How Acupuncture and Chiropractic Work Together at Performance Chiropractic

When pain keeps coming back, you don’t need another quick fix—you need a smarter approach. At Performance Chiropractic in Williamsburg, we’ve found that combining acupuncture with chiropractic care often produces results that surpass what either treatment can achieve alone.

Understanding the Synergy Between Acupuncture and Chiropractic

Both acupuncture and chiropractic care share a fundamental goal. As Dr. Daniel Shaye explains, “They have the same purpose: optimizing function of the nervous system and helping people either alleviate problems or optimize their functioning.”

While these treatments developed in different parts of the world through different traditions, they complement each other beautifully. Chiropractic adjustments address structural alignment and joint function. Acupuncture targets the nervous system’s regulatory abilities through precise needle placement. Together, they create a comprehensive approach to healing.

The role of energy flow and musculoskeletal alignment

Eastern medicine views acupuncture as removing energy blockages so your body functions at its full potential. Western science focuses on how acupuncture affects the nervous system, endocrine system, and blood flow. Chiropractic care addresses the neuro-musculoskeletal system, particularly spinal alignment and its impact on nerve function.

Benefits of Combining Treatment Techniques

Our patients see tremendous success with combined care, particularly for low back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Dr. Shaye notes that when combined care is indicated, this integrated approach often helps patients increase function and reduce pain quicker than single-modality treatment.

The combination proves especially effective for complex conditions like vertigo. Chiropractic adjustments address neck alignment and spatial orientation while acupuncture addresses the accompanying stress and anxiety. Together, the approaches may help address the full picture — resulting in a more successful, more lasting outcome.

Why Williamsburg Patients Choose Integrated Wellness Care

Both Dr. Shaye and Dr. Jaren Panick are certified by the Virginia Board of Medicine to perform acupuncture; and they communicate on every case. This means you receive consistent, expert care regardless of which doctor you see.

“We have patients who are afraid of needles, and we respect that,” Dr. Shaye acknowledges. “We enjoy discussing options and pathways to reach goals. When patients are open to a variety of options, we can just look into our ‘doctor bag’ and pull out the right tool or tools. Sometimes you might need more than one tool.”