HEALTH Women's Health October 19, 2025 0 Comments

She Dodged Surgery Thanks to One Unexpected Acupuncture Trick — Here’s How It Saved Her Wrist!

Ever wondered if tiny needles could kick your wrist pain to the curb without the drama of surgery? That’s exactly what happened to Daphne Uviller, a woman who almost gave up on life’s little joys like tennis because of relentless wrist agony. Over-the-counter meds, physical therapy, even injections—they all let her down. But just when she was gearing up for the knife, acupuncture stepped in like an unsung hero from Traditional Chinese Medicine, flipping her story from one of pain and frustration to strength and freedom. And here’s the kicker—it didn’t just end there. Acupuncture also lends a helping hand to menopause symptoms, soothing a whole different kind of storm. Curious? Let me take you through how this age-old practice transformed Daphne’s life and could just do the same for you. LEARN MORE

Years of wrist pain had ground Daphne Uviller’s active life to a halt—and nearly led to surgery. Over-the-counter remedies, prescription medications and even physical therapy failed to provide lasting relief. But the 53-year-old eventually found an unexpected fix: a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique known as acupuncture. Now, she’s pain-free and stronger than ever. Learn how acupuncture for wrist pain can offer long-term relief, plus how it eases menopause symptoms too.

Conventional pain relief treatment didn’t work

They’re having so much fun, thought Daphne as she drove by friends playing tennis. Filled with sorrow, Daphne longed to be out on the court, but unbearable wrist pain had forced her to hang up her tennis racket.

Five years ago, Daphne embarked on an adventure as a co-founder of Community Wardrobe, a nonprofit that serves as a boutique offering free clothes to people in need. She found herself carrying boxes, folding and hanging dozens of items and stocking shelves.

Would you try acupuncture to relieve pain?

But after a few weeks, she noticed that ordinary tasks like washing her hair sent shock waves of stabbing pain through her wrist. After trying to ease her wrist pain with over-the-counter medication, Daphne’s doctor sent her to physical therapy. When that failed, she received two rounds of cortisone injections that offered only temporary relief.

“Your MRI results show you need surgery to alleviate the pain—but there’s no guarantee it will be a permanent solution,” her doctor told her. Reluctantly, Daphne scheduled the procedure, hoping to reclaim mobility in her wrist. I might not play tennis again, but at least I won’t be in tears brushing my teeth, she thought.

Acupuncture for wrist pain helped her avoid surgery

Just days before her surgery, Daphne mentioned the procedure to her acupuncturist—whom she visited regularly to relieve stress—and showed her the MRI images. “You have inflammation in the tendons in your wrist—I believe acupuncture can help with your pain,” her acupuncturist explained.

Daphne was intrigued to learn that acupuncture stimulates the body to release natural pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory chemicals while also improving blood flow to support healing. This helps reduce inflammation and restore mobility naturally.

But what is acupuncture, exactly? It’s a traditional, holistic practice that involves inserting super-slim acupuncture needles into key acupuncture points on the body believed to help rebalance energy and manage pain conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, a common cause of wrist pain.

Hopeful, Daphne agreed to try one acupuncture treatment for her wrist and was shocked when she woke up pain-free for the first time in two years. Daphne scheduled another acupuncture session and postponed her surgery.

For five weeks, she received acupuncture twice a week, and her wrist pain became a thing of the past. “I can’t believe I was so close to having a surgery that wasn’t guaranteed to work,” Daphne said. “I’m so grateful to have found what feels like a miracle cure. I’m back to playing tennis every day. Nothing stops me now!”

How acupuncture eases menopause symptoms

Acupuncture isn’t just for pain relief—it also can help treat some of the most bothersome side effects of menopause. Here’s what it can do:

It soothes insomnia

A study published in the journal PLOS ONE found that acupuncture improved sleep quality for menopausal women with insomnia, helping them fall asleep faster, sleep more soundly and wake less often during the night. (Discover how much sleep you really need for your age.)

It curbs hot flashes

Research shows that acupuncture can dramatically reduce the number of daily hot flashes women experience—and lessen their intensity, too—by regulating the endocrine and nervous systems and helping balance hormones.

It lifts a blue mood

Researchers reporting in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry found that acupuncture eased symptoms of depression by affecting neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which play key roles in mood regulation.

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.