Acupuncture for Back Pain and Sciatica in Denver
What brings people in with back pain
Low back pain, sudden or long-standing
Sciatica and pain that shoots down one leg
Herniated or bulging disc pain, alongside your doctor's care
Tight hips and glutes that keep the low back locked up
Upper and mid back pain between the shoulder blades
Strains from lifting, shoveling snow or a ski day
Back pain that keeps returning after physical therapy or adjustments
How acupuncture treats back pain
Back pain is rarely just a back problem. Tight hip flexors, weak glutes, guarded breathing and a stressed nervous system all keep the low back locked up. Acupuncture helps in four simple ways, and a 2018 analysis of 20,827 patients found it beat both sham and no acupuncture for back and neck pain, with the benefit still there a year later.
It releases muscle spasm
Back pain often begins with muscles that clamp down to guard an injured or overworked area and then fail to let go. Needles placed in the low back, hips and legs interrupt that guarding reflex and allow the muscle fibers to lengthen. As the tension resolves, range of motion returns and the back no longer has to brace.
It turns down the pain signal
Pain is not simply tissue damage. It is a signal your nervous system can amplify or quiet. Acupuncture stimulates nerve endings in a way that changes how the spinal cord and brain process pain, and it prompts the release of the body's own pain-relieving chemicals. The result is less pain even while the tissue is still healing.
It settles irritated nerves
Sciatica occurs when a nerve in the low back or buttock is compressed or inflamed, sending pain, tingling or numbness down the leg. I needle along the course of that nerve to reduce the surrounding muscle tension and inflammation. When the pain is stubborn, a gentle electrical current between two needles deepens the effect.
It improves circulation to injured tissue
Chronically tight muscles compress their own blood supply, leaving the area short of oxygen and slow to repair. Needling increases local circulation, which delivers what tissue needs to recover and clears the by-products of inflammation. Better blood flow also helps break the cycle of tension and pain.
What to expect
What to wear and bring
Wear loose, comfortable clothing, with a top that lets me reach your low back. Eat a light meal beforehand, and bring any imaging or notes from your doctor and a list of your medications.
Your first visit
Plan on 90 minutes. We go through your history, I watch how you move and check where the pain refers, and you get a full treatment the same day. I will tell you if you need imaging or a doctor first; numbness or weakness in a leg, or loss of bladder or bowel control, need a doctor right away.
What it feels like
Most people feel a brief tap and then a dull, heavy ache that fades in seconds. You rest on a heated table with fine needles for 25 to 30 minutes, and many people doze off.
How many visits
An acute strain usually settles in 1 to 3 visits. Sciatica from a disc takes about 10 visits over 4 weeks, and chronic low back pain often takes a course of 6 to 10, weekly at first and then spaced out. I give you an honest estimate at the first visit.
Add-ons that fit
For back pain I often add cupping across the low back, electroacupuncture when there is nerve pain, or Tuina for tight hips. A 90-minute follow-up leaves room for them.
Why choose The Subtle Point
One practitioner, every visit
You see me, Michael Sugiura, L.Ac., Dipl. TCM (NCCAOM), at every visit. I am a Colorado licensed acupuncturist and have treated patients since 2017, the year I became licensed.
A private room, no rush
Every treatment is one-on-one in a private room on a heated table. You stay dressed for most treatments, and the visit is long enough to talk through what is going on.
Five-star reviews
Patients have left more than 500 five-star reviews across Google, ClassPass and Groupon, and the clinic holds a 5.0 rating on Google.
Easy to reach
3600 South Beeler Street, Suite 150, in Hampden Town Center at Hampden Avenue and I-25, with free parking at the door. Open until 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
500+ five-star reviews across Google, ClassPass and Groupon
124 Five Star Reviews
Mike at subtle point is a pro! He has helped me numerous times deal with musculoskeletal pain in my back, legs, shoulder, neck and hands! He’s great at what he does and is very personable so I gladly give him five stars!
—Moe El Ali
247 Five Star Reviews
Michael was PERFECT! He asked a lot of questions about my pain and went to work on relieving it. The pain in my side that would wake me up every night for years has been gone for 4 days now thanks to the acupuncture. I also received such an amazing neck and head rub it made my toes tingle! I also noticed that I can go much deeper in my yoga poses after one treatment. Michael knows his work!
—Becky
146 Five Star Reviews
“Mike is so thorough and knowledgeable. Best acupuncture experience I have ever had. I will definitely be going back!”
“The owner Michael was super nice and very knowledgeable! I had a great experience!”
“This is the first time I’ve ever had acupuncture and cupping, and it was great. Definitely recommend.”
Prices
Payment
We accept cash, check, all major credit cards, and HSA/FSA cards. We don’t bill insurance directly, but we can provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Needles in the low back and glutes produce a dull, heavy ache that patients describe as a good hurt. It fades within seconds, and most people are deeply relaxed within a few minutes. If any point feels sharp, tell me and I will adjust or remove it.
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An acute strain usually settles in 1 to 3 visits. Sciatica from a disc takes about 10 visits over 4 weeks, and chronic low back pain often takes a course of 6 to 10. Frequency matters more than the total, so I front-load visits and then space them out.
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Acupuncture stimulates specific points with very fine needles. That signals the nervous system to release endorphins, increases local blood flow, calms the stress response and reduces inflammation. In Chinese medicine terms it restores smooth movement of qi and blood where it has stalled. I choose points from your symptoms, history, pulse and exam, so no two plans are identical.
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Acupuncture does not put the disc back, but it can ease the muscle spasm and nerve irritation that cause most of the pain, and a 2024 trial found 10 visits over 4 weeks cut sciatica leg pain. Any decision about injections or surgery is one for you and your doctor.
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Often both. I work alongside several chiropractors and physical therapists in southeast Denver and am glad to coordinate care.
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Book online at acusimple.com/access/4476, or call or text (720) 285-6251.
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I do not bill insurance directly, but I provide a superbill after each visit for you to submit. HSA and FSA cards are accepted, along with cash, check and all major cards.