What Acupuncture Is
Acupuncture involves inserting very fine sterile single-use needles at specific points, usually left in place while you rest. It sits within traditional Chinese medicine, and many practitioners also offer cupping, gua sha, moxibustion or herbal consultation alongside the needling.
You'll see several registered titles in BC — acupuncturist, traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, and doctor of traditional Chinese medicine among them. They reflect different scopes of training and practice, so it's worth checking which one a practitioner holds if herbal medicine or broader TCM care is part of what you want.
What a Session Looks Like
Initial visits 60–90 minutes; follow-ups 45–60
Intake tends to be broader than at other clinics — sleep, digestion, energy and stress usually come up alongside whatever brought you in, plus pulse and tongue observation. Needling itself is generally painless; most people feel a dull heaviness at most. You'll then rest with the needles in for twenty to thirty minutes, which is most of the appointment. Eat something beforehand and wear loose clothing.
Common Reasons People Book
- Persistent pain and tension
- Sleep and stress concerns
- Digestive complaints
- Fertility and cycle-related care, with a practitioner who lists it
- Migraine patterns
- Support alongside other treatment rather than instead of it
Last reviewed 2026-10-04.