Care begins with an assessment rather than a predetermined protocol. The first visit is longer so there is time to review the problem, examine it, treat it, and outline a plan.

We talk

We review your symptoms, injury history, relevant medical history, and what you want to be able to do. This includes work, sport, and daily activity, not only the area that hurts.

We assess

We look at how the affected area moves, the relevant muscles and joints, and possible neurological involvement. Constitutional patterns are included when they affect tissue recovery or healing.

We treat

Attention may go to the painful area, adjacent tissue, related muscle, or the movement pattern affecting the problem. Local work, trigger-point acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and traditional methods may be combined in the same visit when the exam supports more than one.

We plan

We explain what we found, what we recommend, and what you can reasonably expect. The plan is reassessed as you progress. There is no required package.

This is the primary clinical approach used at Archetype Acupuncture.

• It is used for acute injuries, chronic pain, arthritis, overuse problems, post-surgical recovery, tendon and muscle problems, joint pain, and nerve-related symptoms.

• Needling may be directed to local tissue, related muscles and joints, or movement and neurological patterns that are affecting the problem.

• The aim is to decrease pain, restore movement, and improve what you can do with the area.

(Also known as Dry Needling)

Tight, tender knots or bands in muscle can cause local pain, referred pain, stiffness, or changes in movement.

• When examination shows these areas are contributing, they may be treated with a thin acupuncture needle. This is commonly called dry needling. In acupuncture it is a form of ashi (tender-point) needling, one local technique among others. It is used only when the assessment supports it, not as a separate system or on every patient.

A mild electrical current is added to selected needles to help calm persistent musculoskeletal and nerve-related pain.

• It is often used when pain has lingered, a muscle is not activating well after injury or surgery, or nerve-related symptoms are present. Intensity is adjusted to your comfort.

• It is applied to selected needles only and can be combined with orthopedic or myofascial trigger-point needling when a region needs more than manual needle stimulation.

Traditional acupuncture is a routine part of treatment when more than the injured tissue is involved. That includes tension, sleep, mood, digestion, or reduced recovery capacity. Assessment may include channels, organ patterns, and constitution.

• The aim is to regulate the nervous system and support the body's capacity to settle and heal. In classical terms this is the regulation of qi and blood. It is not a separate visit type.

Additional therapies may be incorporated when they are clinically appropriate.

SOFT-TISSUE MOBILIZATION

• Gua Sha and instrument-assisted soft-tissue techniques may be used to address areas of restriction, improve tissue mobility, and reduce stiffness.

CUPPING | MYOFASCIAL DECOMPRESSION

• Cupping uses gentle negative pressure on the skin and superficial tissues. It may be used to reduce protective muscle tension and improve tissue mobility.

PHOTOBIOMODULATION | RED LIGHT THERAPY

• A full-body red and near-infrared light panel is used during needle retention. It is used to support local circulation, tissue recovery, and comfort after needling. It is part of the treatment session, not a separate appointment.

PEMF

• A full-body pulsed electromagnetic field mat on the treatment table is used during the session. It is used to support tissue recovery and help settle irritation in the involved area. It is part of the treatment, not a separate appointment.

DYNAMIC COMPRESSION

• NormaTec compression may be used selectively to support recovery and reduce the sensation of swelling, soreness, or post-exercise fatigue.

POSTURAL, MOVEMENT ASSESSMENT & CORRECTIVE EXERCISES

• Posture and movement assessment is incorporated into care when relevant. Corrective exercises may be recommended when they can help improve mobility, strength, or movement efficiency.

• These therapies are not automatically added to every treatment. They are selected according to your condition and treatment goals.

Back & Spine

• Low back pain · Sciatica · Disc-related pain · Stenosis · SI joint pain · Thoracic pain · Degenerative spinal conditions

Head & Neck

• Neck pain · Whiplash · Disc-related neck pain · Headaches · Migraine · Jaw dysfunction · Facial nerve conditions · Facial paralysis · Residual post-concussion symptoms

Shoulder

• Rotator cuff problems · Frozen shoulder · Impingement · Labral problems · Shoulder arthritis · Scapular dysfunction

Hip

• Hip pain · Arthritis · Labral problems · Femoroacetabular impingement · Gluteal tendinopathy · Bursitis · Nerve-related hip pain

Thigh & Knee

• Muscle and tendon strains · Ligament injuries · Meniscus problems · Arthritis · Overuse injuries · Post-surgical knee recovery

Leg, Ankle, & Foot

• Ankle sprains · Achilles problems · Plantar fascia pain · Shin splints · Nerve entrapments · Foot arthritis

Elbow & Forearm

• Tennis elbow · Golfer’s elbow · Tendon injuries · Bursitis · Nerve compression · Arthritis

Wrist, Hand, & Fingers

• Carpal tunnel symptoms · Tendon irritation · Trigger finger · Arthritis · Post-injury wrist or hand pain

Before & after surgery

• Used before a procedure to reduce baseline pain, swelling, and protective tension, and after surgery to support pain control, tissue recovery, and return of function. Care is matched to the stage of healing.

Post-stroke & neurological recovery

• Used alongside rehabilitation to support mobility, coordination, muscle tone, sensory input, and functional independence.

Post-concussion recovery

• Support for headaches, dizziness, fatigue, sleep disruption, and nervous-system sensitivity. Paced to symptom tolerance.

Sports performance and training recovery

• Support for recovery between sessions, movement efficiency, and training-related musculoskeletal stress. You do not have to be a competitive athlete.

Archetype Acupuncture is an authorized provider in the VA Community Care Network through TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

• Eligible veterans can receive covered care at no out-of-pocket cost with a valid VA referral and authorization.

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