Pain is your body’s alarm system, warning you to step back from danger. But what happens when this protective system misfires and the alarm won’t turn off?
When pain signals persist for over three months, it becomes chronic. According to the UMCG (2026), chronic pain affects up to 1 in 5 people. In the Dutch population, that equates to over 3.2 million individuals. Understanding the root cause of pain and exploring complementary treatments like acupuncture is important.
What Causes Pain and How Does It Work?
Pain can come from acute injuries or even chronic conditions, such as arthritis, where receptors send signals through your nervous system to the brain. Acute pain can be a warning mechanism, indicating damage in our body. But chronic pain is when the central nervous system becomes overly sensitive to those pain warnings. Nervous system loses its ability to accurately filter sensations, misfiring pain signals even without active tissue damage.
Triggers for pain in chronic pain conditions can be as simple as stress, light, or sound. This continuous signalling impacts your overall quality of life. Conditions like fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and persistent headaches often fall into this category chronic pain.
Chronic pain conditions are significantly more prevalent in women
According to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) , in biological women pain is experienced more acutely, because the brain produces fewer pain-inhibiting endorphins compared to biological men.
Furthermore, biological factors like sex hormones and immune responses operate differently in women. Besides that a recent study highlighted by an article in The Guardian last week revealed that many clinical guidelines still rely on a “male by default” model. When female-specific biological factors are ignored, women receive less precise assessments and longer cycles of persistent pain.
Managing Pain: The TCM Perspective
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views pain as a stagnation of Qi (energy) and Blood. This blockage can result from physical trauma, emotional stress, congenital factors, poor posture at work, or even exposure to external pathogens like cold and dampness.
With the treatments I give with acupuncture in my clinic in Amsterdam I help with breaking this cycle of stagnation by:
Increasing Local Blood Flow: Micro-traumas from tiny needles stimulate pathways for tissue repair and blood circulation.
Releasing stress relieving signals to the brain: Needling triggers the central nervous system to release endorphins and serotonin to alleviate pain.
Relaxing Muscles and tension: Targeting “trigger points” (Ashi points) forces knotted muscle fibers to relax and release.
Electro-Acupuncture (EA): For severe conditions like hernias or severe arthritis, a pulsating electrical current is attached to the needles. This gentle tapping provides a deeper, continuous stimulation for a bigger healing boost.
Tips for Natural Pain Relief
While you should always consult your GP or specialist for advise when having chronic pain, you are capable of helping your body towards moving pain free. Here are a few ways to find relief:
Gentle Movement: Walking, swimming, or physical therapy improves blood flow, reduces stiffness, and slows pain progression.
Mind-Body Techniques: Practices like Qi Gong, meditation and acupuncture help to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and increase relaxation. GZ psycholoog/therapist who does Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help manage the stress and anxiety that intensify pain.
Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Fiber can help reduce inflammation. Eat plenty of beans, vegetables, and fruit. Add natural anti-inflammatory herbs like turmeric and ginger to your cooking, and stay hydrated with warm water to prevent pain flare-ups.
Ready to Move Without Pain? Reach out to me or book your acupuncture session today to start your tailored pain-management journey.
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