Acupuncture & Nervous System Regulation

Root-Cause, Integrative Acupuncture for Pain, Injury, Hormones, Digestion, and Whole-Body Healing

Why Acupuncture Is a Foundational Therapy at Denver Sports & Holistic Medicine

At Denver Sports & Holistic Medicine, acupuncture is far more than a pain-relief technique—it is a powerful physiological reset. Using Traditional Chinese Medicine, electroacupuncture, functional medicine, and sports medicine principles, we restore balance to the nervous system and promote true, sustainable healing.

Modern research continues to confirm what TCM has understood for thousands of years:
When the nervous system regulates, the entire body heals more effectively.

Our Root-Cause Approach

We integrate acupuncture with functional medicine, herbal therapy, and sports medicine to address the deeper imbalances underlying pain and chronic symptoms.

Nervous System Regulation

Acupuncture shifts the body from fight-or-flight into rest-and-repair, stabilizing the autonomic nervous system and improving vagal tone.

Pain & Inflammation Modulation

By influencing inflammatory cytokines and improving microcirculation, acupuncture supports both acute and chronic pain relief.

Sports Medicine Integration

For structural pain or injury recovery, acupuncture enhances muscle activation, improves mobility, and accelerates tissue repair.

Hormone & Digestive Support

Acupuncture modulates neuroendocrine pathways, supporting balanced hormones, healthy digestion, and improved metabolic function.

How Acupuncture Promotes Whole-Body Healing

Acupuncture works by influencing the nervous, endocrine, immune, and circulatory systems. When these systems regulate, your physiology shifts into a state where healing becomes possible. This is why acupuncture may improve symptoms across multiple systems—not just the area where needles are placed.

Vagal nerve activation

Increases parasympathetic tone, reduces fight-or-flight signaling, and stabilizes the autonomic nervous system.

Improved circulation & microcirculation

Enhances oxygenation, nutrient delivery, and tissue repair.

Reduced inflammatory signaling

Modulates cytokines and supports natural inflammation resolution.

Endorphin and neuropeptide release

Reduces pain sensitivity and improves emotional resilience.

Neuromuscular re-education

Helps correct dysfunctional movement patterns and chronic muscle tension.

Common Conditions We Treat With Acupuncture 

Head Pain & Neurological Symptoms

• Headaches and migraines

• Facial pain and trigeminal neuralgia

• Neuropathy and neuralgia

• Post-stroke neurological symptoms

• Tinnitus, vertigo, and motion sickness

• Balance disorders

• Fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain

Musculoskeletal & Structural Conditions

• Neck, mid-back, and low-back pain

• Shoulder, hip, knee, and joint pain

• Sciatica and radiculopathy

• Degenerative disc conditions

• Sports injuries (acute and chronic)

• Overuse injuries and repetitive strain

• Tendonitis, bursitis, and ligament injuries

• Arthritis and chronic inflammatory pain

• Plantar fasciitis

• Carpal tunnel and nerve entrapment
  

Autoimmune & Inflammatory Conditions

• Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

• Sjögren’s syndrome

• Chronic inflammatory disorders

• Multiple sclerosis (symptom support)

• Immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation
  

Emotional Health & Nervous System Dysregulation

• Stress and chronic overwhelm

• Anxiety and emotional dysregulation

• Depression and low mood

• PTSD and trauma-related symptoms

• Sleep disturbances and insomnia

• Autonomic imbalance (sympathetic dominance)

Energy, Cardiovascular, & Autonomic Issues

• Chronic fatigue and low energy

• Dizziness and lightheadedness

• Poor stress tolerance

• POTS and dysautonomia

• Palpitations and heart rhythm sensitivity

• Hypertension and circulatory dysregulation

• Venous insufficiency and edema

• Preventive medicine for vitality and healthy aging

• Improved energy, stress resilience, and mitochondrial support

Metabolic Concerns

• Weight gain and metabolic resistance

• Blood sugar imbalance

• High insulin levels (hyperinsulinemia)

