Acupuncture

When we first met John, he was struggling with chronic shoulder pain that made it hard to sleep, reach overhead, or even lift a cup of coffee. Driving to a clinic wasn’t an option—so we brought the care to him. During our in-home physiotherapy sessions, we introduced acupuncture as part of his personalized treatment plan. Within a few sessions, he noticed reduced tension, better range of motion, and, most importantly, relief. At PhysiGO, our physiotherapists are trained to safely and effectively use acupuncture alongside movement-based therapy to target pain and promote healing—all in the comfort of your own home.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a treatment technique that was originally developed in China many years ago. It involves inserting very thin, sterile needles into specific points in the body. These points help stimulate the nervous system, release tight muscles, and improve blood flow. While acupuncture has roots in traditional Chinese medicine, when used by physiotherapists, it’s based on current science and understanding of anatomy, physiology, and pain.

At PhysiGO, our physiotherapists use acupuncture as part of a well-rounded treatment plan. That means we’re not just targeting symptoms—we’re addressing the root cause of your pain. Whether it’s helping calm down irritated nerves, reduce inflammation, or support better movement, acupuncture is one more tool we use to help you heal faster and feel better, right from your own home.

Conditions Treated with Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been used for many years as a complimentary therapy with physiotherapy. Many studies have shown the benefits and it is recognized by many of the top institutions across Canada and the US. Traditional Chinese Medicine is useful for almost any ailment but a physiotherapist performing acupuncture focuses on musculoskeletal health including migraines, headaches, pain and neurological recovery. Read more below about the specific conditions that physiotherapists will treat with acupuncture.

1. Pain Management

Acupuncture first gained popularity in the field of physiotherapy for its ability to help with pain. Acute and chronic low back pain, neck pain, joint pain, arthritic pain are just some of the many types of pain that respond well to stimulation with acupuncture needles. Your physiotherapist will do a full assessment to determine the best points to use for your specific condition.e

2. Headaches & Migraines

Headaches and migraines are a common complaint and can be debilitating for those that experience them. Acupuncture can be helpful to decreased inflammation, decrease muscle tension, decrease pain and increase mobility. All of these will help alleviate the pain in the head which should increase a person’s ability to function.

3. Sports & Musculoskeletal Injuries

There are many types of sports and injuries to bones, muscles and joints. However, the most common we see are sciatica, knee pain, sprains, strains and tennis elbow. Acupuncture can help to reset these areas which helps to alleviate pain and get an athlete back to the game quicker.

4. Neurological & Stroke Rehab

Acupuncture acu can play a vital role in those that have recently experienced a stroke or a neurological injury. There have been some studies indicating that when acupuncture is combined with traditional rehabilitation it helps to activate key areas of the brain which improves neurological deficits. The research discusses an acupunctures needles ability to stimulate blood flow, reduce cell death around damaged brain tissue and regulate pathways that cause inflammation. Acupuncture can be a safe complementary therapy that can enhance rehab for stroke survivors and those that are struggling with a neurological condition.

Will acupuncture help me?

Are you interested in trying acupuncture to see if it can help you? Your journey starts here with booking an appointment with one of our highly knowledgeable physiotherapists.

Your first appointment will consist of a full medical history review and a discussion regarding goals. Your in-home physiotherapist will also include a hands on exam to go through mobility, strength and functional testing if warranted. From there your physiotherapist will make a plan with you to make sure that your goals are being met.

Almost everyone is a good candidate for acupuncture but we do exercise extra precaution if you have a pacemaker, have a bleeding disorder, are pregnant or exhibit any type of infection especially with the needles.

The acupuncture session length will depend on your goals and how acute you are. Most needles will be left in for approximately 15-20 minutes. When the needle is inserted it is normal to feel a tiny bit of pressure and then some people will feel heaviness and achiness. Some people don’t feel anything at all while the needles are in! Before our physiotherapist come to your home for your acupuncture session please make sure you eat something!

The exact mechanism on how acupuncture work is still being researched, however some of the suggested mechanisms are:

-stimulates the nerves and nervous system

-triggers the release of endorphins

-increases blood flow to the area and reduces inflammation

As physiotherapists, acupuncture is rarely the only thing we do in a treatment session and it is often combined with manual therapy, massage techniques, exercise and education to improve your overall outcome.

Meet our Physiotherapists

Lisa Lewis – Edmonton

Alex Murray – Winnipeg, Carman & Morris