Burnaby Physiotherapy Techniques
Acupuncture Therapy
Techniques
Acupuncture Therapy in Burnaby - EastWest Physiotherapy
At EastWest Physiotherapy in Burnaby, our skilled physiotherapists may incorporate Acupuncture Therapy as part of your personalized treatment plan. By carefully inserting thin, sterile needles into specific areas of the body, acupuncture can help treat pain, decrease inflammation, release muscle tension, regulate the nervous system, and improve your overall health.
Acupuncture treatment also triggers the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin, helping your body heal more efficiently. Many of our clients benefit from acupuncture for conditions involving inflammation, including osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and muscle or ligament strains and sprains.
It’s not Voodoo! Acupuncture therapy has been around for 4000 years and has solid medical research and can be effective for a variety of medical conditions. Many patients have reported the various benefits of Acupuncture treatments, from reducing muscle tension to increasing energy and improving their overall health.
If appropriate, your Physiotherapist will discuss whether acupuncture may be helpful for your condition during your assessment.
What Is Acupuncture Therapy?
Acupuncture Therapy has been developed in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is based on stimulating specific acupuncture points along pathways known as meridians. When these meridians become blocked or imbalanced, pain or dysfunction can occur. Chronic blockages of these meridians can lead to chronic pain and discomfort.
By activating these points, acupuncture helps restore the free flow of qi and blood throughout the body, allowing tissues to recover and return to a balanced state.
From a Western rehabilitation perspective, acupuncture influences the nervous system by stimulating nerve points, improves blood flow, reduces muscle tension, and helps regulate inflammatory responses – making it a valuable and complementary tool to other physiotherapy treatments. Acupuncture treatment also helps to release endorphins in the body, which can reduce the sensation of pain.
Conditions Acupuncture Therapy Helps
Acupuncture is a highly effective treatment for:
- Muscle tension and chronic tightness
- Headaches and migraines
- Tendonitis and overuse injuries (i.e. achilles tendonitis, golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow)
- Osteoarthritis-related pain
- Nerve Pain (i.e. sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Neck and low back pain
- Ankle and Knee Pain
- Ligament sprains and muscle strains
- Postural discomfort
- Sciatica and nerve-related pain
- Sports injuries
- Decreasing swelling
- Stress-related tension
- Improving circulation
- Soft tissue injuries from motor vehicle accident
- Fibromyalgia
- Improving focus
- Chronic Pain
- Acute Pain
Scalp Acupuncture Therapy
Scalp Acupuncture, also known as Head Acupuncture, is a modern and highly specialized form of acupuncture that blends Western neuroanatomy with Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. Instead of using purely traditional meridian points, needles are placed along regions of the scalp that correspond to functional areas of the brain.
Stimulating these regions can influence movement, balance, sensation, vision, speech, and other neurological functions.
Our Burnaby Physiotherapists were fortunate to learn directly from Dr. Jason Jishun Hao, one of the earliest practitioners trained by the founders of Scalp Acupuncture in China, including Dr. Jiao Shun-Fa. This advanced training helps us deliver precise and effective scalp acupuncture treatments.
What Scalp Acupuncture Helps
Scalp Acupuncture can be particularly helpful for clients recovering from:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, sound/light sensitivity, memory issues, difficulty speaking, and widespread pain.
Neurological Conditions
Stroke
Paralysis
Spinal cord injuries
Parkinson’s disease
What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?
If you haven’t tried acupuncture before, you may be wondering what the experience is like.
Acupuncture needles are extremely thin, much smaller than medical syringes, making insertion minimally painful or not noticeable at all for most people. Depending on the area being treated, your Physiotherapist will choose needles of different lengths and thicknesses. High quality sterile acupuncture needles are used in our practice, making the treatment comfortable and effective.
When a needle reaches an acupuncture point, you may feel:
- A deep, dull ache
- A cramping sensation
- A brief muscle twitch
- A heavy sensation
These sensations are normal and usually fade quickly. Your Physiotherapist may gently stimulate the needles to enhance the therapeutic effect of each point. This may temporarily increase those above effects.
Most clients report feeling relaxed during acupuncture and often notice reduced pain, improved mobility, or decreased muscle tension afterward.
What to Expect During Your Treatment
- A full physical examination and review of your medical history to determine whether acupuncture is appropriate
- Explanation of how acupuncture may help your specific condition
- Gentle insertion of thin needles into targeted, specific points
- Integration with manual therapy, cupping, or exercise-based rehab as appropriate
- A calming treatment environment to support your recovery
- A personalized plan to help you continue improving after your session
Why Choose EastWest Physiotherapy for Acupuncture Therapy?
You should consider seeing a physiotherapist if your back pain:
- True one-to-one physiotherapy sessions - no overlapping clients. Our therapists will focus on one client at a time.
- Private treatment rooms always, no curtained rooms, ensuring comfort and confidentiality in a truly healing atmosphere.
- Integrative approach using Eastern and Western techniques for optimal results
- Evidence-based physiotherapy care blended with acupuncture, cupping, and modern rehab techniques
- Experienced Burnaby Physiotherapists trained in both traditional and scalp acupuncture
- Advanced training from leaders in Scalp Acupuncture including Dr. Jason Hao
- Convenient location near Brentwood, North Burnaby, Willingdon Park, and Highway 1
- Direct Billing to insurers, ICBC, WorkSafeBC
- English, Cantonese, and Mandarin spoken
Frequently Asked Questions
Does acupuncture hurt?
Because acupuncture involves fine needles, most people may feel only a small prick, or nothing at all, when the needle is inserted. When the needle stimulates the desired nerve point, sensations like heaviness, warmth, and/or dull ache are normal and fade quickly.
Is acupuncture safe?
Yes. When performed by trained professionals, acupuncture is a very safe and effective treatment. We use sterile, single-use needles and dispose of them after treatment. Please notify your Physiotherapist if you are pregnant or have any other medical conditions as there are some considerations to take to start acupuncture treatment.
How many sessions will I need?
Some clients experience relief immediately, while others may notice gradual improvement over several sessions depending on the condition. A typical course of treatment is between 4-6 sessions. Your Physiotherapist will assess and adjust the course of treatment as necessary.
Can acupuncture be combined with physiotherapy?
Yes. At EastWest Physiotherapy, acupuncture is often paired with other techniques such as manual therapy, exercise therapy, and other physiotherapy techniques to enhance results.
Do I need to prepare for an Acupuncture session? And what should I do after treatment?
Have a small light meal before the session (don’t do the buffet!). After the session, rest if you feel tired. Drink plenty of water. This allows your body to heal properly.
Book Your One-to-One Physiotherapy Session
Interested in trying acupuncture as part of your physiotherapy treatment? Our Physiotherapists Mike Wong and Elizabeth Ng, are certified through the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute (now Acupuncture Canada).