Pain is a signal, not a lifestyle. Whether you are dealing with an acute sports injury, a herniated disc, or the chronic structural tension that comes from modern life, living in pain depletes your energy and limits your mobility.
At Brooklyn Qi, we practice Orthopedic Acupuncture and Medical Bodywork. This is not general relaxation therapy. We integrate Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern anatomy to target specific points. Our goal is to reset dysfunctional muscle firing patterns, release myofascial restrictions, and down-regulate the nervous system's pain receptors to restore your full range of motion.
Targeted treatments for structural and systemic pain:
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Chronic Illness & Systemic Pain
Neuro-immune support for autoimmune flare-ups, Long Covid, and chronic systemic conditions that resist standard treatment.
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Back, Neck & Sciatica
Relaxing the musculature around decompressed nerves and restoring range of motion of a healthy spine.
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Sports Medicine & Injury Recovery
Accelerating cellular repair and restoring proprioception for athletes and active bodies.
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Tui Na & Medical Bodywork
Structural realignment using traditional Chinese orthopedic massage and myofascial release.
Common Questions
How is orthopedic acupuncture different from regular acupuncture?
Orthopedic acupuncture targets specific anatomical structures — muscles, tendons, fascial planes, and nerve pathways — rather than using generalized point prescriptions. At Brooklyn Qi, treatment is informed by a functional movement assessment and integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern anatomy to reset dysfunctional muscle firing patterns and release myofascial restrictions at their source.
Can acupuncture help with a herniated disc or sciatica?
Yes. Acupuncture and medical bodywork can reduce the inflammatory response around the affected disc, release the surrounding paraspinal musculature, and down-regulate the pain signals traveling along the sciatic nerve. While acupuncture does not structurally reposition a herniated disc, it can significantly reduce pain, restore mobility, and in many cases reduce the need for surgical intervention.
How many sessions will I need?
Acute injuries — recent strains, sprains, or post-surgical recovery — typically respond within 4 to 6 sessions. Chronic conditions that have been present for months or years generally require a longer initial course of 8 to 12 sessions before plateauing at a maintenance frequency. Liz will give you a realistic clinical timeline at your first appointment based on your specific presentation.
Do you work with athletes?
Yes. Sports medicine acupuncture at Brooklyn Qi focuses on accelerating cellular repair, restoring proprioception, and correcting the compensatory movement patterns that often develop after injury. Treatment is coordinated with your training schedule to minimize downtime and support performance recovery.
Can acupuncture help with Long Covid or autoimmune conditions?
Long Covid and autoimmune conditions share a common thread — a dysregulated nervous system and persistent systemic inflammation. Acupuncture has documented effects on vagal nerve tone and inflammatory cytokine regulation, both of which are relevant to these presentations. Treatment is supportive and integrative, not curative, and works best as part of a broader care team.
Do you accept insurance for pain treatment?
Some insurance plans cover acupuncture for pain conditions, particularly since the 2020 Medicare expansion for chronic low back pain. Brooklyn Qi provides superbills for out-of-network reimbursement. Check the Insurance & Fees page for full details or call to discuss your specific plan.
Serving Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Windsor Terrace, Cobble Hill, Gowanus, Fort Greene, and neighboring Brooklyn communities.