By Rikke Waagnes | BSc (Hons) Acupuncture | Wilmslow, Cheshire
12 October 2026
Stiff back? Shoulders up by your ears? Neck refusing to turn?
Good news. Acupuncture has a few tricks up its sleeve — and some fascinating science behind them.
From stimulating your body’s natural pain-relieving mechanisms to influencing how your nervous system processes discomfort, acupuncture does considerably more than simply target a tight muscle.
And after 15+ years treating patients, I’ve learned one thing: where you feel pain isn’t always where the problem begins.
So, what’s actually happening when those tiny needles go in? And why might acupuncture help when stretching and massage alone haven’t done the trick?
Let’s get into it!
Our muscles are designed to contract, relax and move. Unfortunately, modern life encourages them to do a little too much of the first!
The usual suspects:
Stress: Your nervous system can keep muscles on high alert.
Desk jobs: Hours of sitting can contribute to stiffness and discomfort.
Repetitive movements: Work, exercise and everyday activities can overload certain muscles.
Old injuries: Your body may develop protective movement patterns.
Poor sleep: Pain and disturbed sleep can become a frustrating cycle.
Here’s the interesting part: When pain persists, your nervous system can become increasingly sensitive.
Think of a car alarm that goes off every time a leaf lands on the bonnet.
The alarm works perfectly well. It’s just become a little overenthusiastic!
This is why simply stretching a tight muscle doesn’t always solve the problem.
Sometimes we need to address how the nervous system processes pain, not just where the pain is felt.
Acupuncture isn’t simply about putting needles into tight muscles.
Those incredibly fine needles stimulate sensory nerves, activating a range of physiological responses.
Here’s what research suggests acupuncture can do:
✓ Activate natural pain-relieving mechanisms
Acupuncture influences chemicals involved in pain regulation, including the body’s own endogenous opioid systems.
✓ Influence pain signals
Needle stimulation can affect how pain signals are processed in the spinal cord and brain.
✓ Encourage local tissue responses
Acupuncture can influence local blood flow and biochemical signalling around the stimulated area.
✓ Support relaxation
Many patients experience deep relaxation during treatment. Research is continuing into acupuncture’s effects on the autonomic nervous
system.
The goal? Less pain, easier movement and getting back to doing what you enjoy.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has approached pain through an individualised framework for centuries.
One of its best-known principles is:
“Where there is stagnation, there is pain.”
In TCM, Qi describes vital functional activity, while meridians provide a traditional framework for understanding patterns throughout the body.
For example:
Lower back pain: May involve the Bladder and Kidney meridian systems.
Shoulder tension: Often involves the Gallbladder, Small Intestine or Triple Burner meridians.
Stress-related muscular tension: May be interpreted through patterns involving Liver Qi stagnation.
These are traditional diagnostic concepts rather than anatomical structures established by modern science.
As a TCM acupuncturist, I consider these patterns alongside your symptoms, movement and medical history.
Because two people with the same back pain don’t necessarily need the same treatment.
Ever noticed your shoulders creeping towards your ears during a stressful day?
That’s your nervous system at work!
Stress can influence:
Muscle tension, particularly around the neck and shoulders.
Breathing patterns.
Sleep quality.
Pain sensitivity.
Recovery from physical strain.
When we’re stressed, our bodies can remain in a heightened state of alertness.
Acupuncture may influence aspects of the body’s stress response, although research into these mechanisms is ongoing.
And sometimes, simply lying comfortably while those shoulders finally relax is a welcome change!
After more than 15 years practising acupuncture, one thing has become very clear to me:
The place where you feel pain isn’t always the whole story.
Someone might come in with tight shoulders, but during the consultation we discover they’re also sleeping poorly, experiencing considerable stress or spending long hours in one position.
Another person may have persistent lower back discomfort following an old injury.
The symptoms might sound similar, but the underlying factors can be quite different.
That’s why I don’t believe in simply treating the painful spot and sending everyone home with the same acupuncture points.
I look at the bigger picture:
Where is the discomfort? And what movements make it worse?
How long has it been there? Recent injuries and persistent pain require different considerations.
What’s happening elsewhere? Sleep, stress, workload and previous injuries matter.
How is your body responding? Muscle tension, mobility and individual TCM patterns help guide treatment.
My aim is to understand what’s contributing to your discomfort and develop a treatment approach suited to you.
Good acupuncture isn’t about using more needles. It’s about choosing the right approach for the individual.
Acupuncture has been studied extensively for chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Research suggests it can provide benefits for some people experiencing persistent lower back pain.
✓ Large clinical studies
An analysis involving more than 20,000 participants found acupuncture performed better than both no acupuncture and sham acupuncture for several chronic pain conditions.
✓ Pain and physical function
Some studies have reported improvements in pain intensity and everyday function in people with chronic lower back pain.
✓ A non-drug treatment option
The American College of Physicians includes acupuncture among its recommended non-drug options for chronic lower back pain.
However, guidelines differ. The UK’s NICE guideline does not currently recommend acupuncture for lower back pain or sciatica.
The takeaway? Acupuncture has substantial research behind it, particularly for certain persistent pain conditions, although results vary between individuals.
Sometimes one technique is enough. Sometimes a combination makes sense.
Depending on your symptoms, I may incorporate:
ACUPUNCTURE
Stimulates selected points to influence pain regulation and address individual patterns of discomfort.
CUPPING THERAPY
Uses controlled suction to gently lift superficial tissues.
Some patients find cupping particularly pleasant for muscular tightness, although evidence for its effectiveness remains limited.
MASSAGE
Works directly with muscles and surrounding soft tissues to encourage relaxation and ease tension.
Combining techniques allows me to tailor your appointment, although more treatments don’t automatically mean better results.
The treatment should fit the patient, not the other way around.
Never tried acupuncture?
Don’t worry. It’s considerably less dramatic than you might imagine!
Your appointment includes:
A consultation: We discuss your symptoms, medical history and treatment goals.
An assessment: I consider your movement, muscular tension and relevant TCM patterns.
Your treatment: Fine, sterile, single-use needles are placed at carefully selected points. Cupping or massage may also be incorporated when appropriate.
Time to relax: Many patients find this part surprisingly enjoyable!
A personalised plan: We discuss your response and whether further treatment may be beneficial.
Not every back or shoulder problem is caused by muscular tension.
Seek medical assessment for unexplained or worsening symptoms, significant injuries, or new weakness or neurological changes.
Back pain accompanied by new bladder or bowel dysfunction or numbness around the saddle area requires emergency assessment.
Acupuncture should never delay necessary medical investigation or treatment.
I’m Rikke Waagnes, a BSc (Hons) qualified acupuncturist with over 15 years of clinical experience.
I grew up surrounded by Traditional Chinese Medicine and come from a family of acupuncturists.
Alongside my four-year acupuncture degree, I’ve undertaken additional training in sports acupuncture, pain management and specialist acupuncture techniques.
At my Wilmslow clinic, I offer:
Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture
Acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain
Cupping therapy
Therapeutic massage
Individualised treatment plans
I also practise in Antibes on the French Riviera.
Ready to Give Your Back and Shoulders Some Attention?
Whether you’re struggling with persistent lower back discomfort, recurring shoulder tension or simply want to explore whether acupuncture could help, you’re welcome to book an appointment.
Waagnes Acupuncture | Wilmslow, Cheshire
BSc (Hons) Acupuncture • 15+ Years of Experience
Acupuncture and Lower Back Pain — National Institutes of Health
Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety — National Institutes of Health
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture-effectiveness-and-safety
This article provides general information and does not replace individual medical advice. Treatment responses vary.