Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a treatment approach that uses thin, sterile needles inserted at specific points in the body. It is commonly used to help reduce pain, ease tension, and support recovery as part of a care plan.

Acupuncture is used as a treatment option for people dealing with pain, tension, or movement-related symptoms that are affecting day-to-day function. 

Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points in the body, which may influence the nervous system and the body’s natural pain-relieving responses. Depending on your needs, treatment may help ease muscle tension, manage discomfort, and support movement.

During treatment, thin, sterile needles are usually left in place for a short period of time. They may also be gently stimulated by hand or with electrical stimulation, depending on the treatment approach and your clinician’s recommendation.

Acupuncture sessions often last between 15 and 30 minutes, though the timing may vary based on your treatment plan. 

People often seek acupuncture for symptoms involving pain, tension, inflammation, or irritation in the muscles and joints. It may be used to support care for concerns such as:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Sciatica
• Tendonitis
• Muscle strains
• Arthritis-related pain
• Rotator cuff irritation
• Tennis elbow
• Achilles tendon pain
• Plantar fasciitis

Treatment is based on an individual assessment, so the right approach depends on your symptoms, health history, goals, and how your condition is affecting your daily function. 

Acupuncture may be helpful for people whose pain, muscle tension, headaches, or movement-related discomfort are affecting daily activities, work, sleep, exercise, or overall quality of life.

It may also be considered when symptoms are limiting movement or making it harder to participate in other parts of rehabilitation, such as exercise, mobility work, or hands-on treatment.

The right approach depends on your assessment, health history, symptoms, and goals. Your clinician can help determine whether acupuncture may be appropriate on its own or as part of a broader treatment plan. 

Most people experience minimal discomfort during acupuncture. When a needle is inserted, you may feel a small pinch, dull ache, heaviness, warmth, or tingling. Some people feel very little.

Many people find treatment relaxing. After acupuncture, some people notice relief right away, while others feel changes over the next few hours or days. Mild soreness or temporary increase in symptoms can sometimes happen after treatment.  

Your clinician will explain what to expect and can adjust treatment if anything feels uncomfortable. 

Acupuncture may be used on its own or combined with other forms of care, including physiotherapy. When it is part of a broader treatment plan, it is often used to help manage symptoms, so you can participate more comfortably in movement, exercise, or rehabilitation.

For example, acupuncture may be used alongside education, therapeutic exercise, mobility work, hands-on treatment, or activity modification. This can help connect symptom relief with longer-term goals, such as improving function, returning to daily activities, or building confidence with movement.

Your clinician will recommend an approach based on your assessment, symptoms, and goals. 

Your first appointment may include a discussion about your symptoms, medical history, current concerns, treatment goals, and other information that may help guide care.

Your clinician will explain how acupuncture works, where the needles may be placed, what treatment may feel like, and how it may fit into your overall care plan. They will also review anything you should know before and after treatment.

Depending on your needs, your clinician may recommend acupuncture on its own or as part of a broader plan that includes other treatment strategies. They will also let you know whether more than one session may be recommended.