Personalized assessment • Pain management • Care that fits your rehabilitation goals
Living with recurring back pain, neck discomfort or headaches? If you are considering acupuncture, Prana Physiotherapy can help you arrange an assessment at our Surrey or New Westminster clinic.
Your practitioner listens to your concerns, reviews your health history and explains whether acupuncture is suitable. You receive a plan based on your needs, with time to ask questions about treatment, expected benefits and alternatives.
Free parking • Direct billing where supported • Call for current practitioner availability
Is Acupuncture an Option for Your Symptoms?
- Recurring lower back or neck pain
- Persistent muscle or joint discomfort
- Headaches or migraines for which you want to discuss an additional treatment option
- Ongoing pain affecting daily comfort and activity
- Pain following a car accident or accepted workplace injury
Not every symptom is suitable for acupuncture. Assessment helps determine whether it is appropriate, whether another service would be more useful, or whether medical evaluation should come first.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture uses fine needles inserted at selected points on the body. It is one approach within Traditional Chinese Medicine. Scientific explanations of its effects remain incomplete; research suggests nervous-system effects and other factors can contribute to symptom changes.
Evidence supports potential benefits for some pain conditions and headache presentations, but recommendations differ by condition and clinical guideline. Results vary. Acupuncture should complement appropriate care rather than replace necessary medical treatment.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your practitioner asks about your symptoms, medical history, medication and supplements, previous treatment and goals. Tell us about pregnancy, bleeding conditions, blood thinners, implanted devices, recent surgery or any concerns about needles.
Assessment is selected for your presentation. Your practitioner explains the proposed approach, areas to be treated, expected sensations, benefits, risks and alternatives, and obtains your consent. You can decline a technique or stop at any time.
If treatment is appropriate, fine sterile single-use needles are used. Your practitioner checks your comfort and explains what to expect during and after the session. You may receive advice about activity or follow-up suited to your needs.
What to bring: Comfortable clothing, a medication list and your insurance details. For injury claims, bring your claim number and injury date. Call to confirm appointment length, fees and preparation instructions.
Common Reasons to Discuss Acupuncture
Back and Neck Pain
Some patients consider acupuncture as part of pain management. Your practitioner assesses suitability and discusses realistic goals. Rehabilitation may also involve movement and strengthening; acupuncture does not replace these needs or repair a damaged disc.
Persistent Muscle and Joint Pain
Treatment may be considered for selected ongoing pain presentations. Evidence and suitability differ between conditions. For knee osteoarthritis, clinical recommendations are inconsistent, so discuss the benefits, limitations and exercise-based alternatives rather than assuming acupuncture is routine arthritis care.
Headaches and Migraine
Acupuncture may be considered for some headache presentations. Keep your medical provider informed and do not stop prescribed treatment without advice. A sudden severe headache or new neurological symptoms require urgent medical assessment.
Symptoms Following an Injury
Acupuncture may fit into a broader rehabilitation plan when clinically appropriate. Treatment depends on the injury and recovery stage. Claims coverage and the decision to offer treatment are separate considerations.
Your Relieve, Restore, Recover Pathway
Step 1
Relieve
Assess your concerns and discuss a suitable starting plan. Agree on symptom goals and a treatment approach you understand and consent to.
Step 2
Restore
Review your response and how symptoms affect daily activity. Adjust care as needed and discuss practical self-management or rehabilitation support.
Step 3
Recover
Review progress toward your goals and decide whether to continue, change or conclude treatment. If mobility, strength or work demands need attention, another Prana service may be appropriate.
This is a shared planning framework, not a promise that acupuncture alone will restore all function or that everyone needs a fixed course of visits.
Acupuncture Alongside Your Rehabilitation
Prana offers physiotherapy, registered massage therapy and other rehabilitation services. When appropriate and with your consent, practitioners can coordinate goals. You may not need more than one service. Acupuncture and IMS or dry needling are not interchangeable appointment types; tell reception which service you are seeking.
ICBC Acupuncture After a Car Accident
For eligible ICBC claims, up to 12 acupuncture treatments are pre-approved during the first 12 weeks after the collision without a doctor's referral. Bring your claim number, collision date and Personal Health Number.
Call your preferred clinic to confirm eligibility, direct billing and any approval needed beyond that period. Your practitioner selects care based on your symptoms and needs; pre-approved coverage is not a requirement to use every session.
Why Choose Prana for Acupuncture
- Assessment and a plan based on your concerns and goals
- Clear explanation of treatment and consent before care
- Sterile single-use needles
- Access to other rehabilitation services when appropriate
- Two convenient locations with free parking
- Direct billing where supported by your insurer and policy
Ask about the practitioner available at your chosen clinic and the treatment options suited to your needs.
Acupuncture FAQs
Does acupuncture hurt?
You may feel a brief pinch or sensations such as heaviness or aching. Experiences vary. Tell your practitioner about sharp pain or discomfort so treatment can be adjusted or stopped.
Are the needles reused?
No. We use new sterile single-use needles for each treatment.
Are there side effects?
Temporary soreness, bruising or minor bleeding can occur. Serious complications, such as infection or injury to an internal organ, are rare but possible. Your practitioner should explain risks and precautions before you consent.
How many sessions will I need?
Your practitioner discusses a plan after assessment and reviews your response. The condition, goals and progress guide frequency. No fixed number of visits or guaranteed result applies to everyone.
Is acupuncture the same as IMS or dry needling?
Both use fine needles, but clinical approaches, training and appointment types differ. IMS or dry needling may be part of physiotherapy; an acupuncture visit is a separate service. Confirm the provider and insurance category when booking.
Do I need a doctor's referral?
You can generally contact an acupuncturist directly. Some extended health plans require a referral for reimbursement. Injury claims have their own eligibility and treatment rules.
Is acupuncture covered by extended health insurance?
Many plans include acupuncture benefits, but provider eligibility, deductibles and annual limits differ. Check your policy. Direct billing is available where supported and does not guarantee full payment.
What if I am pregnant or take blood thinners?
Tell the practitioner before treatment. Pregnancy and medications can affect technique selection and precautions. Suitability is assessed individually; do not stop medication on your own.
Do you prescribe Chinese herbs?
Ask which TCM services your chosen practitioner offers. Herbal prescribing requires appropriate authorization and is not automatically part of acupuncture care. Bring a full medication and supplement list before discussing herbal products.
Can acupuncture replace my prescribed treatment?
Do not stop prescribed treatment or delay needed medical care because you are trying acupuncture. Discuss changes with the clinician managing your condition.
What are the fees and appointment times?
Call your preferred clinic for current assessment and follow-up fees, appointment lengths and availability. Ask about same-day, evening or weekend openings; practitioner schedules may differ from general clinic hours.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Bring insurance information, a medication and supplement list, and relevant medical instructions. For ICBC or WorkSafeBC, bring claim details. Tell reception which location and service you want.
Choose Your Prana Acupuncture Location
Acupuncture Surrey
103–9093 King George Boulevard, Surrey, BC V3V 5V7
King George Business Complex at 91 Avenue, near Bear Creek and Surrey Memorial Hospital. Free parking is available in the plaza and behind the building.
Call 604-260-0183 to ask about acupuncture appointments.
Acupuncture New Westminster
420 Columbia Street, 4th Floor, New Westminster, BC V3L 1B1
Opposite Columbia SkyTrain, with free parking behind the building.
Call 604-533-6620 to ask about acupuncture appointments.
