What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the older tools in our treatment kit, rooted in traditional East Asian medicine but now widely supported by modern research for specific uses — particularly headache relief, where the evidence is genuinely strong. It involves inserting very fine, sterile needles at specific points on the body to relieve pain and support the body's own healing processes.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
The needles are inserted only a few millimetres deep, which causes mild discomfort at most, not sharp pain. What's happening beneath the surface is better understood now than it once was: acupuncture stimulates the nervous system to release endorphins, the body's natural pain-relieving chemicals, which is part of why patients often feel real relief rather than a placebo effect alone.
What acupuncture may help with :
- Migraines and headaches
- Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
- Menopausal symptoms
- Sleep disorders
- Stress, anxiety, and low mood
- General fatigue and low energy
- Sinusitis and rhinitis
Acupuncture can be used alongside other physiotherapy approaches when appropriate, helping create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and functional goals.
What to expect at your visit?
Your first session starts with a conversation about what you're hoping to address, followed by needle placement at the relevant points. Most people rest for 15–20 minutes with the needles in place. It's common to feel deeply relaxed afterward — some patients describe it as the most restful part of their week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients feel only mild discomfort on insertion, if anything at all. It's a very different sensation from a typical needle or injection.
This varies by condition — some patients feel benefit after one session, while chronic issues like ongoing headaches usually need a short course to see lasting change.
Source: According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, acupuncture has the strongest evidence base for chronic pain conditions, including headaches and osteoarthritis.
Take the next step.
Our Scott Road clinic welcomes patients from Guildford, Newton, Scott Road, and North Delta for personalized occupational therapy focused on their individual functional goals. Book online or call 778-590-4243.
