Aging Well & Pain-Free: How Acupuncture Supports Healthy Aging and Lasting Relief

Written by: Stefanie Vidal, M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM)

September is both Pain Awareness Month and Healthy Aging Month. Many of us start to notice aches and pains showing up more often as we get older. Maybe your back feels tight in the morning, your knees are slowing you down, or you’re just not bouncing back like you used to. You might even be wondering: Is this just part of getting older?

Here’s the truth—yes, our bodies change with time, but pain doesn’t have to be a permanent

part of that process.

At Pellegrino Healing Center, we work with people who want to feel better in their bodies, move more freely, and age in a way that feels empowered—not limited. That's why we offer acupuncture for healthy aging helping you reduce pain, improve mobility, and support long-term wellness.

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"You don't have to wait until something hurts to start acupuncture."

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5 Ways Acupuncture Supports Healthy Aging & Pain Relief

1. Acupuncture eases chronic pain and inflammation.

Acupuncture is well known for helping with pain, and there’s solid research to back it up. It

works by calming inflammation and encouraging your body to release natural pain-relieving

chemicals like endorphins. A study published in The Journal of Pain (Vickers et al., 2018) found acupuncture to be effective for long-term pain, especially for back pain, arthritis, neck pain, and headaches.

2. Acupuncture supports better mobility.

When joints feel stiff and achy, whether it’s your knees, hips, or shoulders, it’s easy to start

avoiding movement. However, movement is key to aging well as it keeps joints lubricated,

improves cardiovascular health, and helps with mood. Acupuncture supports mobility by

increasing circulation, relaxing muscles, and reducing tension so you can move more

comfortably and confidently.

3. Acupuncture helps with sleep, energy, and digestion.

People are often surprised by how acupuncture helps with more than just pain. It’s common to notice deeper sleep, better digestion, and steadier energy levels over time. All of these things support healthy aging, especially when we’re trying to avoid burnout or fatigue.

4. Acupuncture helps your nervous system regulate.

Chronic stress and pain often go hand in hand. Acupuncture taps into the parasympathetic

nervous system, your “rest and digest” mode, and helps your body shift out of the fight or flight sympathetic nervous system. Over time, this can reduce stress-related symptoms like jaw tension, insomnia, digestive issues, and muscle tightness. It also aids in hormone regulation.

5. It supports long-term wellness and prevention.

You don’t have to wait until something hurts to start acupuncture. In Chinese medicine,

prevention is part of the process. Regular care can help you stay ahead of flare-ups, manage

stress better, and feel more in tune with your body. When the body is in balance, this best

supports it to minimize the risk of cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease,

autoimmune issues, and other chronic conditions. Even if you do encounter them, acupuncture can help tremendously to support your system in managing the underlying issues.

Conditions We Often Support

Here are some of the most common conditions that we help support patients with when they are looking for pain relief and also with supporting chronic conditions as they age:

● Low back pain

● Sciatica

● Neck and shoulder tension

● Knee and hip arthritis

● Migraines and tension headaches

● Carpal tunnel syndrome

● TMJ and jaw pain

● Fibromyalgia

● Plantar fasciitis

● Post-surgical pain

These conditions can affect every part of life—how you sleep, work, move, and even connect with others. Acupuncture offers a gentle, drug-free way to support healing and restore balance.

What the Research Says

We always aim to combine tradition with evidence. Here are a few highlights from recent

studies:

● A 2021 study in JAMA found that acupuncture significantly improved pain and function

for older adults with knee arthritis.

● A 2017 Cochrane Review showed moderate evidence that acupuncture helps with

chronic low back pain.

● A meta-analysis in Neurological Research found acupuncture effective for reducing the

frequency and intensity of migraines.

These studies confirm what so many of our patients tell us: they feel better, move better, and

need less medication over time.

Nutrition Tips for Pain Relief & Aging Gracefully

In Chinese medicine, how we eat is just as important as how we move or rest. As we age, it

becomes even more important to support digestion and reduce inflammation.

Here are a few simple ways to do that:

● Favor warm, cooked meals—soups, stews, and steamed veggies are easier to digest

and help your body absorb nutrients.

● Cut back on sugar and dairy, which can create more inflammation and dampness in the

body.

● Add in anti-inflammatory foods like ginger, turmeric, leafy greens, berries, and salmon.

● Stay hydrated, especially if you’re waking up stiff or feeling dry. Warm herbal teas like

chamomile, nettle, or ginger are great options.

● Eat at regular times and slow down while eating. Rushed meals or skipping meals can

weaken digestion over time.

If you're interested in adding herbal medicine, ask your acupuncturist or our herbalist, Amber Merkens, about herbs and supplements that can support joint health, sleep, and overall vitality.

What to Expect from Treatment

Every acupuncture treatment at Pellegrino is tailored to you. We take the time to understand

your symptoms, health history, and lifestyle before creating a plan. Treatments are gentle,

deeply relaxing, and focused not just on relieving symptoms—but on supporting long-term

wellness.

If you're new to acupuncture or it’s been a while, you can expect to start with a series of weekly sessions. Most people begin noticing improvement within a few treatments—whether it's less pain, better sleep, or feeling more calm overall.

Ready to Feel Better?

Pain may be common, but it doesn’t have to be your normal. Whether you’re looking for support with a specific condition, want to avoid medication, or just want to feel stronger and more connected to your body, acupuncture can help.

We’d love to support you. Schedule your consultation or book your first appointment with one of our licensed acupuncturists at Pellegrino Healing Center today.

Start Your Acupuncture Journey Here