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Seven Medicine

Conditions

Start with what you're experiencing

Women's health is our primary specialty. We also see many patients for pain, migraines, neuropathy, stress, sleep and digestion — always as a complement to medical care.
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Women's health

Pain, nervous system & whole-body

Internal medicine & education

Cosmetic

Research

What the research says

We summarize the highest-quality research we can find — systematic reviews, Cochrane reviews, guidelines and large trials — including results that don't favor acupuncture. You deserve the full picture.

Reviewed October 2026. Research describes groups of people, not guarantees for any individual. Explore the research →

Chronic pain

The largest analysis to date pooled individual data from 39 high-quality trials and more than 20,000 patients with back, neck, joint, headache and shoulder pain. Acupuncture outperformed both sham acupuncture and no acupuncture; the advantage over sham was small, the advantage over usual care larger, and benefits largely persisted for up to a year. The authors concluded referral for acupuncture is a reasonable option for chronic pain.

2 sources
  1. [1]Vickers AJ, Vertosick EA, Lewith G, et al. Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis. J Pain. 2018;19(5):455-474. PubMed 29198932 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2017.11.005 (opens in a new tab)· individual patient data meta-analysis
  2. [2]MacPherson H, Vertosick EA, Foster NE, et al. The persistence of the effects of acupuncture after a course of treatment: a meta-analysis of patients with chronic pain. Pain. 2017;158(5):784-793. PubMed 27764035 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000747 (opens in a new tab)· individual patient data meta-analysis

Low back pain

The American College of Physicians' 2017 guideline lists acupuncture among the non-drug treatments to consider first for chronic low back pain. A 2020 Cochrane review found clear benefit versus no treatment, but only a small difference versus sham acupuncture. Expect a reasonable, guideline-endorsed option with modest benefit — not a cure.

2 sources
  1. [1]Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, McLean RM, et al. Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2017;166(7):514-530. PubMed 28192789 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.7326/M16-2367 (opens in a new tab)· clinical practice guideline
  2. [2]Mu J, Furlan AD, Lam WY, et al. Acupuncture for chronic nonspecific low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;12(12):CD013814. PubMed 33306198 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD013814 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review

Migraine prevention

A 2016 Cochrane review of 22 trials found acupuncture reduces how often migraines occur, appearing at least similarly effective to preventive medications with fewer side-effect dropouts. Its advantage over sham acupuncture was small.

1 source
  1. [1]Linde K, Allais G, Brinkhaus B, et al. Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;2016(6):CD001218. PubMed 27351677 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD001218.pub3 (opens in a new tab)· Cochrane systematic review

Anxiety

Reviews suggest acupuncture may reduce anxiety symptoms, with side effects similar to control treatments, and a 2026 meta-analysis of 12 trials reported a benefit. Study designs vary widely and high-quality sham-controlled evidence is limited. Best viewed as a complement to established anxiety care.

2 sources
  1. [1]Amorim D, Amado J, Brito I, et al. Acupuncture and electroacupuncture for anxiety disorders: A systematic review of the clinical research. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018;31:31-37. PubMed 29705474 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.01.008 (opens in a new tab)· systematic review
  2. [2]Wang D, Sun J, Chuan EY, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture for Anxiety Disorders in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Psychiatry Investig. 2026;23(8):963-975. PubMed 42613003 (opens in a new tab) · DOI 10.30773/pi.2025.0437 (opens in a new tab)· systematic review and meta-analysis

Initial consultation · 30 minutes

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Your first visit is a 30-minute consultation with Dr. Kristina Gacesa: your history, a TCM assessment, an AcuGraph baseline and a personalized recommendation with exact pricing. No treatment plan is required to book.

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Introductory rate · normally $249.99 · through Dec 31, 2026

If you continue: $159.99/visit, or $129.99/visit on a treatment plan.

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