Archetype Acupuncture is proud to participate in the Veterans Community Care Program and provide acupuncture services to eligible veterans. Authorized visits are fully covered by the VA at no cost to the veteran, with no copay required.

To access care:

• Request a referral from your VA provider to Archetype Acupuncture (Sun Yun, LAc) or call 808-838-6519 (VA).

• Once the referral is received, our office will contact you to schedule your initial appointment.

We are honored to support America’s veterans and look forward to partnering with you in your care and recovery.

Treatment at Archetype Acupuncture is designed to address pain and movement dysfunction at multiple levels, including the spine, nervous system, muscles, and connective tissues. Care is guided by a functional understanding of how the nervous system organizes movement and how mechanical stress, injury, and postural patterns contribute to pain. Modalities are combined thoughtfully to support coordinated, long-term recovery rather than short-term symptom relief.

Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Acupuncture

Orthopedic and sports medicine acupuncture addresses pain, injury, and movement limitation affecting the musculoskeletal system. Services are appropriate for both acute and long-standing conditions, including arthritis, post-surgical recovery, and soft-tissue injuries.

Treatment is guided by a comprehensive orthopedic assessment and integrates modern biomechanical principles with classical acupuncture frameworks that parallel contemporary neuroanatomy and physiology. These include channel-based (Jing Luo), sinew-based (Jing Jin), and organ-based (Zang-Fu) models, which can be understood through the lens of nervous system organization, connective tissue continuity, and internal systems regulation.

From a modern perspective, Jing Luo (channels) correspond closely with peripheral nerve pathways, segmental spinal organization, and patterns of referred pain and neuromodulation. Jing Jin (sinew channels) reflect myofascial chains, muscle-tendon units, and movement-based load transmission that influence posture, joint mechanics, and coordination. Zang-Fu (organ systems) relate to autonomic nervous system regulation, circulation, inflammation, stress physiology, and recovery capacity, all of which directly affect tissue healing and pain sensitivity.

By integrating these models, treatment can be tailored to the specific tissues involved, the stage of healing, and the functional demands placed on the body. Techniques are selected to influence pain processing, normalize muscle activation, improve movement efficiency, and support the body’s adaptive and repair mechanisms.

This approach is well suited for athletes, active adults, veterans, older individuals, and those with physically demanding work or lifestyle requirements who want to recover more fully, move with confidence, and maintain long-term function.

segmental neuromuscular Acupuncture

(Spinal-level & Motor Point Techniques)

Segmental neuromuscular acupuncture addresses pain and movement dysfunction by targeting spinal-level nerve input and the muscles those nerves control.

Segmental acupuncture is performed along specific spinal levels using paraspinal points (such as Jiaji points) located adjacent to the spine where nerves exit the spinal column. Stimulating these points influences how the nervous system processes pain, regulates muscle tone, and coordinates movement at a segmental level.

A motor point is the location where a motor nerve enters a muscle and has the greatest influence on muscle activation. Targeting motor points helps normalize muscle firing patterns, reduce excessive or protective muscle tension, and improve coordination and strength.

By combining segmental spinal acupuncture with motor point techniques, this approach addresses both the neurological source of dysfunction and its muscular expression. Treatment helps normalize reflex activity, reduce guarding, and support more efficient, coordinated movement.

Segmental neuromuscular acupuncture is especially effective for spine-related pain, referred symptoms, muscle imbalance, nerve sensitivity, complex orthopedic or sports-related injuries, and conditions where pain, movement, and posture are closely linked.

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. This process can decrease pain sensitivity, restore more efficient muscle activation, and improve tolerance to movement and loading.

From a neurophysiological perspective, trigger point acupuncture influences both local tissue mechanics and central pain processing by reducing abnormal muscle firing and modulating pain pathways. This makes it particularly effective for deep or hard-to-reach muscles that are difficult to address with manual or surface-based treatments alone.

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, supporting more complete and durable recovery.

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, electro acupuncture reinforces spinal level and peripheral input, helping regulate reflex activity, normalize muscle firing patterns, and reduce pain sensitivity. This makes it especially effective for nerve related conditions, post injury recovery, and chronic or persistent pain states where the nervous system remains sensitized.

Electro acupuncture has also been shown to activate endogenous pain modulating pathways which can improve comfort and movement tolerance while supporting tissue healing. Depending on the clinical goal, it may be used as a primary treatment modality or integrated with manual techniques and progressive rehabilitation to promote more durable, functional recovery and long term movement confidence.

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.