“How Acupuncture and Physical Therapy Helped Anna Walk Without Back Pain Again”
When Anna, a 41-year-old accountant from Brooklyn, first came to our clinic, she had been living with lower back pain and radiating leg discomfort for over 6 months. Daily life was becoming difficult—getting up in the morning hurt, sitting at work was unbearable, and she started avoiding family walks in Prospect Park.
She had tried pain medications and basic stretching videos, but nothing worked long-term.
After a full evaluation with our physical therapist and acupuncturist, Anna was diagnosed with:
Lumbar disc bulge at L4-L5
Nerve compression causing sciatica down the left leg
Tight hamstrings, poor core activation, and postural imbalance
She was hesitant about invasive treatments and eager to explore holistic care.
We designed a personalized treatment plan combining:
Acupuncture (2x/week) to calm the inflamed sciatic nerve and release lower back muscle tension
Manual therapy + cupping to improve circulation and loosen fascial tightness
Core-stability physical therapy exercises to strengthen her spine and correct her posture
Ergonomic coaching for her desk setup
Week 1–2:
Pain level reduced from 8/10 to 5/10 after just 4 acupuncture sessions
Anna was able to sleep through the night again
She reported less numbness in her left leg
Week 3–5:
PT exercises upgraded to include bird-dogs and bridges
Posture improved noticeably at work
Anna began walking 20–30 minutes without needing to stop
Week 6–8:
Pain-free days increased to 5 out of 7
Anna resumed yoga classes with modifications
She no longer needed ibuprofen daily
By week 10, Anna reported her pain was a “1 out of 10—only after sitting too long”. She continued monthly acupuncture sessions and followed a home exercise plan to stay strong and mobile.
“I thought back pain was something I’d have to live with forever. But the combination of acupuncture and PT gave me my freedom back—and I feel stronger than I did before the pain started.” — Anna M.
If you’ve been struggling with back pain and don’t know where to start, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to live in pain. Our integrative team can help build a plan that’s gentle, effective, and personalized.