Acupuncture in Burnaby & Vancouver
Evidence-informed acupuncture for pain management, stress, sleep, and recovery. ICBC and extended health coverage accepted.
Acupuncture at Phoenix Rehab
Acupuncture is a therapeutic practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has been used for thousands of years to restore balance and promote healing. By inserting fine, sterile needles at specific points in the body, acupuncture stimulates circulation, releases muscle tension, and supports the body's natural ability to heal.
Modern research has shown that acupuncture can:
- Reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair
- Release endorphins to naturally relieve pain
- Calm the nervous system and reduce stress
- Improve energy flow and circulation
Our Burnaby clinic offers acupuncture alongside physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, kinesiology, and counselling in one location. If another part of your recovery needs attention, your acupuncturist can coordinate with the right practitioner here in the clinic.
Registered Acupuncturists (R.Ac / Dr.TCM)
Regulated by the College of TCM Practitioners of BC
Traditional Wisdom, Modern Care
Evidence-informed TCM combined with clinical expertise
Direct Billing for ICBC, MSP & Insurers
Seamless coverage for motor vehicle accidents and benefits
What Conditions Does Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture is safe and effective for a wide range of conditions โ from acute pain to chronic wellness concerns.
Pain Relief
Chronic back pain, neck stiffness, shoulder tension, knee and joint pain โ safely eased with targeted needling. Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins (your body's natural painkillers) and reduces inflammation at the source, providing relief that builds with each session.
Sports Injuries
Faster recovery from strains, sprains, and overuse injuries through improved circulation and reduced inflammation. Acupuncture can accelerate tissue healing, reduce muscle spasm, and restore range of motion โ helping athletes return to training sooner.
Motor Vehicle Accidents (ICBC)
Pain and tension management following car accidents โ direct billed to ICBC. Acupuncture is particularly effective for whiplash-related neck pain, muscle guarding, and the tension patterns that develop after a collision, complementing other rehabilitation therapies.
Headaches & Migraines
Reducing both the frequency and severity of tension headaches and migraines. Research supports acupuncture as an effective treatment for chronic headaches, with many patients experiencing significant reduction in headache days after a course of treatment.
Stress, Anxiety & Sleep Issues
Calming the nervous system and promoting restful sleep for improved mental well-being. Acupuncture activates the parasympathetic nervous system โ lowering cortisol, reducing muscle tension, and creating deep relaxation that many patients describe as profoundly calming.
Women's Health
Menstrual discomfort, fertility support, pregnancy care, and menopause symptom management. TCM has a long history of supporting women's health, and modern research supports acupuncture for menstrual pain reduction, fertility optimization, and pregnancy-related nausea and back pain.
Digestive Issues
Bloating, irritable bowel symptoms, and stomach discomfort addressed through TCM principles. Acupuncture can help regulate digestive motility, reduce inflammation in the gut, and address the stress component that often underlies chronic digestive complaints.
General Wellness
Boosting energy, improving circulation, and maintaining overall balance for preventive care. Many patients use regular acupuncture sessions as part of their wellness routine โ not to treat a specific condition, but to maintain optimal health, manage stress, and prevent future problems.
What Techniques Are Used in Acupuncture?
Our acupuncturists tailor each session to your unique needs โ often combining traditional acupuncture with complementary TCM therapies for enhanced and lasting results.
Registered Acupuncturists & TCM Practitioners
R.Ac / R.TCM.P / Dr.TCM
Core Needling & Stimulation
Acupuncture
Precise needle placement at targeted points to restore balance, reduce pain, and promote the body's natural healing response.
Electro-Acupuncture
Gentle electrical stimulation through acupuncture needles to accelerate tissue healing and enhance treatment effects.
Traditional TCM Therapies
Tui Na (Chinese Medical Massage)
Therapeutic massage techniques to relieve pain, improve circulation, and restore musculoskeletal balance.
Cupping Therapy
Suction therapy that increases circulation, releases muscle tension, and supports natural detoxification.
Gua Sha (Scraping)
A scraping technique that promotes healthy blood flow and relieves chronic muscle tightness and stagnation.
Moxibustion
Heat therapy using dried moxa herbs to warm meridians, stimulate energy flow, and support deep healing.
