When Pain Becomes Part of Everyday Life

Chronic pain rarely affects only the body.

It changes how you move through your day.
How you sleep.
How you think about your future.

You may have tried medications, physical therapy, injections, or other treatments. Some helped temporarily. Others did very little.

Over time, the pain can begin to affect your mood, your focus, and your energy.

At Green Door Vitality & Wellness in downtown Raleigh, I work with people whose pain has become persistent, complicated, or resistant to conventional treatment.

My approach integrates psychiatry and acupuncture to address both the physical and nervous system aspects of chronic pain.

Pain is not only a structural issue. It is also a nervous system experience.

Situations Where This Approach May Help

People often seek this work when:

• Chronic pain persists despite multiple treatments
• Pain medications provide limited relief or create unwanted side effects
• Migraines or nerve pain flare under stress
• Old injuries never fully healed or keep reactivating
• Physical pain worsens during emotionally stressful periods
• Pain has begun affecting sleep, mood, or daily functioning

Chronic pain often involves both the identified physical area and underlying neurological processes. Treating only one part of the system rarely resolves the whole problem.

What Begins to Improve

When both the nervous system and the affected areas of the body are addressed together, people often notice:

• Reduced intensity or frequency of pain flares
• Faster recovery after flare-ups
• Improved sleep and deeper physical relaxation
• Less tension and guarding in the body
• Greater ability to stay active without triggering severe symptoms

The goal is not simply masking pain.

The goal is to improve blood flow to the affected areas so your body's natural healing mechanisms can function more effectively.

A Different Approach to Chronic Pain

Many pain treatments focus exclusively on either physical structures or narcotic medications.

My approach combines both medical and nervous system perspectives.

Treatment may include:

• Targeted acupuncture to increase blood flow to injured, painful areas and support tissue recovery
• Nervous system regulation through auricular acupuncture
• Psychiatric evaluation of how stress, trauma, or emotional strain may be amplifying pain signals
• Careful, minimal medication management when appropriate
• Specialized treatment for migraines, including identifying nervous system and lifestyle triggers

Acupuncture often produces a noticeable shift in physical tension during the session. Many individuals report their muscles relaxing, their breathing slowing, and their pain easing while the nervous system settles.

From a Western perspective, acupuncture increases circulation, oxygenation, and endogenous opioid activity.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, it restores the flow of qi and systemic balance.

In practice, both explanations help describe why it can support pain relief.

What to Expect

Your first appointment is a 60-minute psychiatric evaluation.

We review:

• Your pain history
• Previous treatments
• Current medications
• Physical and emotional contributors to pain

From there, we develop a plan that may include acupuncture, medication guidance, or psychotherapy support depending on your symptoms.

Sessions typically last 55–60 minutes.

Many people benefit from weekly treatment initially, particularly when pain is active or severe.

Between sessions, you may text my business line if needed. A 24-hour cancellation policy applies.

All services are provided in person at Green Door Vitality & Wellness in downtown Raleigh.

Who This Service Is Well-Suited For

This approach often works well for individuals who:

• Have chronic or recurring pain that has not responded fully to conventional care
• Have side effects or incomplete relief with pain medication
• Prefer non-narcotic approaches to pain management
• Experience pain that worsens with stress or emotional strain
• Are seeking a physician who integrates acupuncture and psychiatry
• Want a thoughtful, conservative medication approach

I work with adolescents (13+) and older adults experiencing a wide range of chronic pain conditions.

Fees & Logistics

• Restorative Individual Acupuncture: 55 minutes – $180
• Psychiatric Medication Management (with acupuncture): 60 minutes – $280
  
  

Not in network with insurance.

Services are provided in person in downtown Raleigh, NC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can acupuncture really help chronic pain?
Research and clinical experience suggest acupuncture can improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, and activate the body’s natural pain-relief mechanisms.  Notably, medications that block opiates (naloxone) have been shown to block the pain-relieving effects of acupuncture.  

Do I have to stop my current medical treatments?
No. Acupuncture and psychiatric care can often complement other treatments. Coordination with your existing providers can occur when appropriate.

What if I’ve already tried many treatments without success?
Many individuals who come here have already explored multiple approaches and are feeling frustrated and hopeless about their symptoms. The goal here is to address both physical and nervous system contributors to pain.

How many sessions does it take to see results?
This varies depending on the condition and how long the pain has been present. Some people notice changes quickly, while others require consistent treatment over time.

Living with chronic pain can slowly narrow the world around you.

Improvement does not always require aggressive intervention. Sometimes the body needs the right conditions to begin recalibrating.

If you are exploring new options, it is reasonable to ask questions before deciding.

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