How Acupuncture Changed My Life - and Career

by Dr. Suzanne Lange, L..Ac.

I had known about acupuncture from an early age, but I never imagined it would one day become my profession. That changed after a serious accident left me in constant pain for months with no real good solutions from western specialists except to say,

“ You may not regain the full function or use of your left arm "

What followed was a long and difficult journey of recovery - one marked with uncertainty, frustration, and moments of strong emotions.

Regular acupuncture treatments became a sort of lifeline through that journey. They not only helped manage the pain without long-term pharmaceutical use, but also offered something equally paramount : a safe space.

Sometimes that meant a place to cry; other times, to celebrate rehab milestones during a grueling two year recovery.

While physical therapy and other modalities played an essential role in my recovery, when I attended acupuncture sessions I felt my whole self was being treated, rather than just a body part. There was an emotional toll of living with pain, and acupuncture inherently saw these connections without me having to say a word.

A seed was planted during this period, one that did not show itself until years later.

Even after earning my doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, I couldn’t stop thinking about how powerful acupuncture has been for me - and how I wanted to strengthen my ability to support others going through similar experiences.

Enter the Whitfield Reaves Sports Medicine Apprenticeship.

Though I was already familiar with the profound effects of acupuncture, I wanted to sharpen my clinical skills and expand my background in myofascial and trigger point therapy, which I had practiced for over a decade as a massage therapist. Whitfield’s mentorship gave me a bridge between the bodywork I knew worked well and my new path as an orthopedic acupuncturist. With more than 50 years of clinical experience, he developed a system that was both precise and effective. His core principle -

“ Why over complicate when the solutions are readily available? "

Through this lens, I gained tools and confidence in treating musculoskeletal dysfunction and chronic pain. 

Besides the clinical experiences I have had and seen personally, science backs up acupuncture’s role in pain relief. Functional MRI studies have shown that acupuncture can modulate activity in the brain’s pain centers. It also appears to calm the nervous system, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue repair-all of which help explain its profound analgesic effects.

One of the most important studies to date was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in September 2012. This landmark meta-analysis included data from 29 randomized controlled trials and nearly 18,000 patients suffering from chronic pain conditions-specifically osteoarthritis, migraines, and persistent back, neck, and shoulder pain. The findings were clear: acupuncture offered significantly greater pain relief than either sham (where needles are placed on non-therapeutic locations) or no treatment at all. These results were consistent across all conditions treated.

While acupuncture is not a magic bullet, it can absolutely be a turning point-especially for those navigating long-term recovery or chronic pain. Its power relies on seeing and treating the whole person, not simply the symptoms one is experiencing.

Traditional East Asian Medicine includes a variety of systems and approaches for treating pain, all of which offer valid and meaningful therapeutic benefits. Whether it’s through the channel system, trigger point needling, scalp acupuncture, or gentle Japanese-style techniques, there are many paths to healing—and many ways acupuncture can support that process.

Looking back, that injury changed the course of my life. It introduced me to the power of this medicine not only as a patient, but as a practitioner. Now, I carry that experience into every treatment room, committed to helping others find relief, regain hope, and feel seen - just like I did.