Archetype Acupuncture is an authorized provider in the VA Community Care Network through TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Eligible veterans can receive acupuncture services at no out-of-pocket cost with a valid VA referral and authorization.

For full details on coverage, visit our Rates & Insurance page.

Each visit begins with a focused assessment to identify the primary drivers of pain and restriction. Treatment is then tailored to the specific tissues, movement patterns, and neurological factors involved with the goal of meaningful, durable recovery rather than short-term symptom relief.

Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Acupuncture

Orthopedic and sports medicine acupuncture focuses on treating pain, injury, and movement limitations affecting the musculoskeletal system. It is appropriate for both acute injuries and long-standing conditions, including arthritis, post-surgical recovery, overuse injuries, and soft tissue dysfunction.

Treatment integrates modern biomechanics with advanced acupuncture principles that emphasize the relationship between the nervous system, muscles, connective tissue, and joint function. Sessions are designed to reduce pain, normalize muscle activation, improve mobility, and restore efficient movement patterns, addressing not only the site of symptoms, but also the underlying mechanical and neurological contributors.

This approach is especially effective for spine and joint pain, sports injuries, nerve-related symptoms, and conditions where pain and movement are closely linked. It is well suited for athletes, active adults, veterans, individuals with physically demanding lifestyles, and those in an aging population who want to stay active, mobile, and independent.

Myofascial Trigger Point Acupuncture

(Dry Needling)

Myofascial trigger points are sensitive, restricted areas within muscle tissue that can produce local pain, referred pain, or altered movement patterns. These areas often develop in response to overload, repetitive strain, injury, or protective muscle guarding, and can persist even after the original injury has healed.

Targeted needling of trigger points helps reduce excessive muscle tone, improve local circulation, and normalize neuromuscular signaling to decrease pain sensitivity, restore more efficient muscle activation, and improve tolerance to movement and loading.

This approach is especially useful for persistent muscular pain, restricted mobility, and movement dysfunction. It is commonly combined with segmental neuromuscular acupuncture, including segmental and motor point techniques, to address both the source of muscle tension and the nervous system's role in maintaining it.

Electro-Acupuncture

Electro-acupuncture applies a gentle, controlled electrical current through acupuncture needles to enhance neuromodulation and neuromuscular control. By providing sustained, rhythmic input to targeted tissues and spinal segments, it influences how the nervous system processes pain, movement, and muscle activation.

When used alongside segmental and motor point-based acupuncture, it reinforces spinal-level and peripheral input — helping regulate reflex activity, normalize muscle firing patterns, and reduce pain sensitivity. It is especially effective for nerve-related conditions, post-injury recovery, and chronic or persistent pain states where the nervous system remains sensitized.

Depending on the clinical goal, electro-acupuncture may be used as a primary modality or integrated with manual techniques and progressive rehabilitation to support more durable, functional recovery.

Soft Tissue mobilization & Decompression Therapies

These therapies are often used alongside acupuncture to improve tissue quality, circulation, and comfort:

• Gua Sha / Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
  Helps reduce soft tissue restrictions, restore normal tissue glide, and improve local circulation. It is commonly used to address areas of stiffness, adhesions, or limited mobility that contribute to pain or movement restriction.

• Cupping / Myofascial Decompression
  Supports circulation and reduces muscular tension by creating gentle negative pressure in the tissues. This technique can help decompress restricted areas, improve tissue mobility, and reduce protective guarding.

Photobiomodulation (Red Light Therapy)

Photobiomodulation uses red and near-infrared light to support cellular energy production and tissue repair. It may help reduce pain, calm inflammation, and support musculoskeletal recovery.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF)

PEMF therapy uses low-frequency electromagnetic signals to support cellular communication and circulation. This gentle therapy may be used concurrently during treatment to support tissue recovery and overall musculoskeletal health.

NormaTec Dynamic Air Compression Recovery System

NormaTec uses sequential air compression to improve circulation and support recovery in the arms or legs. By enhancing lymphatic drainage and metabolic clearance, it helps reduce swelling, soreness, and fatigue.

Postural & Functional Assessment with Corrective Exercises

Postural and functional assessments evaluate how the body moves and where compensations or imbalances may be contributing to pain or limitation. Corrective exercises may be prescribed to improve mobility, strengthen weak areas, and support long-term movement health.

Post-Surgery Recovery

Support for pain control, swelling reduction, tissue healing, and return of function following surgery. Treatment is tailored to the stage of healing and coordinated with rehabilitation to support safe, progressive recovery.

Post-Stroke & Neurological Recovery

Focus on improving mobility, coordination, muscle tone, and overall functional independence when used alongside rehabilitation. Treatment emphasizes neuromuscular activation, sensory input, and nervous system regulation to support motor relearning.

Post-Concussion Recovery

Support for headaches, dizziness, fatigue, sleep disruption, and nervous system regulation following concussion. The approach emphasizes calming an over sensitized nervous system while supporting a gradual return to cognitive and physical activity.

Sports Performance Enhancement

Used to support training recovery, reduce injury risk, and improve movement efficiency. Emphasis is placed on optimizing muscle activation, joint mechanics, and recovery capacity to support consistent performance.

Back & Spine

Acute and chronic low back pain, disc issues, sciatica, stenosis, SI joint pain, thoracic pain, and degenerative conditions. Treatment addresses spinal segments, surrounding musculature, and movement patterns contributing to pain and dysfunction.

Head & Neck

Whiplash, neck pain, disc issues, headaches, migraines, jaw dysfunction, facial nerve conditions, and post concussion symptoms. Focus is placed on cervical and upper thoracic segments, muscle tone, and neural sensitivity influencing symptoms.

Shoulder

Rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, impingement, labral issues, arthritis, and scapular dysfunction. Treatment focuses on restoring shoulder mechanics, reducing protective tension, and improving coordination between the shoulder and upper back.

Hip

Hip joint pain, arthritis, labral tears, FAI, gluteal tendinopathy, bursitis, and nerve related hip pain. Emphasis is placed on load management, muscle balance, and movement patterns that influence hip function.

Thigh & Knee

Muscle strains, ligament injuries, meniscus tears, post surgical knee recovery, arthritis, and overuse injuries. Treatment supports tissue healing, neuromuscular control, and efficient movement during walking, squatting, and sport specific activity.

Leg, Ankle, & Foot

Ankle sprains, Achilles and plantar fascia issues, shin splints, nerve entrapments, and foot arthritis. Focus is placed on restoring tissue mobility, load tolerance, and coordination throughout the lower extremity.

Elbow & Forearm

Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, tendon injuries, bursitis, nerve compression, and arthritis. Treatment addresses local tissue irritation as well as contributing factors from the shoulder, neck, and repetitive loading patterns.

Wrist, Hand, & Fingers

Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendon irritation, trigger finger, arthritis, and post injury wrist pain. Emphasis is placed on reducing nerve irritation, improving tendon glide, and restoring hand function for daily and occupational demands.