What do you do when your back hurts, or when your neck and shoulders get tight and sore? Acupuncture is a potent medicine for joint pain, muscle pain, and nerve pain that provides an immediate relaxing, anti-inflammatory effect in a way that other healing modalities can’t. A growing body of research shows that acupuncture is a potent medicine for joint pain, muscle pain, low back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis of the knee, as well as chronic conditions like fibromyalgia. But people often try it only after drugs, physical therapy, chiropractic, massage and aren’t yielding optimal results. In this episode, Licensed Acupuncturist and host Brodie Welch and Dr. Anthony Lombardi unpack why acupuncture should be your go-to treatment modality available for muscle and/or joint pain due to its ability to neuromodulate, returning the neuromuscular system to homeostasis: improving range of motion, strength, while reducing inflammation. On Today’s Episode of A Healthy Curiosity: How Dr. Lombardi’s journey to acupuncture began in chiropractic school What advantages he sees in acupuncture compared to chiropractic therapies What motor points are and how they overlap with acupuncture points Why a series of treatments is typically necessary for lasting change Dr. Anthony Lombardi is a 2002 graduate of the New York Chiropractic College and McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture program in Hamilton, Ontario, and has been practicing acupuncture for 19 years. Upon graduation, he founded Hamilton Back Clinic and since then has become a private consultant to athletes in the NFL, CFL, and NHL. Over the past 19 years Anthony has given over 100,000 acupuncture treatments. In addition to practicing, Dr. Lombardi was also an instructor in the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program at McMaster University from 2004 to 2013. He developed his EXSTORE® system, which he currently teaches along with motor points and electro-acupuncture, to physicians and practitioners the world over. He regularly writes and contributes articles on motor points in the Canadian Chiropractic and Chiropractic Economics magazines. Dr. Lombardi’s library continues to grow, with some 60 webinars available on a variety of MSK and pain conditions, as well as patient practice management topics. He holds live courses throughout the U.S. and Canada, and has a mentorship/education community on dranthonylombardi.locals.com. Links: Dr. Lombardi’s Webinars EXSTORE Certification Connect With Dr. Anthony Lombardi: Website Locals Profile Instagram Email -- For more of the science on how acupuncture works, check out episode 203.  Work with Brodie Enjoying the show?  Help support us and keep the show going with the tip jar!