Acupuncture in Burnaby

Work is fine. Most people go straight back to their day.

Training is worth easing off. Light movement is fine, but a hard session straight afterwards tends to undo what the treatment was for, and some people feel tired or a little light headed for an hour or two. If you have something booked that evening, say so during your session and your acupuncturist will factor it in.

Loose, comfortable clothing that can be moved above the elbow and above the knee. Many of the points used sit on the forearms, lower legs, back and abdomen, so your acupuncturist needs to reach those areas.

You will not need to undress fully. If a point needs access your clothing does not allow, you will be given a gown and draped, the same as any other treatment here.

Needles are single use, sterile, and disposed of after your session. Acupuncture is a regulated profession in British Columbia, and your acupuncturist is registered with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of British Columbia.

Side effects are usually minor: a small bruise at a point, a brief ache, or feeling tired and unusually relaxed for the rest of the day. Tell your acupuncturist if you are pregnant, taking blood thinners, or have a pacemaker, because each of those changes which points and techniques are appropriate.

Plan for about an hour. Your registered acupuncturist takes a full health history, asks about sleep, digestion, stress and the pattern of your pain, and examines you before deciding where to needle. This is why the first visit is longer than the ones that follow.

Treatment happens in the same session. Most people rest with the needles in place for twenty to thirty minutes. Afterwards you may feel relaxed or a little tired, so it is worth drinking water and taking the rest of the day gently if you can.

Yes. ICBC pre-approves twelve acupuncture sessions in the first twelve weeks after a reported crash, separate from any physiotherapy you are having. Bring your claim number and your personal health number to your first visit and we bill ICBC directly for those sessions.

The twelve weeks are the window rather than a deadline to begin, so the sooner you start, the more of the allowance you can actually use. If your recovery needs more than twelve sessions, we apply to ICBC on your behalf rather than leaving it to you.

Most extended health plans include acupuncture, and we direct bill to the majority of major insurers. Bring your plan details to your first visit and we will check what yours covers before you commit to a course.

No. You can book acupuncture directly with us. Some extended health plans ask for a physician referral before they will reimburse you, so it is worth reading your plan wording before your first visit.

A typical course runs six to twelve sessions over about three months, usually starting weekly and spacing out as things improve. Some people notice a change after the first visit, others take several.

You will get an estimate at the end of your assessment rather than an open ended plan, and we will tell you if acupuncture is not the right tool for what you came in with.

Most people are surprised by how little they feel. Acupuncture needles are about the width of a human hair, nothing like the hollow needles used for injections or blood draws.

What you are more likely to notice is a dull heaviness, warmth or tingling around the point. Practitioners call this deqi, it is the response we are aiming for, and it usually settles within seconds. Tell your acupuncturist if anything feels sharp, because a needle can be adjusted straight away.