The Role of Acupuncture in Pain Management at Denville Medical
Acupuncture is often misunderstood. Some people see it as a fringe treatment, while others view it as a general wellness service. At Denville Medical, an experienced medical center in Denville, NJ, acupuncture is used as part of a coordinated care plan with pain management, physical therapy, and chiropractic care when it fits the patient’s condition.
What Acupuncture Does for Pain
Acupuncture uses very fine needles placed at specific points on the body. The goal is to help calm pain signals, reduce muscle tension, and support the body’s natural recovery process. It is not a cure-all, and it does not replace medical treatment.
Research has shown that acupuncture can stimulate the nervous system, support endorphin release, and help reduce local inflammation. For patients dealing with chronic pain, nerve irritation, or tight muscles that have not improved enough with other care alone, acupuncture can give the treatment team another useful option.
It can also be helpful for patients who want to limit long-term reliance on pain medication when possible.
How Acupuncture Fits Into a Broader Care Plan
At Denville Medical, acupuncture is not handled separately from the rest of the practice. Our acupuncturists work in the same facility as our pain management physician, physical therapists, and chiropractors. That makes communication easier when more than one provider is involved in a patient’s care.
This is different from going to a standalone acupuncture clinic where the provider may not have access to the full medical picture. Here, acupuncture is used when it supports the treatment plan already being built for the patient.
A patient working with Dr. Chinweike Izeogu, M.D., our board-certified pain medicine specialist, may have acupuncture added at certain points in the care plan. The timing depends on the diagnosis, symptoms, and the patient’s response.
The Conditions We Treat With Acupuncture
Back pain is one of the most common reasons patients receive acupuncture. This includes chronic lower back pain, sciatica, and pain connected to lumbar disc issues. Many patients do best when acupuncture is combined with physical therapy and other care.
Neck pain and headaches that begin in the neck can respond well to. Patients recovering from whiplash or dealing with long-term cervical tension may find that acupuncture helps reduce pain and tightness.
Shoulder and knee pain are also treated with acupuncture when appropriate. This may include frozen shoulder, rotator cuff-related pain, and joint pain during recovery after surgery.
Acupuncture may also help with nerve-related symptoms such as tingling, burning, or radiating pain. It does not fix the structural cause of nerve compression, but it may help reduce pain intensity while the underlying issue is being evaluated and treated.
Our Acupuncture Team
Denville Medical has three licensed acupuncturists on staff. Zelene Quiles is a long-tenured licensed acupuncturist with experience treating musculoskeletal pain and related conditions. Taylor Langer, L.Ac., works closely with the clinical team on shared patient cases.
Lauren Barrett is NCCAOM Board Certified as a Diplomate of Chinese Herbal Medicine, a national professional standard for acupuncture and herbal medicine practice in the United States. She also holds an ART designation.
Having multiple licensed acupuncturists on site allows patients to receive acupuncture as a real part of their care plan, not as an afterthought.
What to Expect at an Acupuncture Visit
The first visit begins with a review of your symptoms, treatment history, and any notes or imaging connected to your condition. The acupuncturist looks at your case in the context of your larger care plan, not as an isolated treatment.
Most patients tolerate acupuncture well. Some describe the feeling as light pressure, a dull ache, or warmth near the needle site. Sessions usually last 30 to 60 minutes.
Some patients notice less muscle tension or lower pain levels within the first few visits. The full treatment plan depends on the condition being treated and on the patient’s response.
Schedule Acupuncture at Denville Medical
Acupuncture is available at Denville Medical in Denville, NJ. We serve patients from Morris County, including Rockaway, Randolph, Parsippany, and Mountain Lakes.
No outside referral is needed to schedule. To ask whether acupuncture may be appropriate for your condition, visit our contact page or call (973) 627-7888.
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