— Acupuncture · Geneva & Veyrier —
Chronic pain: fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraines, tendinitis
Pain that has lasted for months, widespread pain all over the body, stiff and swollen fingers, recurring migraines, tennis elbow, hands that tingle at night: acupuncture, Tui-Na massage and moxibustion can help relieve pain and make daily life more comfortable, alongside your doctor’s care.
✓ RME & ASCA recognised · May be covered by complementary insurance, depending on your policy · First appointment within 48h
Does this sound like you?
Living with pain that won’t go away
The pain has been there for months, sometimes years. Some days it’s bearable; on others it takes over everything. It wakes you at night and gets worse when it’s cold, or when you’re tired or stressed. You’ve learned to anticipate it: you avoid certain movements, turn down invitations and plan your days around it.
You’ve already seen several doctors, had tests, tried painkillers, anti-inflammatories and physiotherapy. Some treatments helped for a while. But the pain comes back, and with it the fatigue, the light sleep, the irritability, and sometimes the feeling that the people around you don’t understand.
Pain that lasts ends up affecting your whole life: work, sport, relationships, mood. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and there are ways to feel more comfortable again.
The chronic pain we work on
These are the situations we see most often in the practice. Every pain is different, so every treatment is tailored to you.
Fibromyalgia
Widespread pain, chronic fatigue
“I hurt everywhere, I wake up more tired than when I went to bed, and I’m told my test results are normal.”
Arthritis in the hands
Stiff fingers, thumb base arthritis
“My fingers are stiff and swollen in the morning. Opening a jar or turning a key has become painful.”
Migraines and headaches
Migraine, chronic headache
“Several attacks a month, light hurts my eyes, and I have to lie down in the dark until it passes.”
Tennis elbow
Lateral epicondylitis, elbow tendinitis
“The outside of my elbow hurts when I lift a cup or shake someone’s hand.”
Carpal tunnel
Tingling, numb hands
“I wake up at night with numb fingers. I have to shake my hand to get the feeling back.”
Jaw pain
Teeth grinding, TMJ, clenching
“I grind my teeth at night, my jaw hurts when I wake up, sometimes up to my temples.”
More back, neck, shoulder, knee or hip pain? Back pain → · Neck and shoulders → · Shoulder, knee, hip →
Understanding
Why does pain become chronic?
Pain is called chronic when it lasts more than three months. Several factors often keep it going at the same time:
- a physical cause that persists: arthritis, tendinitis that doesn’t heal, a compressed nerve as in carpal tunnel;
- a nervous system that has become more sensitive: over time, the body “learns” the pain and reacts more strongly to things that didn’t hurt before;
- lack of sleep: you sleep badly because you’re in pain, and you hurt more because you sleep badly;
- stress and fatigue: they increase muscle tension and lower your ability to cope with pain;
- lack of movement: for fear of pain, you move less, and your muscles weaken and stiffen.
In Chinese medicine, lasting pain is a sign that energy and blood no longer flow freely: “where there is blockage, there is pain”. Cold, damp, fatigue and emotions make this blockage worse. The aim of treatment is to work on both the pain and what keeps it going, to help you break that cycle.
My approach
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine for chronic pain
In my practice, I take the time to understand your pain as a whole: where it is, what makes it worse, how you sleep, your stress and fatigue levels. Depending on your needs, several techniques are combined in the same session at no extra cost.
Acupuncture
Fine, sterile, single-use needles placed on points chosen from your assessment, to ease pain, release tension and support more restful sleep.
Tui-Na massage
A therapeutic massage adapted to your sensitivity: gentler for widespread pain, deeper for tendinitis or localised tension.
Moxibustion & cupping
The gentle warmth of moxa is especially welcome for arthritis and pain that gets worse in the cold. Cupping relaxes tight muscles.
How it works
Your care, step by step
01
The assessment
A first consultation of 60 to 75 min: the history of your pain, treatments already tried, sleep, stress, fatigue, and your doctor’s tests and diagnosis.
02
The first treatment
You receive a treatment adapted to your sensitivity from the very first session, and leave with a few simple tips for everyday life.
03
Follow-up
Sessions of 50 to 60 min, adjusted as you progress. We review things together, honestly, after a few sessions.
First consultation CHF 144 · Follow-up CHF 120 · Discovery Pack 3 sessions CHF 350. See all prices →
Everyday tips
How to live better with pain before your session
Move a little every day
A gentle walk, a few movements within a comfortable range: regular movement looks after the body better than complete rest.
Protect your sleep
Regular hours, a cool and dark bedroom, no screens before bed. Better sleep often makes pain easier to bear.
Use heat
A hot water bottle or a warm bath relaxes stiff joints and tight muscles. Wrap up warm when it’s cold and damp.
Important
When to see a doctor first
Acupuncture complements conventional medicine; it does not replace it. See your doctor promptly if your pain comes with:
- a sudden, very severe headache that is unusual for you, or a headache with fever, a stiff neck, or problems with vision or speech;
- a red, hot, swollen joint, or a fever;
- weakness in the hand, dropping objects, or wasting of the muscles at the base of the thumb;
- unexplained weight loss or unusual fatigue;
- pain that does not ease with rest, especially at night;
- a history of cancer.
In an emergency, call 144.
FAQ
Your questions about chronic pain
What is chronic pain?
Pain is called chronic when it lasts more than three months, whether it is constant or keeps coming back. It often affects sleep, mood and energy, which is why I treat it as a whole and not only where it hurts.
Can acupuncture help with fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia calls for an all-round approach. Many people come to have less pain, sleep better and get some energy back. Sessions are adapted to your sensitivity, with few needles at first if needed, and fit alongside your doctor’s care.
Should I come during a migraine attack?
It’s generally better to come between attacks, to work on what tends to trigger them: stress, sleep, neck tension and, for women, the menstrual cycle. If an attack starts on the day of your session, call me and we’ll adapt together.
Can I keep taking my medication?
Yes. Acupuncture is added to your treatment; it does not replace it. Never stop or change a medication, especially a long-term treatment, without your doctor’s advice.
I’m very sensitive to pain. Do the needles hurt?
The needles are very fine, much finer than a blood-test needle. If you are very sensitive, I start with few needles and gentle stimulation, or with massage and warmth. We go at your pace.
How many sessions will I need?
Long-standing pain usually needs longer follow-up than recent pain. We often start with closer sessions, then space them out as you improve. We review regularly, with no commitment beyond what is useful.
Are sessions covered by insurance?
Treatments are recognised by complementary insurers approved by ASCA and RME, as well as by international insurance providers. Please check your coverage with your insurer. A solidarity rate can also be offered, in complete confidence.
Stop planning your days around pain
Fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraines or tendinitis that won’t settle: book your first session online, or call me if you have a question. I will tell you honestly whether I can help.
✓ RME & ASCA recognised · 76 rue de Carouge, Geneva & 97 chemin des Rasses, Veyrier