Acupuncture

• Physiotherapists use needles in an area of pain or injury in order to promote local blood flow and reduce inflammation and pain. This is a very effective method of treating local, acute musculoskeletal issues.
• Acupuncturists practice Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture, which takes the whole body into consideration and is an effective treatment for a wide range of health concerns including and beyond musculoskeletal issues.

Needling is offered by Physiotherapists with specialized training in Acupuncture or Intra Muscular Stimulation (IMS), and by our Acupuncturists. For more information about Physiotherapy, please click HERE.

Acupuncture is a practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves inserting thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body to promote natural healing, reduce pain, and improve overall well-being. Needle-free sessions utilizing other modalities such as acupressure and cupping are available as well. It is widely recognized for addressing various conditions, including chronic pain, stress, and digestive issues. At our Burnaby clinics, Registered Acupuncturists provide safe, evidence-based treatments tailored to your unique needs.

Acupuncture services are offered at both our Brentwood and Metrotown locations.

Yes, Acupuncture can be helpful for a broad range of conditions including chronic pain, stress, digestive issues, women's health, or injury recovery. Acupuncture therapy typically involves precise needle insertion into specific points along the body's meridians to restore balance and stimulate healing. Additional techniques like acupressure, cupping, or gua sha may enhance your treatment, or can be used exclusively if you prefer a needle-free treatment.

Acupuncturists commonly use needle insertion into specific points (although not always necessary!), sometimes combined with electroacupuncture, acupressure, cupping, and gua sha to release tension and improve circulation. These safe, personalized techniques address a wide range of health concerns, including pain, stress, and addiction, supporting your recovery and well-being.

Your Acupuncturist will conduct a thorough assessment before initiating treatment, taking your individual health history into account to design your treatment plan. Following your assessment, your Acupuncturist will work with you to determine the best course of treatment for your condition and symptoms. Our Acupuncturists may offer additional or alternative treatment modalities to compliment Acupuncture treatment including cupping, acupressure, biopuncture, and Vitamin B12 injections.

Most treatment goals can't be achieved in just one session! Your therapist will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan based on your goals to help you feel better and achieve lasting results.

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Each appointment builds on the last, helping to reduce your symptoms, address the root cause of the issue, and support your long-term health.

No, your Acupuncturist can use alternative techniques such as cupping, acupressure, or gua sha, avoiding needles entirely if preferred. Treatments are tailored to your comfort and needs.

We require 48 hours notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Late cancellations will be charged to the patient at 50% of the appointment cost, and no shows will be charged to the patient at 100% of the appointment cost.

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Please note that insurers, including ICBC, will not pay for late cancellation fees.

Yes, it is essential to complete your intake forms prior to your first appointment to ensure our team can provide safe and effective care. Intake forms can be completed online at any time before your appointment. If you need assistance or would like to complete the forms in-clinic, please arrive at least 15 minutes early for your first appointment.

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If it has been a few years since your last appointment or you have a new ICBC or WorkSafeBC claim, you may need to complete new intake forms (we will let you know!). For minors (under the age of 19), a parent or guardian should sign the intake forms on your behalf.

Yes, some of our therapists offer services in languages other than English. For more information, please go to our Meet the Team page and filter by the language you wish to receive treatment in. You are also welcome to bring a friend, family member or translator to your session to help translate.

We ask patients to arrive 5 to 10 minutes early to check in with the front desk and ensure they are prepared for their appointment. If you have paperwork to complete (i.e. intake forms, other forms), please ensure you are at least 15 minutes early.

Yes, both of our clinics are ground level and fully accessible for individuals using wheelchairs or scooters. If you need assistance with the door, you can ring the bell (Metrotown location).

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Additionally, all of our treatment tables are height adjustable for your comfort and convenience.

Brentwood Location:

From Downtown Vancouver (15-20 min): Take Hastings Street east, turn right on Gilmore Avenue, then left on Dawson Street. Total Therapy Brentwood will be on your right at 4162 Dawson Street.

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From Metrotown (5-10 min): Take Willingdon Avenue north, then turn left on Dawson Street. Total Therapy Brentwood will be on your right at 4162 Dawson Street.

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From New Westminster (10-15 min): Take Kingsway west, turn right on Willingdon Avenue, then left on Dawson Street. Total Therapy Brentwood will be on your right at 4162 Dawson Street.

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The Brentwood location is located across the street from the Gilmore skytrain station.

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Metrotown Location:

From Downtown Vancouver (15-20 min): Drive east on Kingsway, turn right on McKay Avenue, then left on Central Boulevard. Total Therapy Metrotown will be on your left at 4665 Central Boulevard.

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From New Westminster (10-15 min): Drive west on Kingsway, turn left on McKay Avenue, then left on Central Boulevard. Total Therapy Metrotown will be on your left at 4665 Central Boulevard.

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From Brentwood (5-10 min): Drive south on Willingdon Avenue, then turn left on Central Boulevard. Total Therapy Metrotown will be on your left at 4665 Central Boulevard.

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The Metrotown location is located just east of the Metrotown skytrain station.

Here's what you should bring to your appointment:

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Identification: If it's your first appointment at Total Therapy, please bring a piece of government-issued photo ID for identity verification.

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Insurance/Payment Information: If you haven't already provided a valid credit card at the time of booking, bring a method of payment (we accept cash, debit, and most major credit cards). If you have an active ICBC claim, WSBC claim (we only accept WSBC claims for Physiotherapy treatments), or extended benefits plan for direct billing, bring that claim information with you or include it in your intake forms.

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If You're a Minor: If you're under 19, a parent or guardian should be present for your first session. Your therapist will let you know if they're required for future sessions.

