Neoclassical Acupuncture
A precise approach to pain, tension & healing
Hands-on assessment. A clear understanding of anatomy. Often just a few needles — sometimes only one.
If you have only ever thought of acupuncture as mysterious “energy work,” this approach may feel very different. It works with the body’s physical systems — nerves, blood vessels, connective tissue, fascia, and circulation.
What is Neoclassical Acupuncture?
Neoclassical acupuncture is a results-oriented system developed by Dr. Slate Burris and now practiced in Europe, Mexico, and the United States. What makes it different is how the treatment begins. I do not start with a fixed recipe of points. I start with my hands.
Before placing a needle, I assess the body through palpation — feeling for tension, restriction, tenderness, and asymmetry. Within a few minutes I can identify what needs attention, then confirm whether the treatment is working as the body changes. The goal is not to use more needles. The goal is to use the right needle.
Every treatment is a loop of assess → treat → confirm — not a fixed prescription.
How does it work? In physical terms.
Traditional acupuncture is often described as “energy flow.” I prefer to explain it the way your body actually operates. A fine needle creates a small, targeted stimulus — and the body answers through real, measurable pathways.
One precisely placed needle engages several systems at once — no invisible forces required, just your own anatomy responding.
Calms the nervous system
Needle signals reach the spinal cord and brain, quieting pain signaling and releasing the body’s own pain-relieving substances.
Engages fascia & interstitium
A small mechanical signal travels through the connective-tissue network, easing tension and improving how tissue glides.
Improves circulation
Local vasodilators widen small vessels, bringing oxygen and nutrients in and clearing inflammatory byproducts out.
Supports fluid movement
By influencing pressure and muscle tone, treatment can reduce heaviness, swelling, and stagnation in an area.
Works with electrical signals
Your tissues carry measurable electrical properties. For stubborn cases I may add gentle electroacupuncture to shift a stuck pattern.
Precision replaces volume
Using fewer needles is only possible because of the palpation that comes first. When I can feel exactly where the restriction is — and feel when it releases — I don’t need to flood the body with points and hope. For most patients, less is genuinely more.
Trigger point release & dry needling
Neoclassical acupuncture is my foundation, but I treat the person in front of me, not a textbook. When a tight, knotted muscle is driving pain, I may add trigger point release — commonly known as dry needling. A fine needle goes into the taut band of muscle to release the knot, reduce guarding, and interrupt the pain cycle at its source.
Dry needling isn’t separate from acupuncture — it’s one focused application of it. It can be especially helpful for:
- Neck pain
- Shoulder tension
- Low back pain
- Hip tightness
- Sciatica-like pain
- Tension headaches
- Sports injuries
- Overuse injuries
Cupping for muscle & joint pain
I also use cupping frequently, especially for musculoskeletal pain. Gentle suction lifts and decompresses the tissue — increasing local blood flow, loosening tight fascia, and reducing muscle tension. Paired with acupuncture, deep-seated tension often responds faster than with either approach alone.
The temporary round marks aren’t bruises in the usual sense — they show where circulation was drawn to the surface, and they fade within a few days.
In a single visit, I may use
Who can it help?
People come to neoclassical acupuncture when they want care that is precise, efficient, and grounded in how the body works. This approach may help with:
- Back & neck pain
- Joint pain
- Muscle tension & stiffness
- Sports & overuse injuries
- Headaches & migraines
- Stress & anxiety
- Poor sleep
- Fertility support
- Nerve discomfort (incl. chemo-induced)
- Restricted mobility
Acupuncture is used here as a complement to your medical care, not a replacement for it — and individual results vary.
Frequently asked questions
How is it different from traditional acupuncture?
Traditional acupuncture often uses set point combinations and many needles. Neoclassical acupuncture uses hands-on assessment, fewer needles, and immediate feedback from the body — guided by what I feel in your tissues, not a fixed formula.
Does acupuncture hurt?
It shouldn’t feel sharp or unbearable, though it isn’t always sensation-free. You may feel a brief pinch, pressure, warmth, or a dull spreading ache — usually temporary and part of the therapeutic response. I always work within your tolerance.
How many needles will you use?
Usually only a few. Sometimes a single needle creates a noticeable change. The goal is the smallest number needed for a meaningful result — not as many as possible.
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
Yes — it uses the same fine needle and is best understood as one focused part of what acupuncture can do. Dry needling targets a specific tight muscle; full acupuncture can also address the nervous system, circulation, connective tissue, sleep, digestion, and more.
Do cupping marks hurt?
No. The marks are usually painless. They can look dramatic, but they typically fade within a few days.
Is acupuncture backed by science?
Research links acupuncture to measurable effects on the nervous system, pain signaling, circulation, connective tissue, and inflammation — as reviewed by the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). I use it in a grounded, anatomy-informed way and set honest expectations about what treatment can and cannot do.
Ready to begin?
Experience a precise, hands-on approach
If you’re dealing with pain, tension, stiffness, stress, poor sleep, or a body that feels stuck, let’s find out whether neoclassical acupuncture is a good fit.
Book your visit See all servicesAnna Volkova, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M. · Licensed Acupuncturist & Classical Herbalist