• Hypothyroid symptoms

• Cholesterol imbalance

• Type 2 diabetes

• Detoxification challenges and sluggish metabolism

Women’s Health & Hormonal Balance

• PMS and PMDD

• PCOS and anovulatory cycles

• Endometriosis

• Painful or irregular periods

• Perimenopause and menopausal symptoms

• Fertility support (natural, IVF, IUI)

• Pregnancy-related support

Digestive Health

• Heartburn and GERD

• IBS: constipation, diarrhea, bloating

• Slow motility or digestive stagnation

• Food sensitivities and reactive digestion

• Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

• Chronic inflammatory gut conditions

Immune & Respiratory Conditions

• Chronic sinusitis

• Allergies and seasonal sensitivities

• Asthma

• Chronic bronchitis

• Hives and MCAS

• Low immune function or repeated infections

Genitourinary Conditions

• Erectile dysfunction

• Pelvic congestion

• Chronic urinary irritation or recurring infections
  

Skin Conditions

• Eczema

• Psoriasis

• Acne

• Chronic hives or inflammatory skin symptoms

• Facial rejuvenation acupuncture for tone, circulation, and collagen support
  

Cancer Treatment Support

• Symptom relief during chemotherapy and radiation

• Fatigue and immune support

• Digestive and appetite support

• Pain and neuropathy management
  

Additional Therapies Within Your Acupuncture Sessions

To enhance treatment outcomes and support whole-body healing, your acupuncture sessions may also include one or more of the following integrative therapies:

Electroacupuncture

Gentle electrical microcurrents are applied between needles to improve neuromuscular activation, reduce inflammation, and accelerate tissue repair.\

Cupping

Creates negative pressure to release fascial restrictions, improve circulation, reduce pain, and support lymphatic flow.

Gua Sha

A scraping technique used to mobilize tissue, increase microcirculation, reduce adhesions, and calm localized inflammation.

Moxibustion

Targeted heat therapy that warms specific acupuncture points to improve circulation, strengthen immune function, and support digestive health.

Tui Na (Clinical Manual Therapy)

Chinese medical massage that addresses joint mobility, muscle tension, and soft-tissue dysfunction.

Dry Needling

Targeted needling of muscular trigger points to improve mobility, release chronic tension, and correct dysfunctional movement patterns.

Herbal Medicine & Clinical Nutraceuticals

Personalized formulas and supplements to support inflammation resolution, hormonal balance, detoxification, digestion, immunity, and nervous system regulation.

Nervous System Regulation Tools

Techniques to improve vagal tone, reduce sympathetic overdrive, and enhance relaxation and stress tolerance.

Red Light Therapy

Supports mitochondrial function, tissue healing, pain reduction, and inflammation resolution.

PEMF Therapy

Improves microcirculation, reduces pain, supports nervous system recovery, and enhances tissue regeneration.

Who Acupuncture Is Good For

Acupuncture is a highly adaptable therapy that supports individuals across a wide range of health concerns and goals. It is especially beneficial for:

Individuals with Chronic or Complex Pain

Those experiencing ongoing pain conditions, persistent tension, or injuries that have not resolved with conventional care.

People Experiencing High Stress or Autonomic Dysregulation

Including chronic stress, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, overwhelm, or difficulty shifting out of fight-or-flight.

Patients with Digestive, Hormonal, or Sleep-Related Symptoms

IBS, bloating, PMS, cycle irregularity, perimenopause, insomnia, and stress-related digestive imbalance.

Athletes Recovering from Injury or Improving Performance

Beneficial for tissue repair, mobility, neuromuscular activation, and faster recovery between training sessions.

Patients Seeking Non-Pharmaceutical Pain Relief

An effective option for those who cannot tolerate medications or prefer a natural, physiology-supportive approach.

Individuals Not Improving With Conventional Treatment

Those who have been told “everything looks normal” or who need a more comprehensive, root-cause strategy.

People Needing Improved Circulation, Recovery, or Resilience

Including those with fatigue, sluggish recovery, inflammatory tendencies, or dysautonomia.

Preventive Care & Long-Term Wellness Support

Acupuncture can be used as part of a proactive wellness plan to improve vitality, support aging, and maintain long-term balance.

How We Structure Acupuncture Treatment

Our process ensures that every treatment is precise, intentional, and aligned with your root-cause healing goals.