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Documents: While not required, feel free to bring a doctor's referral or any medical reports that may help your therapist. You can also email these documents to us before your appointment.

Yes, we offer free parking at our locations!

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Our Brentwood location offers 2 hours of free covered parking. To access, turn down the driveway next to our facility on the south side of Dawson and take an immediate right into the parkade. You can park in any stall not marked as 'Reserved'. If you are booking back-to-back services and will need to park for more than 2 hours, please inform our front desk when you arrive.

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Our Metrotown location offers 3 hours of free parking on the west side of the building. To access, turn down the driveway next to the pharmacy from Central Boulevard and follow the signs to the parking area, which will be on your right.

There are no specific clothing requirements for your session, dress for comfort!

ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) is a provincial insurance provider that offers auto insurance and supports individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents through recovery and rehabilitation services.

Yes, our Acupuncturists treat patients with active ICBC claims and work directly with ICBC to streamline your care and billing process.

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For more information about ICBC claims at Total Therapy, click HERE.

Yes, as part of ICBC's Recovery Network, we direct bill ICBC for approved sessions, meaning there are no out of pocket expenses for your ICBC treatments.

We're proud to offer no user fees on ICBC-approved sessions, allowing you to focus on what matters most—your recovery.

In the first 12 weeks following your accident date, you have immediate access to 12 fully funded Acupuncture sessions. If you have already received Acupuncture treatment for your injury at another clinic, be sure to let us know prior to your first appointment.

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If you are approaching or have passed your session limit or end date and require more treatment, we are happy to submit a request for further treatment to ICBC on your behalf. Additional coverage is provided at ICBC's discretion. We will notify you as soon as any new ICBC coverage is approved.

If your injury occurred during a motor vehicle accident while you were working, both ICBC and WorkSafeBC (WSBC) may be involved in your claim. Typically, WSBC will be the primary insurer. Please contact us with your claim details, and we can help guide you through the process.

Please note we ONLY offer Physiotherapy WSBC services at Total Therapy.

Click HERE to visit Total Therapy's ICBC information page in our Help Centre.

WSBC (WorkSafeBC) is British Columbia's workers' compensation organization, providing insurance, support, and rehabilitation services for workers injured on the job.

No, our Acupuncturists are not able to treat patients with active WSBC claims. We only provide Physiotherapy services under WSBC coverage.

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For more information about WSBC claims at Total Therapy, click HERE.

Click HERE to visit Total Therapy's WSBC information page in our Help Centre.

Total Therapy is proud to direct bill to most major insurers! See below for a complete list:

Alberta Blue Cross

Beneva Inc

BPA – Benefit Plan Administrators

Canadian Armed Forces/CAF/Veterans

Canadian Construction Workers Union

Canada Life

Canada Life PSHCP

Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance

CINUP

ClaimSecure

Coughlin & Associates Ltd.

Cowan

D.A. Townley

Desjardins Insurance

Empire Life

Equitable Life

First Canadian

GMS Carrier

GMS Carrier

GreenShield Canada

GroupHEALTH

GroupSource

Industrial Alliance

Johnson Inc.

Johnston Group Inc.

LiUNA

LiUNA

Manion

Manulife

Maximum Benefit

Medavie Blue Cross

MDM Insurance Services

Medic Construction

Pacific Blue Cross

People Corporation

RWAM Insurance Administrators

Simply Benefits

Sunlife

SSQ

TELUS AdjudiCare

Union Benefits

UV Insurance

We will direct bill your insurance provider for your session within 1-2 business days of your appointment date. Sometimes, insurers do not pay in full, or they may refuse payment. In either of these cases, we will send you an email explaining what occurred (including an "explanation of benefits" directly from your insurer) so that you are aware. Your credit card on file will be charged for the remaining balance and a detailed receipt will be sent to you. This receipt can then be submitted to your insurer(s) who will reimburse you directly, if you are eligible for coverage.

We know that sometimes you may have coverage under two different plans and/or two different insurers. At this time, we only direct bill to your primary insurer, however, you are welcome to submit any remaining balances to any secondary insurer you may have. The only exception to this is if you have more than one plan with Pacific Blue Cross, as they will automatically process to your primary and secondary.

A deductible is an activation fee that some plans require patients to pay at the beginning the year. If you have questions about your deductible, be sure to contact your insurer!

Due to very strict privacy policy put in place by insurance companies, clinics don't have access to any information regarding your insurance plan (including your coverages or limits). You can review your policy documents or contact your insurer directly to confirm.

Yes, we are able to direct bill to most major insurers! If you have an active ICBC claim, please note that we can't direct bill another insurer for treatment until that claim has resolved.

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Click HERE to visit Total Therapy's Direct Billing information page in our Help Centre for a complete list of insurers that we bill to.

Click HERE to visit Total Therapy's Direct Billing information page in our Help Centre.

MSP (Medical Services Plan) is British Columbia's public health insurance program. It covers medically necessary services provided by physicians, as well as subsidizes some supplementary health care services for residents of the province.

MSP Supplementary Benefits is a program offered by the Ministry of Health to help reduce healthcare costs for individuals and families with incomes below a specific threshold. If you're unsure about your eligibility, we can quickly verify it for you. All we need is your Personal Health Number (PHN), date of birth, and name. This verification can be done easily over the phone or via email.

Yes, we direct bill MSP for approved sessions.

If you qualify, MSP Supplementary Benefits provide a subsidized rate for up to 10 combined visits per calendar year. These visits can be used across the following services: Physiotherapy, Massage Therapy, Chiropractic Care, Acupuncture, and Naturopathic Medicine.

Please refer to our service specific pricing section on service pages for the most up-to-date fees.

Click HERE to visit Total Therapy's MSP information page in our Help Centre.