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Acupuncture.

Needles that work with your rehab. Electroacupuncture and dry needling for pain, tension, and systemic support. Offered by our chiropractors and physiotherapists, integrated with your plan of care.

ACUPUNCTURE
45 to 60-minute sessions
1-on-1 with a trained practitioner
Single-use sterile needles
East York & Scarborough

How acupuncture
works here.

Acupuncture at PRT is modern, anatomy-based needling. We do electroacupuncture and dry needling, offered by our chiropractors and physiotherapists within their regulated scope.

Needling is used when it's the right tool for your case, alongside manual therapy, exercise, and education. It fits into a broader plan of care.

How we needle

Electroacupuncture

Fine needles placed at anatomical points with low-level electrical stimulation applied through them. Useful for nerve-driven pain, persistent muscle guarding, and recovery.

Dry needling

Trigger-point needling into tight or guarded muscle tissue to reduce tone and restore movement.

Paired with manual therapy

Used alongside hands-on work so the tissue response translates into better movement, not just temporary relief.

Paired with loading

Needling opens a window. Exercise programming makes the change stick.

What we
treat.

Acupuncture isn't a first-line treatment for everything, but for the right conditions it can be genuinely effective. A few of the most common reasons people book:

Musculoskeletal pain

Back, neck, shoulder, knee, hip pain that needs multi-tool management.

Muscle tension & trigger points

Tight, guarded muscle tissue that hasn't responded to manual therapy alone.

Headaches & migraines

Tension headaches and some migraine patterns.

TMJ & jaw tension

Jaw pain, clenching, and referred tension.

Sports injuries

Adjunct to physio and chiro care during acute or chronic-phase rehab.

Post-surgical recovery

Pain management alongside a broader recovery plan.

Stress & sleep

Some patients use acupuncture for nervous-system regulation.

Sciatica & nerve pain

Radicular pain, sciatic irritation, and other nerve-driven symptoms. Electroacupuncture can help settle things down while you rehab the underlying cause.

General wellness

Part of a broader approach to feeling well.

How a session
works.

Needling at PRT is one tool in a broader treatment plan. Our chiropractors and physiotherapists use it alongside manual therapy, exercise, and education. Here's what a typical session looks like.

01

Conversation

We discuss what you're dealing with, what you've tried, and what you want out of treatment. History matters.

02

Assessment

A quick physical check of the affected area: range of motion, palpation for trigger points and muscle guarding, and any relevant neuro screening. That tells us which points and which technique to use.

03

Needling

Fine, sterile, single-use needles placed at chosen points. Most people feel very little beyond a quick pinch. For electroacupuncture, low-level current is applied through the needles. For dry needling, the needle targets a specific trigger point in muscle tissue.

04

After

Needles out, brief reassessment, and the rest of your treatment plan (manual therapy, exercise, home programming) continues from there.

How acupuncture
fits in.

Acupuncture works best as part of a broader plan, alongside manual therapy, exercise, and education. The goal is to accelerate the outcome you're after and then move on.

You should leave a plan of care with an end in sight.

Who provides this.

Acupuncture at PRT is offered by our chiropractors and physiotherapists, working within their regulated scope of practice and using single-use sterile needles.

Meet the team →

Where it's available.

Acupuncture is available at both PRT locations. Availability varies by practitioner. Check the online booking calendar for openings.

East YorkScarborough
See locations & hours →

Common questions.

Does it hurt?
Most people feel a quick, mild pinch at insertion, if anything. Needles are much thinner than the ones used for blood draws. After insertion, you may feel warmth, heaviness, or a dull ache at the point. Sharp pain is not normal and the needle will be adjusted or removed.
Is it safe?
Yes, when performed by a trained practitioner with single-use sterile needles. Risks are low. We screen for contraindications (bleeding disorders, certain medications, pregnancy in specific points) at your first visit.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly. If your insurance requires a doctor's referral for reimbursement, we'll let you know and help you coordinate.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the condition and how long it's been there. Acute issues often resolve in 3 to 6 sessions. Chronic patterns may take longer. Your practitioner will give you a realistic plan.
Is acupuncture covered by insurance?
Acupuncture is often covered when performed by a regulated health professional within their scope (chiropractor, physiotherapist, RMT). Coverage depends on your specific plan. We offer direct billing for most major insurers.
What's the difference between acupuncture and dry needling?
Both use the same fine, sterile needles. Dry needling targets muscle trigger points anatomically to reduce tone and guarding. Electroacupuncture adds low-level electrical stimulation through needles placed at anatomical points, useful for nerve-driven pain and persistent muscle activity. PRT practitioners use both depending on what fits your case. We don't offer traditional Chinese medicine or meridian-based acupuncture.
Who actually delivers the treatment?
Our chiropractors and physiotherapists, working within their regulated scope. Acupuncture here isn't a standalone service with a TCM practitioner, it's a tool integrated into your rehab plan by the same clinician managing your care.
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Acupuncture at PRT

Book a
first session.

East York

1400 O'Connor Drive, Suite 14
(416) 288-0875

Scarborough

2100 Ellesmere Road, Suite 120
(416) 439-1001