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 orthopedic and functional assessment to identify the primary drivers of pain and restriction. Treatment is then directed at the specific tissues, movement patterns, and neurological factors involved, with the goal of meaningful, durable recovery rather than temporary symptom relief.

Acupuncture is the clinical system used. Within that system are many needling methods (local, segmental, distal, and microsystem) selected according to the presentation.

Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Acupuncture

This approach treats pain, injury, and movement limitations throughout the musculoskeletal system. It is appropriate for acute injuries, chronic conditions, arthritis, post-surgical recovery, overuse syndromes, and soft-tissue dysfunction.

Modern biomechanical assessment is combined with acupuncture techniques that address the relationship between the nervous system, muscle, connective tissue, and joint function. Local needling of muscles, tendons, and myofascial structures, including ashi and trigger-point needling, is paired when indicated with motor entry point and segmental (Huatuojiaji) methods, channel-sinew (jingjin) strategies, and microsystems such as scalp or auricular acupuncture. TCM differential diagnosis (zang-fu) is used to identify constitutional patterns that influence tissue resilience, inflammation, and the capacity to heal. Electro-acupuncture may be added to reinforce neuromodulation and motor control.

The clinical aim is to decrease pain, restore normal muscle activation, improve joint mobility, and re-establish efficient movement patterns, while also considering contributing factors that influence recovery. This method is particularly useful for spine and joint pain, sports injuries, nerve-related symptoms, and conditions in which pain and movement dysfunction reinforce each other. It is well suited to athletes, active adults, veterans, people with physically demanding work, and older adults who want to maintain mobility and independence.

Myofascial Trigger Point Acupuncture

(also known as Dry Needling)

Myofascial trigger points are localized, hypersensitive areas within muscle that generate local or referred pain and disrupt normal movement. They commonly arise from overload, repetitive strain, injury, or protective guarding and can persist long after the original tissue damage has resolved.

Dry needling is a modern name for a focused type of local acupuncture used to treat these myofascial trigger points. A thin, solid needle is inserted into the irritable muscle tissue, typically a taut, tender band. In acupuncture, this is generally understood as muscular ashi needling: treating a tender site identified by palpation. Trigger points are a more specific description of that same kind of muscular finding; ashi is the broader classical category.

This method can reduce excessive muscle tone, improve local circulation, and help normalize neuromuscular signaling. It is often useful for persistent muscular pain, restricted mobility, and movement dysfunction. It is selected when the assessment supports it and is commonly combined with other acupuncture methods, such as motor entry point or segmental needling, so that both the local tissue and the broader factors sustaining the problem can be addressed.

Electro-Acupuncture

Electro-acupuncture delivers a controlled electrical current through acupuncture needles to enhance neuromodulation and neuromuscular control. The rhythmic input influences pain processing, muscle activation, and reflex activity at both peripheral and spinal levels. Stimulation parameters can be adjusted to emphasize pain modulation, muscle recruitment, or segmental regulation according to the clinical goal.

It is particularly effective for nerve-related conditions, post-injury or post-surgical recovery, muscle inhibition or weakness, and persistent pain states in which the nervous system remains sensitized. By providing consistent input to targeted tissues and related spinal segments, electro-acupuncture helps lower pain sensitivity, improve activation patterns, and support more efficient motor control.

The method may be used alone or combined with other needling approaches and progressive rehabilitation. In many cases it functions as a bridge between passive treatment and active recovery, restoring neuromuscular function while supporting the body’s capacity for lasting improvement.

Soft Tissue mobilization & Decompression Therapies

These methods are often used with acupuncture to improve tissue quality, circulation, and comfort.

• Gua Sha / Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
  Gua sha is a manual technique that uses a smooth-edged tool to apply controlled pressure and stroking over the skin and underlying soft tissue. In modern rehab settings it is often described as instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization. The mechanical input helps reduce soft tissue restriction, improve tissue glide, and support local circulation, which can decrease stiffness, adhesion-related limitation, and movement-related pain.

• Cupping / Myofascial Decompression
  Cupping applies gentle negative pressure to the skin and superficial soft tissue. In musculoskeletal care it is also called myofascial decompression. The decompression effect can reduce protective muscle tension, improve local tissue mobility, and support circulation in restricted or guarded areas.