Specialized Care
Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture
Treating specific reflex points on the ear to influence the whole body โ effective for stress, addiction, and pain.
Women's Health Support
Treatments for menstrual health, fertility, pregnancy care, and menopause symptoms.
Stress & Anxiety Care
Acupuncture techniques designed to calm the nervous system, improve sleep quality, and reduce emotional tension.
Relaxation & Breathing Guidance
Supporting stress reduction and mindfulness alongside hands-on treatment for a complete healing experience.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
A gentle, step-by-step process designed to help you heal, relax, and feel better โ at your own pace.
Initial Assessment & Consultation
Your first session begins with a thorough health intake using both modern clinical assessment and traditional TCM diagnosis methods (pulse reading, tongue examination, health history). Your acupuncturist identifies the root patterns behind your symptoms and explains how acupuncture and complementary TCM therapies can help you achieve your goals.
Your Acupuncture Sessions
Fine, sterile, single-use needles are inserted at carefully selected points based on your diagnosis. Many patients describe the experience as deeply calming โ most people relax or even fall asleep during treatment. Your acupuncturist may also include cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, or electro-acupuncture when beneficial for your specific condition.
Ongoing Care & Wellness Support
As your condition improves, your acupuncturist adjusts your treatment plan โ modifying point selection, reducing frequency, and transitioning you toward maintenance care. Between sessions, you receive self-care strategies including dietary guidance, lifestyle recommendations, and practices rooted in TCM principles to support your healing at home.
What Should You Expect in an Acupuncture Session?
Session Details
Initial sessions typically last 60โ75 minutes to allow time for a full health intake and your first treatment. Your acupuncturist will explain every step of the process before beginning, so there are no surprises.
Follow-up sessions are typically 45โ60 minutes. Your acupuncturist reassesses your condition at each visit and adjusts the treatment plan based on how you are responding.
The needles used are extremely fine (much thinner than injection needles) and most patients feel only a mild sensation โ a slight tingling, warmth, or gentle pressure โ followed by deep relaxation. Many people fall asleep during treatment.
Many patients notice improvement after the first 2โ3 sessions, with the most significant results building cumulatively over a course of treatment. For acute conditions, improvement may come faster; for chronic issues, consistent treatment over several weeks produces the best outcomes.
All sessions are conducted in a warm, calm, and private treatment environment. Your acupuncturist will check in throughout the session to ensure your comfort and adjust treatment as needed.
Who Can Benefit from Acupuncture?
Acupuncture helps a remarkably wide range of people and conditions. Whether you are managing pain, recovering from injury, or simply looking to feel better overall, acupuncture provides natural support for your body's healing processes. Here are some of the people we commonly help.
People Living with Chronic Pain
If you have been dealing with persistent back pain, neck stiffness, shoulder tension, knee pain, or other musculoskeletal complaints that have not fully responded to other treatments, acupuncture offers a different approach. By addressing pain at both the local tissue level and the nervous system level, acupuncture can provide relief when other methods have plateaued.
Motor Vehicle Accident Survivors (ICBC)
Acupuncture is a covered benefit under ICBC accident claims and is particularly effective for whiplash, neck and back pain, headaches, and the widespread muscle tension that follows a collision. We direct-bill ICBC for all approved treatment.
People Managing Stress & Anxiety
Acupuncture activates the parasympathetic nervous system, producing a deep state of calm that many patients describe as profoundly restorative. Regular sessions can help reduce chronic stress, improve sleep quality, and support emotional well-being alongside counselling or other supports.
Women at Every Life Stage
From menstrual pain and PMS to fertility support, pregnancy care, and menopause symptom management, acupuncture has a long tradition of supporting women's health. Modern research supports its effectiveness for menstrual regulation, morning sickness, labor preparation, and hot flash reduction.
Athletes & Active Individuals
Acupuncture accelerates recovery from training, reduces muscle soreness, and can help resolve stubborn injuries that have not responded to conventional rehabilitation alone. Many athletes use regular acupuncture as part of their performance optimization routine.