Step 1: Comprehensive Evaluation

We assess symptoms, lifestyle, movement patterns, and physiological contributors to understand the full picture.

Step 2: Personalized Treatment Plan

Your plan may include acupuncture, electroacupuncture, targeted manual therapy, functional medicine support, or corrective movement strategies.

Step 3: Acupuncture Sessions

Each session is adapted based on your progress, clinical findings, and nervous system response.

Step 4: Corrective & Functional Support

When appropriate, we integrate herbal medicine, nutraceutical therapy, functional lab testing, or movement interventions.

Step 5: Maintenance & Prevention

Once symptoms improve, we shift into long-term strategies that support resilience, recovery, and sustained well-being.

Begin Your Acupuncture Treatment

Acupuncture is a powerful therapy for regulating the nervous system, reducing pain, and restoring healthy function. With a precision, root-cause approach, we help your body heal efficiently and sustainably.

Explore Our

Functional Medicine Approach

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture stimulates specific points along the nervous system, vascular networks, and fascial planes to regulate physiological function. Needling activates neurochemical signaling, improves circulation, reduces inflammatory activity, and shifts the body into a parasympathetic (rest-and-repair) state.
This supports pain relief, hormonal balance, digestion, sleep, immune function, and overall homeostasis.

2. Is acupuncture painful?

Most patients feel little to no discomfort. The needles are extremely thin—about the width of a hair—and treatments are typically calming and deeply relaxing. Many people fall asleep during their session.

3. What conditions can acupuncture help treat?

Acupuncture is effective for both acute and chronic conditions, including:

• Musculoskeletal pain and injuries

• Headaches and migraines

• Anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbances

• Digestive disorders

• Hormone imbalances and menstrual concerns

• Fertility support

• Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions

• Neurological symptoms

• Long COVID and post-viral recovery

(See the full Conditions We Treat section above for expanded details.)

4. How many sessions will I need?

Treatment frequency depends on your goals and the nature of your condition:

• Acute pain or injuries: 1–2 sessions per week for several weeks

• Chronic conditions: Weekly or biweekly sessions

• Wellness or stress support: Monthly or seasonal maintenance

Your plan will be personalized and adjusted based on your progress.

5. What should I expect during my first visit?

Your first appointment includes a comprehensive intake followed by a customized acupuncture treatment.
Depending on your needs, your session may also include:

• Manual therapy

• Cupping

• Gua sha

• Electroacupuncture

• Nutraceutical or herbal recommendations

• 
  

6. Is acupuncture safe?

Yes. When provided by a licensed and nationally board-certified Doctor of Acupuncture, acupuncture is extremely safe. All needles are sterile, single-use, and disposed of immediately.

7. What is electroacupuncture, and when is it used?

Electroacupuncture uses gentle electrical microcurrents between needles to enhance therapeutic effects. It is especially effective for:

• Sports injuries

• Chronic pain

• Nerve entrapment

• Muscle inhibition or weakness

• Tendinopathy

It accelerates tissue repair, reduces inflammation, and improves neuromuscular activation.

8. Can acupuncture help with hormones and fertility?

Yes. Acupuncture regulates the HPA axis, improves pelvic and ovarian blood flow, supports ovulation, balances hormones, and reduces stress.
It is beneficial for:

• PMS and PMDD

• PCOS

• Irregular cycles

• Perimenopause and menopause

• Fertility support (natural, IVF, or IUI cycles)

9. Can acupuncture support detoxification and chronic illness recovery?

Yes. Acupuncture enhances lymphatic flow, improves microcirculation, strengthens vagal tone, and modulates immune activity.
It is commonly used to support recovery from:

• Mold toxicity

• Environmental exposures

• Chronic inflammatory conditions

• Post-viral and immune dysregulation

  
  

10. Can I receive acupuncture alongside other treatments?

Absolutely. Acupuncture integrates seamlessly with:

→ Nutrition and metabolic correction
→ Herbal medicine and clinical nutraceutical therapy
→ Detoxification and drainage support
→ Sports medicine and corrective exercise
→ Mitochondrial repair therapies
→ Hormone balance support

Most patients experience faster, more complete results when acupuncture is part of a comprehensive treatment plan.