Acupuncture for Pain Management
Most people have heard of acupuncture for pain – especially for things like back or neck pain. But did you know acupuncture is also used for headaches, period pain, pelvic pain and even pregnancy-related pain?
The evidence for these conditions is strong and growing (1, 2, 3) and it’s something we see every day in clinic.
Quite a few clients first come to us after trying dry needling. The difference is that acupuncture goes further: instead of focusing just on the sore spot, we also work along the meridians and address the underlying patterns. (Read more on this here). This is particularly effective when pain is tied to hormones, stress, or emotions – which (in our experience) is often the case.
Pain in Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pain is often seen as a result of stagnation or imbalance in the body’s energy (Qi) and blood flow. When Qi or blood is blocked, pain may arise – sometimes sharp and intense, other times dull and achy. Acupuncture treatment involves gently moving and harmonising these pathways to restore flow and ease discomfort. Different types of pain may be linked to different organ systems and meridians, which guides the point selection of each treatment.
Pain Conditions We Commonly See
In addition to treating “standard” musculoskeletal pain, our Yin acupuncturists regularly support clients experiencing:
Menstrual and Pelvic Pain
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Period pain (dysmenorrhoea): Often linked to stagnation in TCM, acupuncture may reduce cramping and help regulate cycles (4).
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Endometriosis-related pain: Acupuncture can help manage chronic pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, and painful intercourse. (5,6)
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Adenomyosis-related pain: Similar to endometriosis, this may involve severe menstrual pain and pelvic discomfort.
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Pelvic pain, vulvodynia and vaginismus: Chronic vulva pain, involuntary tightening or burning sensations (often unexplained) may respond well to acupuncture support.
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Dyspareunia (painful intercourse): Can arise from hormonal, trauma, inflammatory or structural causes and we find responds well to acupuncture.
Pregnancy Related Pain
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Pelvic girdle pain (PGP): Common in pregnancy, PGP can limit mobility and quality of life. The Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines specifically note acupuncture as a recommended treatment option for PGP (7). All of our practitioners are trained in providing safe treatment for pain during pregnancy.
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Musculoskeletal pain: Back pain, hip pain, and joint discomfort during pregnancy are frequent concerns we address.
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Digestive pain and discomfort: Pregnancy can bring issues such as constipation, haemorrhoids, and indigestion or reflux that we see regularly.
Labour Pain and Preparation
Acupuncture is also used to support labour preparation, helping to optimise the body for birth and potentially ease pain during labour itself. Evidence suggests acupuncture may improve pain management during labour, offering a safe complement alongside medical care when needed. For more information on labour preparation read our blog here.
Postpartum Pain
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Pelvic floor pain: May arise from birth recovery, whether vaginal or caesarean.
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C-section recovery: Acupuncture may help with healing, reducing scar pain and supporting tissue recovery.
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Breastfeeding-related pain: Such as mastitis, blocked ducts, or nipple discomfort.
Headaches and Migraines
There is strong evidence supporting acupuncture for both headaches and migraines, with studies showing reductions in frequency and severity (1). This is a symptom we support every day – either as the main complaint but also often as bonus improvement when treating other conditions.
Menopause-Related Pain
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Joint and muscle pain: Often related to hormonal changes in perimenopause and menopause.
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Vaginal discomfort or dryness: Acupuncture may help improve circulation and reduce associated pain.
Chronic and Systemic Pain Conditions
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Fibromyalgia: Widespread pain and fatigue may be eased with regular acupuncture support.
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Chronic fatigue syndrome with pain: Acupuncture may assist in managing muscular and joint discomfort.
What the Evidence Says
Recent large-scale reviews highlight acupuncture’s role in pain management. A 2025 systematic review found strong evidence for acupuncture in treating headaches, migraines, osteoarthritis, and musculoskeletal pain, with moderate evidence for conditions such as dysmenorrhoea and pelvic pain (1). Another review concluded that acupuncture is effective in a range of chronic pain conditions, offering both pain reduction and improvements in quality of life (3).
Importantly, acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed by trained practitioners, including during pregnancy (8).
Why Choose Acupuncture for Pain?
Acupuncture provides a non-invasive, holistic approach to managing pain by targeting the root cause rather than just masking symptoms. By promoting circulation, reducing inflammation, and balancing the nervous system, acupuncture can help restore function and improve overall well-being.
All of our Yin practitioners are degree-qualified and trained in safely treating pain, including during pregnancy. We provide individualised treatment plans that may include acupuncture, dietary and lifestyle support, and, where appropriate, Chinese herbal medicine. Whether you are managing period pain, pelvic pain, headaches, or pregnancy-related discomfort, we work with you in a supportive and evidence informed way.
References
1. McDonald, JL., 2025. Efficacy, Safety and Mechanisms of Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture for Pain: A Narrative Review. Medical Research Archives, [online] 13(8). https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.
2. Hempen M, Hummelsberger J. The state of evidence in acupuncture: A review of metaanalyses and systematic reviews of acupuncture evidence (update 2017-2022). Complement Ther Med. May 2025;89:103149. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103149
3. Vickers, A.J., et al. (2018). “Acupuncture for chronic pain: Update of an individual patient data meta-analysis.” The Journal of Pain, 19(5), 455-474.
4. Armour, M., et al. (2019). “Acupuncture for dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” BMJ Open, 9(3), e023637.
5. Giese N, Kwon KK, Armour M. Acupuncture for endometriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Integr Med Res. 2023 Dec;12(4):101003. doi: 10.1016/j.imr.2023.101003. Epub 2023 Oct 28. PMID: 38033648; PMCID: PMC10682677.
6. Chen C, Li X, Lu S, Yang J, Liu Y. Acupuncture for clinical improvement of endometriosis-related pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2024 Oct;310(4):2101-2114. doi: 10.1007/s00404-024-07675-z. Epub 2024 Aug 7. PMID: 39110208; PMCID: PMC11393010.
7. The Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines – Common Conditions during Pregnancy: https://www.health.gov.au/
8. Park, J., Sohn, Y., White, A. R., & Lee, H. (2014). The safety of acupuncture during pregnancy: a systematic review. Acupunct Med, 32(3), 257-266. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2013-
Yin Fertility Acupuncturists
All of our acupuncturists at Yin are degree qualified and AHPRA registered. Our passion is hormonal health support (often referred to as ‘women’s health”). For many this is a focus on fertility and pregnancy, however, also includes menstrual conditions such as dysmenorrhea (painful periods), amenorrhea (an absence of the period), irregular cycles, endometriosis, PCOS, pelvic pain, migraines, PMS, PMDD to perimenopause and beyond.
Please give us a call if you’d like to know more
(0466 331 737) or book with one of our practitioners online.