Photobiomodulation (Red Light Therapy)

Photobiomodulation delivers red and near-infrared light to soft tissue. The light is absorbed by cellular chromophores involved in energy metabolism and can support ATP production, help modulate inflammatory signaling, and assist tissue repair. A full-body red light system is included as a standard part of treatment and is typically applied after needles are placed, during the retention period.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF)

PEMF uses low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields to support cellular signaling and microcirculation in treated tissues. Treatment is delivered through a full-length PEMF mat placed on the treatment table, so the patient receives the therapy while lying down during the session. It is typically included concurrently with acupuncture to support tissue recovery.

NormaTec Dynamic Air Compression Recovery System

NormaTec applies sequential pneumatic compression to the arms or legs to enhance venous and lymphatic return. By supporting fluid clearance and circulation, it can help reduce swelling, soreness, and post-exertion fatigue. It is used selectively when clinically appropriate, since it requires dedicated time and may be prioritized over other methods depending on the treatment goals.

Postural & Functional Assessment with Corrective Exercises

Postural and functional assessment is a standard part of every visit. It helps identify movement compensations and imbalances that may be contributing to pain or limitation, and it informs treatment planning, including acupuncture point selection and related methods. Corrective exercises may be prescribed when clinically appropriate to improve mobility, strengthen weak areas, and support more efficient movement. They are used selectively, especially when a patient already has an active rehabilitation program or when treatment time is better prioritized for acupuncture and related methods.

Pre- and Post-Surgery Support

Treatment may be used before surgery to reduce baseline pain and swelling, improve mobility around the involved joint or region, calm protective muscle tension, and support nervous system regulation so the body is in a better state heading into the procedure. After surgery, treatment focuses on pain control, swelling reduction, tissue healing, and progressive return of function. It is matched to the stage of healing and coordinated with the surgical timeline and rehabilitation plan. It is intended to complement, not replace, the surgeon’s protocol and formal rehabilitation.

Post-Stroke & Neurological Recovery

Focus on improving mobility, coordination, muscle tone, and functional independence when used alongside rehabilitation. Treatment prioritizes neuromuscular activation, sensory input, and nervous system regulation to support motor relearning. Care is individualized to the patient’s stage of recovery and is designed to complement physical, occupational, or speech therapy rather than replace it.

Post-Concussion Recovery

Support for headaches, dizziness, fatigue, sleep disruption, and nervous system regulation after concussion. The approach aims to calm an oversensitized nervous system while guiding a gradual return to cognitive and physical activity. Treatment is paced carefully and adjusted to symptom tolerance.

Sports Performance Enhancement

Used to support training recovery, lower injury risk, and improve movement efficiency. Emphasis is placed on optimizing muscle activation, joint mechanics, and recovery capacity so athletes can train and compete more consistently.

Back & Spine

Acute and chronic low back pain, disc issues, sciatica, stenosis, SI joint pain, thoracic pain, and degenerative conditions. Treatment targets spinal segments, surrounding musculature, and the movement patterns that contribute to ongoing pain and restriction.

Head & Neck

Whiplash, neck pain, disc issues, headaches, migraines, jaw dysfunction, facial nerve conditions, and residual post-concussion symptoms. Care centers on cervical and upper thoracic segments, muscle tone, and neural sensitivity that drive symptoms.

Shoulder

Rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, impingement, labral issues, arthritis, and scapular dysfunction. Treatment works to restore shoulder mechanics, reduce protective tension, and improve coordination between the shoulder, upper back, and neck when those regions contribute to the problem.

Hip

Hip joint pain, arthritis, labral issues, FAI, gluteal tendinopathy, bursitis, and nerve-related hip pain. Emphasis is placed on load management, muscle balance, and the movement patterns from the pelvis, lumbar spine, and lower extremity that influence hip function and tolerance.

Thigh & Knee

Muscle strains, ligament injuries, meniscus tears, post-surgical knee recovery, arthritis, and overuse injuries. Care supports tissue healing, neuromuscular control, and efficient movement during walking, squatting, and sport-specific activity, while also addressing hip and foot contributors when they affect knee loading.

Leg, Ankle, & Foot

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

Elbow & Forearm

Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, tendon injuries, bursitis, nerve compression, and arthritis. Treatment addresses local tissue irritation along with 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.