Anyone Seeking Preventive Wellness
You do not need a specific condition to benefit from acupuncture. Many patients use regular sessions for stress management, energy optimization, immune support, and overall well-being. In TCM philosophy, preventive care โ treating imbalances before they become symptoms โ is considered the highest form of medicine.
How Long Does Acupuncture Take to Work?
The length and frequency of acupuncture treatment depends on your specific condition, how long it has been present, and your overall health. Here is a general guide to help set expectations.
Sessions 1โ3: Assessment & Initial Response
Your acupuncturist performs a thorough TCM assessment and begins treatment. Most patients notice some positive change โ reduced pain, improved sleep, or greater relaxation โ within the first 1โ3 sessions. For acute conditions, sessions are typically 1โ2 times per week.
Sessions 4โ10: Building Momentum
This is where cumulative benefits become more apparent. As your body responds to treatment, your acupuncturist refines point selection and may incorporate additional TCM therapies. Many chronic conditions show meaningful improvement during this phase as underlying patterns begin to shift.
Monthly+: Maintenance & Wellness
After your primary concerns are resolved or well-managed, many patients transition to monthly or seasonal maintenance sessions to sustain their results, manage stress, and maintain overall balance. Some patients find quarterly "tune-up" sessions sufficient.
Acute conditions (recent injury, acute pain) may respond in 3โ6 sessions. Chronic conditions (long-standing pain, hormonal imbalances, digestive issues) typically require 8โ12 sessions for meaningful improvement. Your acupuncturist will provide a specific treatment plan during your first visit and adjust based on your response. Results are cumulative โ consistency is more important than frequency.
Acupuncture FAQs
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
Most patients report little to no pain. Acupuncture needles are extremely fine โ about the thickness of a human hair โ and nothing like injection or blood-draw needles. You may feel a brief, mild sensation (tingling, warmth, or slight pressure) as the needle is inserted, followed by a feeling of deep relaxation. Most people find the experience calming, and many fall asleep during treatment.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Yes. When performed by a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) or Doctor of TCM (Dr.TCM), acupuncture is very safe. All needles are sterile, single-use, and disposed of after each treatment. Our acupuncturists are regulated by the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia (CTCMA) and have completed extensive training in safe needling practices.
Is Acupuncture Covered by Insurance in BC?
Yes. Acupuncture by a Registered Acupuncturist is covered by most extended health insurance plans in British Columbia. ICBC covers acupuncture for motor vehicle accident injuries, and MSP provides a supplementary benefit for acupuncture (currently $23 per visit, up to 10 visits per year for eligible residents). At Phoenix Rehab, we offer direct billing to most major insurers.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
It varies by condition. Acute issues may resolve in 3โ6 sessions, while chronic conditions typically need 8โ12 sessions for lasting improvement. Your acupuncturist will recommend a treatment plan during your first visit. Most patients notice some positive change within the first 2โ3 sessions.
How Should I Prepare for an Acupuncture Session?
Eat a light meal 1โ2 hours before your appointment (avoid coming on an empty stomach). Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your arms, legs, and back. Avoid caffeine and alcohol before your session. Arrive a few minutes early to relax before treatment begins.
Can Acupuncture Be Combined with Other Treatments?
Absolutely. Acupuncture works very well alongside physiotherapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, and other treatments. At Phoenix Rehab, your acupuncturist can coordinate directly with your other practitioners to create a complementary, integrated treatment plan. Many patients find that combining acupuncture with other therapies produces faster and more complete results than any single approach alone.
Is Acupuncture Covered by Insurance?
We make care accessible with direct billing for a wide range of insurers. Please check with your provider to confirm your specific coverage details.
Most patients pay little to nothing out of pocket.
We direct bill ICBC, WorkSafeBC, MSP, and most extended health plans โ so you can focus on getting better, not paperwork.
Not sure about your coverage? Call us at 778-379-9888 or book online โ our team will verify your benefits before your first visit.
Serving patients across Burnaby and Vancouver, BC.
Meet Your Acupuncture Team
Our registered acupuncturists bring years of clinical training and holistic expertise.
Begin Your Healing Journey
Book an acupuncture session at our Burnaby clinic and experience the restorative power of natural, evidence-informed care.
100B โ 3300 Boundary Rd, Burnaby ย |ย 778-379-9888