Functional Medical Acupuncture in Toronto’s Annex

Reviewed by Dr. Brian Wright, DC, Chiropractor · Updated October 2026

Functional medical acupuncture can help reduce pain, ease muscle tension, and support more comfortable movement as part of a physiotherapy or chiropractic treatment plan. At Resilience Physiotherapy in Toronto’s Annex, we integrate this evidence-based approach into care for injuries, persistent pain, and movement limitations.

Our licensed chiropractor and registered physiotherapist hold advanced post-graduate certifications in anatomical and neurofunctional acupuncture. They use acupuncture alongside manual therapy, exercise, and other appropriate rehabilitation strategies to help you move with greater comfort and confidence.

Quick facts

Who provides acupuncture, and what does it cost?

Acupuncture is done within a session with Shannon Littlejohn Burnes, Registered Physiotherapist, or Dr. Brian Wright, Chiropractor. There’s no separate acupuncture fee: you pay the regular physiotherapy or chiropractic session price.

Is it covered by insurance?

Acupuncture is billed as part of your physiotherapy or chiropractic visit, so it’s claimed under that coverage. It can’t be billed on its own, and we don't bill insurers directly; we provide a receipt for you to submit.

Western Functional Medical Acupuncture vs. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Functional medical acupuncture uses the same fine, sterile, single-use needles as traditional acupuncture, but the clinical approach differs.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): This classical system approaches pain and illness through the balance of energy, known as Qi, along specific meridians or pathways.
Western Functional Medical Acupuncture (Anatomical/Neurofunctional): This evidence-based approach is grounded in human anatomy, neurophysiology, and pathophysiology. Your clinician places needles at targeted anatomical sites, such as myofascial trigger points, motor points, muscle-tendon junctions, and areas near peripheral nerves.

By targeting these structures, acupuncture can influence local circulation, muscle activity, and how the nervous system processes pain signals.

Take the Next Step Toward Relief

  
    How Functional Medical Acupuncture Works in the Body

Functional medical acupuncture supports rehabilitation through several physiological responses.
            
                       1. Local Tissue Stimulation and Blood Flow

Needling a tight or sensitive muscle area creates a controlled local stimulus. This can increase circulation in the area and support the body’s natural healing response. It may also help reduce muscle tension and sensitivity that contribute to ongoing discomfort.
                    
2. The Segmental Neurological Effect

When an acupuncture needle stimulates peripheral nerve fibres beneath the skin, it sends signals through the spinal cord to the brain. This process can encourage the release of the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals, including endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphins, which can help reduce the intensity of pain signals.
                    
3. Nervous System Regulation

Persistent pain and stress can keep the body in a heightened state of tension. Acupuncture can help calm protective muscle guarding and support a more regulated nervous system response. For many people, this contributes to improved comfort, easier movement, and better rest during recovery.

  
                    Conditions We Frequently Treat With Functional Medical Acupuncture
                
Functional medical acupuncture is a versatile tool that can be integrated into rehabilitation plans for a range of pain and movement concerns at our Spadina Ave clinic, including:

Chronic spinal pain

Tension headaches, persistent neck stiffness, whiplash, and lower back pain.

Overuse and repetitive strain injuries

Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, and rotator cuff tendinopathies.
                        
Lower-extremity sports injuries

Patellofemoral pain syndrome, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and chronic Achilles tendonitis.
                        
Joint arthritis and inflammation

Localized pain, stiffness, and swelling associated with osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, or hands.

Nerve irritation

Radiating discomfort, tingling, or sciatica associated with muscular compression or spinal disc issues.

What to Expect During Your Acupuncture Treatment

Your safety, comfort, and understanding of the treatment are priorities throughout the process. If your chiropractor or physiotherapist recommends acupuncture as part of your care plan, they will explain the approach, answer your questions, and obtain your informed consent before treatment begins.

During treatment, you will rest in a comfortable position while your therapist sanitizes the skin and inserts sterile, medical-grade needles. Acupuncture needles are extremely thin, and many people describe insertion as a brief pinch or barely noticeable sensation.

As a needle reaches the intended tissue depth, you may feel a dull ache, warmth, heaviness, or a brief muscle response. This sensation is often referred to as de qi. Needles are typically left in place for 15 to 25 minutes while you rest in a quiet treatment room.

Convenient Local Care Steps from Spadina TTC Station

Resilience Physiotherapy is located at 738 Spadina Ave, Suite 200, a short walk south of Spadina TTC Station, which serves both Line 1 and Line 2.

Our second-floor clinic is elevator-accessible and convenient for local residents, nearby professionals, University of Toronto students and faculty, and visitors from Yorkville or Little Italy. Located beside the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, our clinic offers a professional setting for focused rehabilitation and recovery.

Take the First Step Toward Pain-Free Living

When pain affects how you move and feel, a physiotherapy assessment can help clarify the next steps. Our clinical team can determine whether neurofunctional acupuncture belongs in a personalized treatment plan that supports more comfortable movement and rehabilitation.

BOOK YOUR ACUPUNCTURE ASSESSMENT ONLINE

or call or text us directly at 647-691-5447 to schedule your appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Acupuncture

Acupuncture is generally well tolerated. Unlike hollow hypodermic needles used for injections or blood draws, acupuncture needles are solid, ultra-thin, and filiform. You may feel a brief pinch during insertion, followed by a dull, heavy, or aching sensation. Many patients find treatment relaxing, and some fall asleep during their sessions.
When performed by a regulated, certified healthcare professional, functional medical acupuncture is a minimally invasive treatment. We use single-use, sterile needles. Temporary muscle soreness or mild bruising at the insertion site can occur and typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours.
Acupuncture is done within a physiotherapy or chiropractic session, so it's claimed under your physiotherapy or chiropractic benefits. It can't be billed on its own. Coverage depends on your individual policy, so check your plan.