“I’ve had this pain for years. Is it even worth trying?” “I’ve seen everyone. I don’t expect miracles.” “My friend recommended you, but I don’t really know why I’m here.”

I’ve heard this (and much, much more) when new clients first see me in clinic.

When pain’s been part of your life for a long time, it starts to shape everything - how you move, how you sleep, how much you expect from your body. It’s not just pain anymore. It’s a pattern.

But no matter how long a pattern’s been there, with the right approach, even old patterns shift.

Meet Judy*

*** Not her real name**

Judy came to see me after decades of pain. Pain in her neck, back and the nerves at the base of her spine. She’d had years of spinal surgery, nerve impingement, mesh complications. Her body had been through a lot. So when Judy came into see me, she wasn’t expecting much.

We started slowly. Just a few points. Just enough to signal safety to her nervous system - “You don’t have to hold so tightly anymore.” After her first session, she messaged me:

“That was the best sleep I’ve had in months. I don’t even know if it did anything to the pain, but I feel more like myself.”

So that’s where we began.

Pain that sticks around isn’t always about damage

Sometimes, the original pain or injury has healed - but the nervous system hasn’t caught up. It’s still in protection mode, still holding tension, still guarding. That’s where acupuncture comes in. Not as a magic fix. Not to erase the years. But to offer your body a new conversation. One that says:

You’re safe now. You can let go - bit by bit. You can change.

So… is it too late?

Not at all. But we travel gently. Together, you and I observe, discover and work with your whole system. And we listen closely - because your body remembers everything, and you deserve to be treated with patience, respect and care. If you’ve been living with pain for a long time, you don’t need to tough it out alone. There’s still room for change. There’s still room for ease.

We start small and see what shifts

Healing doesn’t usually happen all at once - it begins with a small shift. If you’re living with pain, I recommend seeing me for one to three sessions. It gives your body a chance to respond, and gives us both something to work with.

After that, we check in together and decide what’s next: no pressure, just honest progress.