Acupuncture

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body. It is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine and most commonly used to treat pain. Increasingly, it is being used for overall wellness, including stress management. According to Traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force — known as chi or qi (chee) — believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance. However, Western practice of acupuncture view the acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. The belief is that this stimulation boosts your body's natural painkillers.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Reduces pain by producing a neurophysiological and electrochemical reaction that causes muscle relaxation, chemical and hormonal changes to your nervous system.
Often involves the use of several needles in multiple points of the involved area, or more than one area of the body.
The needles can target nerves, trigger points and traditional Chinese medicine points.
The needles are only inserted to a shallow depth making the treatment pain free in most applications.
Treatments may last from 10-20 minutes.

What Conditions Can Benefit From Acupuncture?

Musculoskeletal & Pain Conditions

Chronic Neck & Back Pain – reduces muscle tension and improves mobility
Osteoarthritis (especially knee OA) – decreases pain and stiffness
Shoulder Pain – rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder
Tennis Elbow & Golfer’s Elbow – reduces pain and improves grip strength
Headaches & Migraines – one of the most evidence-supported uses of acupuncture
TMJ / Jaw Pain – relieves tension in masseter and jaw muscles
Fibromyalgia – helps reduce widespread pain and fatigue

Neurological Conditions

Stroke Rehabilitation – supports recovery of motor function and reduces spasticity
Peripheral Neuropathy – improves sensation and reduces pain/tingling
Multiple Sclerosis – alleviates pain, spasticity, and fatigue (as adjunct care)
Parkinson’s Disease – may improve mobility and reduce stiffness

Post-Surgical & Injury Recovery

Enhances circulation and reduces swelling
Speeds healing after orthopedic surgery
Reduces post-operative pain and reliance on opioids

Chronic Health & Functional Conditions

Insomnia & Anxiety – helps regulate the nervous system and improve sleep
Digestive Issues (IBS, nausea, constipation) – supports gut regulation
Menstrual Pain & Menopause Symptoms – decreases cramps, hot flashes, and mood swings
Allergies & Sinusitis – reduces congestion and immune over-reactivity

Sports & Performance

Enhances muscle recovery
Reduces inflammation
Improves energy balance and endurance

Start Healing
With Acupuncture in Burlington

Are you struggling with chronic pain, headaches, arthritis, or stress-related tension? Acupuncture may provide the natural relief you’ve been looking for.

At Cogent Physical Rehabilitation Center in Burlington, our physiotherapists use evidence-based acupuncture to reduce pain, improve circulation, and support whole-body healing as part of your personalized treatment plan.

Call us today at 905-635-4422 or Book Your Acupuncture Appointment Online to begin your journey toward pain relief, relaxation, and improved wellness.

Request an Appointment

FAQs on Acupuncture

Q1. Is Acupuncture Painful?

Typically, acupuncture is generally painless or but may cause mild discomfort beyond the initial brief ‘pricking’ sensation. Some patients have reported less common sensations including a dull ache, pressure, tingling, numbness or heaviness. Many describe it as relaxing once all the needles are inserted.

Q2. How many sessions will I need?

This depends on your condition. Some patients notice improvement after 2–3 sessions, while chronic conditions may need ongoing care.

Q3. Is acupuncture safe?

Yes. At Cogent Rehab, we use only sterile, single-use needles and follow strict safety protocols.

Q4. Is Acupuncture Covered by Insurance Plans?

Sessions are covered if you have extended health insurance for physiotherapy since the treatment is provided by a registered Physiotherapist. If acupuncture is appropriate for you, it will be included as part of your physiotherapy treatment sessions. We do not offer treatments that only involve acupuncture and dry needling alone.