Acupuncture 101: Ancient Practice, Modern Healing
For thousands of years, acupuncture has been used to restore balance in the body and support natural healing. Today, it continues to bridge ancient wisdom with modern science, helping people manage pain, stress, and overall wellness.
At Catch Wellness, acupuncture is part of our integrated approach to care — one that treats the whole person, not just a single symptom. Whether you are curious about your first session or looking to deepen your understanding, here is everything you need to know about how acupuncture works and why it remains one of the most effective natural therapies available.
What Acupuncture Really Is
Acupuncture is a therapeutic technique that involves gently inserting ultra-fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body. These points are chosen based on your symptoms, overall health, and the practitioner’s assessment of where energy, or “Qi,” may be unbalanced.
In traditional Chinese medicine, Qi flows through pathways called meridians. When this flow becomes disrupted — by stress, injury, or illness — symptoms such as pain, fatigue, or tension can appear. Acupuncture helps restore that flow, allowing the body to regulate and heal itself.
In modern terms, acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and triggering the release of endorphins and natural painkillers. It is a powerful example of how ancient knowledge and modern physiology align.
What It Helps With
Acupuncture is remarkably versatile. It can support recovery and overall wellness in a wide range of ways, including:
- Pain relief: chronic pain, headaches, arthritis, sciatica, and joint pain.
- Injury recovery: muscle strain, inflammation, or repetitive stress conditions.
- Stress management: calming the nervous system and improving sleep.
- Digestive health: supporting balance in the gut and reducing tension-related discomfort.
- Hormonal and menstrual regulation: easing cramps, PMS, and perimenopausal symptoms.
- Postural or movement-related issues: complementing physiotherapy or massage therapy.
Clients often report not just symptom relief, but an overall sense of calm, clarity, and renewed energy after their sessions.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
If you are new to acupuncture, it is completely normal to feel a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. Our practitioners take time to walk you through the process so you always feel comfortable and informed.
Your session will begin with a short conversation about your health history, current concerns, and goals. The practitioner may also observe your posture, breathing, or other subtle indicators of imbalance. Based on this assessment, they will choose specific points to treat.
The needles used are extremely fine — about the width of a strand of hair. Most clients describe the sensation as minimal, sometimes a light tingle or warmth at the point of insertion. Once placed, the needles remain for about 15 to 30 minutes while you rest. Many clients find this time deeply relaxing, often drifting into a meditative state or even falling asleep.
After your session, you may feel lighter, more grounded, or slightly sleepy — all signs that your body is shifting into recovery mode.
The Science Behind the Results
Research continues to validate acupuncture’s effectiveness. Studies show that it activates specific regions of the brain associated with pain control, improves blood flow to injured tissues, and helps regulate neurotransmitters that influence mood and stress.
By promoting the release of endorphins and reducing cortisol, acupuncture supports the body’s natural ability to heal and restore balance. It also helps modulate the autonomic nervous system, which governs heart rate, digestion, and sleep patterns.
In simpler terms: acupuncture helps your body remember how to heal itself.
Why We Include It at Catch Wellness
At Catch, we believe that wellness should address both structure and energy. Physiotherapy, massage, and Pilates focus on how your body moves. Acupuncture supports how your body feels — calming the nervous system, improving internal balance, and amplifying the benefits of other treatments.
Our acupuncturist works closely with other practitioners to ensure your sessions fit seamlessly into your care plan. For example, if you are recovering from an injury, acupuncture can reduce pain and inflammation, helping your physiotherapy sessions progress more smoothly. If you are dealing with stress or fatigue, it can regulate your nervous system so you feel calmer and more rested between treatments.
Acupuncture and Modern Wellness
What makes acupuncture so timeless is its adaptability. It can be both a standalone therapy and a supportive complement to modern rehabilitation and lifestyle medicine.
People often begin acupuncture for a specific concern — neck pain, headaches, or anxiety — and continue because it improves their overall quality of life. It teaches you to slow down, tune in, and notice how your body responds.
It is also one of the few treatments that supports both acute healing and long-term maintenance. Regular sessions can help manage chronic pain, improve sleep, and support immune resilience, especially during times of stress.
Safety and Professional Standards
At Catch Wellness, all acupuncture treatments are performed by a registered practitioner using sterile, single-use needles in accordance with the highest professional standards. Your comfort and safety are always our top priority.
If needles make you a little unsure, chat with your practitioner first. They’ll guide you through everything and explore options that feel right for you. Our acupuncturist works with cupping, gua sha, and acupressure too, so you can ease into treatment in a way that feels calm and supportive.
Your Path to Balance
Healing looks different for everyone. Some feel immediate relief after their first session; others notice gradual improvement over several visits as their body learns to recalibrate.
What remains consistent is the sense of peace and presence that follows. Acupuncture invites you to pause, breathe, and reconnect with your body — something that is often missing in the pace of modern life.
Book Your First Acupuncture Session
If you’re thinking about starting acupuncture, this is a great time to try it. ICBC covers up to 12 acupuncture sessions within the early access period, which is the first 12 weeks from your accident date. Our team will walk you through the process and help you weave each session into your recovery plan so it actually supports how you feel day to day.
Because healing should never feel mysterious — it should feel natural, connected, and supported.