I’m Joseph Alban, a New York City-based Doctor of Acupuncture with over 20 years in practice. From arthritis and disc herniations to frozen shoulders and old sports injuries that never quite healed, I’ve helped people through all of it. I built my approach around what actually works: a personalized combination of acupuncture, electroacupuncture, cupping, gua sha, and tui na massage.
This approach didn’t come all at once. It’s the product of years spent combining clinical training, including a postgraduate rotation at Hunan University of TCM Hospital in Changsha, China, with what I learned directly in the clinic, seeing what actually helps, what doesn’t, and how to adjust when someone isn’t improving. Every patient I’ve treated has taught me something, and it’s been an honor to be part of so many people’s recovery.
How does acupuncture address pain?
Acupuncture addresses pain by helping the body heal itself. Rather than simply masking symptoms the way a painkiller does, it corrects underlying imbalances so the body can heal on its own, often leading to long-term improvement rather than temporary relief.
These imbalances relate to the body’s energy, called qi (pronounced “chee”), which travels through channels much like water flowing through a winding river. Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points along these channels to restore balance.
Research is beginning to explain how this happens physiologically. Functional MRI studies have shown that acupuncture interacts with the nervous system to help reset the brain when it’s stuck in an unhealthy pain pattern, essentially reteaching the body to be healthy.¹ Healing also appears to occur locally at the needle site, where surrounding tissue draws in and expands around the needle, a response some researchers believe triggers cellular repair.²
Acupuncture also stimulates the release of the body’s natural pain relievers, including opioids, while regulating the receptors that respond to them. Over time, this changes how the nervous system processes pain signals, contributing to relief that lasts well beyond the treatment session itself.
Explore Pain Conditions We Treat
Spine & Nerve Pain
Pain from the back and neck often stems from disc issues, nerve compression, or years of accumulated strain. I frequently treat chronic low back pain, lumbar disc herniation, sciatica, and neck pain, using acupuncture to relax the surrounding muscles, calm nerve-related inflammation, and restore mobility.
Shoulder Conditions
Shoulder pain can limit even basic daily movement, whether it stems from injury, overuse, or restricted range of motion. I treat frozen shoulder, rotator cuff injuries, and general shoulder pain using a combination of acupuncture and tui na to loosen tight tissue and restore function.
Joint & Inflammatory Pain
Arthritis and overuse injuries share a common thread: inflammation that limits movement and causes ongoing discomfort. I treat arthritis, knee pain, and tendonitis with acupuncture’s anti-inflammatory effects, easing pain while supporting the joint’s own healing process.
Specialized Pain Conditions
Some pain conditions require a more specialized, individualized approach than standard musculoskeletal treatment. I treat chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome, addressing both the physical tension and nervous system dysregulation that often underlie the condition, as well as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), where widespread joint instability calls for a gentler, more customized treatment plan that avoids over-stressing already fragile tissue.
- Napadow, V. Kettner N., Liu J. Et. al. Hypothalamus and Amygdala Response to Acupuncture Stimuli in Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. Pain. 2007; (130): 254-266.
- Langevin HM, Churchill DL, Wu J. Et. al. Evidence of Connective Tissue Involvement in Acupuncture. FASEB Journal. April 10, 2002. Published Online.
Feedback From our clients…
“I suffered from chronic neck pain for more than 4 yrs before being treated by Joseph Alban. As a registered Yoga teacher, I was looking for a treatment that did not involve a prescription medicine that treated only the symptom rather than the underlying cause of the problem. It was the first time I’d ever tried acupuncture and to my amazement Joe took the time to listen and answer any questions and concerns I had regarding my health. After several treatments I started to see results and after several months I was completely pain free! I highly recommend Alban’s acupuncture to anyone with chronic pain.”
~ M.B., New Jersey
Feedback From our clients…
Dr. Alban has been an essential part of maintaining my health and happiness for the past 6 years. From treating tendonitis in my knee (and helping me safely run over 6 marathons) to managing anxiety, gut/health issues and most recently treat and manage my long haul covid symptoms, I don’t know where I would be without his practice and compassionate approach to my treatment and overall wellbeing. Regularly coming to his practice has been a game changer for me.
C.P., NYC
I had knee replacement surgery three years ago, but I was still struggling with persistent pain, swelling, and limited range of motion despite trying various treatments. Nothing seemed to give me the relief I was hoping for. Since starting acupuncture with Dr. Alban, I’ve experienced remarkable improvement. My knee is significantly less swollen, the pain has decreased noticeably, and I’ve regained much more range of motion. These changes have made such a difference in my daily life and overall mobility. I recommend Dr. Alban to everyone I know – his expertise and treatment have truly helped me when other approaches fell short. If you’re dealing with chronic pain or recovery challenges, I can’t recommend him highly enough!
D.T., Upper West side
Shoulder pain had become a constant problem in my life, affecting not just my workouts and golf, but also my daily work. I’d tried various treatments, but it wasn’t until I sought out Dr. Alban’s acupuncture expertise that I found genuine relief. From our first session, Dr. Alban made me feel comfortable. He exhibited a deep understanding of my pain and its implications on my life. Remarkably, after just a few visits of acupuncture and cupping, the pain started diminishing. I owe my restored mobility and zest for life to Dr. Alban. His services come highly recommended for anyone seeking effective pain relief.
F.T.- Jersey City, NJ
Dr. Alban has been an essential part of maintaining my health and happiness for the past 6 years. From treating tendonitis in my knee (and helping me safely run over 6 marathons) to managing anxiety, gut/health issues and most recently treating and managing my long haul covid symptoms, I don’t know where I would be without his practice and compassionate approach to my treatment and overall wellbeing. Regularly coming to his practice has been a game changer for me.
C.P., New York City
I have always had back pain here or there. But when I started jogging last spring, I began to have an intensely sharp pain in my tailbone area. X-rays showed nothing wrong. I went to a chiropractor for six months. The pain subsided some, but it was still painful. I could barely sit for five minutes without saving to get up or adjust. I started going to Joe after a colleague highly recommended him. Within three sessions the pain was substantially subsiding. Besides that, I felt better overall – I slept better, I was more relaxed, and I just felt good. After seeing Joe for about five months or so, the pain is completely gone. I’ve even increased my jogging schedule, but the pain is still gone! He also taught me stretching exercises to maintain my healing and recommended I take tai chi for strengthening my lower back. On another note, when I had a horrible sinus infection, I went to him for treatment. I woke up the next day and was almost 100% better. One acupuncture treatment and some herbs did the trick. I have already recommended Joe to several colleagues and will continue to go to him for maintenance as long as I live here. He is the nicest, caring, and talented person – I wouldn’t go to anyone else.
P.C., Manhattan
I came to Alban Acupuncture a year ago. My major concern was chronic pain in my neck, back and shoulder. I tried physical therapy, chiropractor, massage and acupuncture without lasting results. After a few months of being treated by Joseph, my condition significantly improved. Presently I’m coming once a month to maintain a good shape. I think Joseph’s method is unique because he combines acupuncture with Chinese massage. Joseph is also helping me with many other problems like palpitations, low energy, stress, seasonal allergies, old knee injury, ankle sprain… Joseph gives a lot of attention to his patients. His approach is holistic. In the beginning of my visit I tell Joe my current complains and he is addressing them in the same session with my chronic neck/back problems. Overall experience from my visits ( I commute from Staten Island to get there!) is so positive that I’d definitely recommend Alban Acupuncture to my friends.
G.M., Staten Island