Treatments

Acupuncture

Fine-needle therapy to help manage pain and support recovery, delivered by a trained clinician.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine, sterile, single-use needles into specific points on the body to help manage pain and support recovery. When offered as part of physiotherapy, it is used alongside exercise, manual therapy and education rather than on its own.

A thorough assessment is completed first to determine whether acupuncture is appropriate for you and how it fits into your overall plan of care.

Conditions we treat

  • Musculoskeletal pain
  • Neck and back pain
  • Muscle tension and tightness
  • Headaches
  • Joint pain
  • Sports-related pain

How can it help?

As part of a physiotherapy plan, acupuncture may help:

  • Manage musculoskeletal pain
  • Reduce muscle tension
  • Support relaxation
  • Complement exercise and manual therapy
  • Improve tolerance to rehabilitation

Acupuncture is most effective as one part of an individualized rehabilitation program.

What to expect

After an assessment, fine sterile needles are placed at selected points and left in place for a short time. Sensations are usually mild. Your physiotherapist monitors how you respond and combines it with the rest of your treatment plan.

Is it right for you?

Your clinician will review your medical history and determine whether acupuncture is safe and appropriate for you. It may not be suitable for everyone — for example, with certain bleeding disorders, needle phobia or active infection.

Frequently asked questions

Is acupuncture painful?

Most people feel only a mild sensation as the fine needles are inserted. Your clinician adjusts the treatment to your comfort.

How is it different from dry needling?

Both use fine needles, but acupuncture is rooted in traditional point-based systems while dry needling targets muscles and trigger points based on modern anatomy. Your clinician will recommend what suits your situation.

Is it used on its own?

As part of physiotherapy here, acupuncture complements exercise, manual therapy and education rather than being a stand-alone treatment.

Selected references

  1. Vickers AJ, et al. Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis. The Journal of Pain. 2018.
  2. Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group. Reviews on acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain conditions.
  3. College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. Standards and guidance relating to controlled acts and acupuncture.

The information on this page is general and educational, and is not a substitute for an individual assessment or medical advice. Suitability for any treatment is determined by your physiotherapist.

Related services

Treatments

Dry Needling

Thin sterile needles targeting trigger points to relieve muscular pain and restore movement — evidence-based, not acupuncture.

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Treatments

Manual Therapy

Hands-on joint and soft-tissue techniques to ease pain, restore movement and support your recovery.

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TMJ Management

Specialized physiotherapy for jaw pain, clicking and dysfunction — restoring comfortable movement and function.

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