that acupuncture is as promising as it is powerful. In fact, it may work similarly to psychedelic therapies by engaging the brain’s capacity to reorganize itself.

In clinical studies, acupuncture significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in combat veterans and improved their ability to “unlearn” fear-based responses—an essential aspect of trauma recovery. These changes weren’t just psychological. They were neurological: measurable shifts in the brain's reactivity, emotional regulation, and capacity to feel safe again.

How Acupuncture Promotes Neuroplasticity

Acupuncture influences the brain on several levels:

• Balances neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine

• Regulates the stress response system (HPA axis)

• Stimulates emotional processing centers like the amygdala and hippocampus

• Enhances endogenous opioids (your body’s natural painkillers)

This helps explain why patients often feel calm, clear-headed, or even emotional after treatment. It’s not unusual for long-stuck energy—whether it’s pain or old trauma—to begin moving, sometimes for the first time in years.

A Holistic, Accessible Approach

Unlike medications or psychedelics, acupuncture is non-pharmacological and non-invasive, making it a safe and accessible treatment for those wary of side effects or stigma. And because it engages neuroplasticity, it not only helps you feel better—it helps you stay better.

Many patients come in for physical pain and find themselves sleeping better, feeling more emotionally balanced, and responding to life with more ease. That’s the beauty of a treatment that works with your whole system.

Final Thoughts

I share this information with so many of my patients because I want you to know that what you’re experiencing—whether it’s physical pain, stress, or trauma—is not “all in your head,” but it is shaped by your nervous system. And the amazing news is that your nervous system can change.

With the right support, including acupuncture, your brain and body can relearn how to feel safe, calm, and pain-free. I’ve seen it happen time and time again in the clinic—whether someone is coming in for back pain, or anxiety, their system starts to shift in a meaningful way.

This is why I often recommend a series of closely spaced sessions to begin with. It’s not about chasing symptoms—it’s about creating momentum for your nervous system to build new patterns, and acupuncture gives it just the nudge it needs.

If you're curious to see how acupuncture can support your own healing, we would love to work with you. Call 603-903-0203 or book online to get started.

In health and balance,

Allison, LAc.