Finding Relief from Chronic Back Pain with Acupuncture: Christian’s Story

When Christian left the Marines after a serious back injury, he expected the pain to follow him for a while. He did not expect it to reshape daily life. Standing for even a few minutes became difficult, and he eventually had to leave a job because he could not remain on his feet. Years later, he says physical therapy, chiropractic care and medications had brought limited relief before he discovered Queen City Acupuncture—and a new way to manage chronic pain.

 Searching for Chronic Back Pain Relief Beyond Medication

“When I first got out, my back was really painful,” Christian says. “I couldn’t stand for more than five to 10 minutes. I had to keep sitting down.” His injury involved the L4 and L5 area of his lower back, and he says surgery to fuse the area was presented as one option. Otherwise, he understood that the pain might simply remain part of his life.

 Through the years, Christian says the VA sent him to physical therapy and chiropractic appointments. He was also prescribed medications, including gabapentin and hydrocodone. The side effects were difficult, he says, and he did not feel the medications improved the underlying problem. “It made me dizzy,” he says. “I thought, I can’t take this every day and function this way.”

 After moving to Matthews, NC, Christian learned that his neighbor, Garrett, practiced acupuncture at Queen City Acupuncture. He had always been curious about acupuncture. Garrett then shared another important detail: eligible veterans may be able to receive free community acupuncture care with VA authorization. “I didn’t know that,” Christian says.

 Trying Acupuncture for Chronic Back Pain

Christian did not expect one appointment to erase years of pain, but the first session gave him a reason to continue. “I didn’t immediately feel relief,” he says, “but after my first session I thought, ‘Hey, this could work,’ because it made sense that it would target the specific muscle.” He still had pain but noticed that he felt looser and could “forget about the pain” for a while after the visit.

 Christian’s care at Queen City Acupuncture has included acupuncture and electroacupuncture, along with therapies such as cupping and red light therapy when appropriate. He describes electroacupuncture as treatment that reaches deeply into the muscles bothering his lower back. “It helps strengthen the muscle and, at the same time, relax it if it’s tense,” he says.

 The difference he notices after an appointment is practical. “Every time I go in, I walk out feeling a lot looser, a lot better,” Christian says. “I can carry on the next few weeks until I go see him again.”

 A Treatment Plan That Changed Over Time

Christian’s treatment schedule was more frequent at the beginning. He recalls going about twice a week for the first couple of months, then dropping down to once a week. As his condition became more manageable, his visits moved to every three to four weeks. “The first few months really helped set me up for the program that I am following now,” he says.

 That progression has given Christian a treatment schedule tailored to his needs. He also appreciates that Garrett looks beyond the most painful spot. “Your back’s connected to the rest of your body,” Christian says. “It’s the hub for the rest of your body.” Garrett has also treated related tension and movement in Christian’s legs, neck, upper back and shoulders and taught him exercises he can do at home.

 His goal has not been to expect a longstanding structural injury to disappear, but to make life more manageable. “Looking at how I felt two, two-and-a-half years ago—or even three years ago before I started acupuncture—to now, it’s been a great improvement,” Christian says.

 Getting Back to Exercise, Family Time, and Daily Life

As his pain became easier to manage, Christian began returning to activities that had felt out of reach. “Because of this, I’ve been able to get back into the gym, walk more, and do the elliptical,” he says. He can also perform light leg and back exercises. Most importantly, pain is less likely to keep him from enjoying time with his children. “It’s still there, but it doesn’t bother me as much,” he says. “It’s a lot more manageable.”

 Christian also values understanding the “why” behind his care. “He’s done a good job explaining why your body heals and why these therapies work,” he says of Garrett. “I think he’s just a very knowledgeable person, expert in his craft, expert in what he does. And I trust him.”

 Acupuncture for Veterans and Others Living with Pain

Christian says that he wants other veterans to know that acupuncture may be worth asking about—especially if they feel they have exhausted familiar options. VA community care eligibility and authorization vary, so veterans should speak with their VA care team about available benefits and referral requirements. At Queen City Acupuncture in Matthews, NC, care is individualized and may include acupuncture, electroacupuncture and complementary therapies based on each person’s needs.

“It’s been a great blessing to see Garrett and get treated,” Christian says, “especially for something that’s been so chronic and always present in my life.” His experience has not been about finding a quick fix. It is about finding a sustainable, more natural way to support movement, function, and everyday activities.

Christian’s experience is personal, and results vary. Acupuncture is not a substitute for emergency care or medical advice. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional about whether acupuncture is appropriate for you.