Wellness Wednesday: Featuring CCA
Olivia was interviewed by Jerry Olenyn of Chico Action News Now, and featured in the broad cast of Wellness Wednesdays on August 6, 2025.
Click on this link to watch the interview and see the original transcript
CHICO, Calif. — With a calming touch and a few carefully placed needles, Olivia Peters-Lazaro is helping Chico heal—one nap, and one patient, at a time.
Peters-Lazaro, a licensed acupuncturist and founder of Chico Community Acupuncture on Mangrove Avenue, sees about 150 people a week. And in that time, she’s heard every question about the ancient healing technique.
The most common? “Does acupuncture hurt?”
“A totally common question,” Peters-Lazaro said. “Generally speaking, no. It doesn’t hurt. I treat people in this community in a comfortable recliner, and people sleep for 20 minutes to an hour. They just zonk out. Occasionally, there’s a sensation when the needle goes in—because it’s a needle going into your skin—but generally, it’s not painful.”
Where are the needles placed?
“Points in the arms, the legs, and the head and ears—all over the body,” she said. “A typical treatment is about 15 needles, I would say.”
How does it work?
“In a nutshell, it puts you into your parasympathetic nervous system, which is your ‘rest and digest’ system,” she explained. “That’s so important for healing, especially with inflammation from chronic conditions.”
What can acupuncture treat?
“It’s very well known for treating pain in general,” Peters-Lazaro said. “Back pain is maybe the number one thing we treat here. There’s also a lot of internal disorders, like autoimmune conditions. It works really well for people going through cancer treatment.”
How effective is it?
“I’m going to say the majority of the people—90 percent—report significant improvement in their back pain,” she said.
Peters-Lazaro’s clinic operates on a sliding scale, with treatment costs ranging from $45 to $80. Discounts are available for patients who book three or more sessions.
With more people in Chico seeking alternatives for pain relief and overall wellness, Peters-Lazaro is happy to answer the questions—and even happier to offer a quiet place to rest and heal.
Jerry Olenyn
Jerry Olenyn is an award-winning news and sports reporter who has been a part of the North State for two decades. He is married with two adult children.
A graduate of the University of Southern California, he is an avid Trojan football fan. He enjoys vintage films and his musical tastes revolve around Jazz, R&B and Classic Rock.You can reach Jerry at jolenyn@actionnewsnow.com