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.

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 target the interplay between the nervous system, muscle, connective tissue, and joint function. Local needling of muscles, tendons, and myofascial structures is paired, when indicated, with segmental, motor-point, scalp, auricular, or channel-based methods.

The clinical aim is to decrease pain, restore normal muscle activation, improve joint mobility, and re-establish efficient movement patterns. This method is particularly effective for spine and joint pain, sports injuries, nerve-related symptoms, and any condition 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.

Precise needling of these points reduces excessive muscle tone, improves local circulation, and helps reset abnormal neuromuscular signaling. The result is decreased pain sensitivity, better muscle recruitment, and greater tolerance to loading and movement.

This technique is especially useful for persistent muscular pain, restricted range of motion, and movement dysfunction. It is frequently combined with segmental and motor-point needling so that both the muscle itself and the nervous system’s contribution to ongoing tension are 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 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 progressive return of function after surgery. Care is matched to the stage of healing and coordinated with rehabilitation to promote safe, steady recovery.

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.

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.

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 and upper back.

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 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.

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.