Acupuncture in London, Ontario
When Physiotherapy Alone Hasn't Been the Full Answer
Are you dealing with chronic pain that hasn't fully resolved — even after doing the work?
You've been consistent with your exercises. You've made progress. But something is still lingering, and you're not sure what's missing.
This is one of the most common reasons patients book acupuncture at Break Free. Not because physiotherapy failed — but because chronic pain is complex, and sometimes the body needs more than one approach to fully recover.
At Break Free Physiotherapy and Wellness, acupuncture is offered by registered physiotherapists who understand musculoskeletal pain from the inside out. That combination of physiotherapy training and acupuncture certification means your treatment is always grounded in a full understanding of what's actually driving your symptoms.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body. Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, it is now widely integrated into contemporary physiotherapy and rehabilitation practice.
When performed by a trained physiotherapist, acupuncture works to:
Reduce pain — both acute and chronic
Decrease muscle tension and release trigger points
Improve circulation and support tissue healing
Calm an overactive nervous system
Complement and enhance the effects of physiotherapy
At Break Free, acupuncture is never applied in isolation. It's used strategically, as part of a broader treatment plan — alongside manual therapy, exercise, and education — when it makes clinical sense for your specific presentation.
What Does Acupuncture Help With?
We commonly use acupuncture as part of treatment for:
Chronic lower back pain and sciatica
Neck pain and cervicogenic headaches
Shoulder pain — rotator cuff, frozen shoulder, impingement
Hip and knee pain
Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
Jaw pain and TMJ dysfunction
Fibromyalgia and widespread chronic pain
Postoperative recovery and scar tissue management
Stress-related muscle tension and fatigue
Nerve pain and neuropathic conditions
Sports injuries and delayed recovery
If you've been carrying pain that hasn't responded fully to other treatments, it's worth having a conversation about whether acupuncture fits into your plan.
What Makes Acupuncture at Break Free Different?
It's performed by registered physiotherapists. Abhishek Vashishtha, Corey Kim, and Jessica Tomlin aren't acupuncturists who also treat pain — they're physiotherapists who also offer acupuncture. Every needle placement is informed by a thorough understanding of anatomy, movement, and the musculoskeletal system. That context changes the quality of the treatment.
It's integrated with your physiotherapy plan. Acupuncture at Break Free is used as a clinical tool — not a standalone add-on. When it makes sense for your case, it becomes part of a broader approach that may include manual therapy, exercise prescription, and patient education.
One-on-one, the whole appointment. You're with your physiotherapist from start to finish. No handoffs, no assistants. The person doing your acupuncture is the same person who assessed you and knows your history.
We explain what we're doing and why. If the idea of needles makes you nervous, that's completely normal. We walk you through exactly what to expect before we start — what you'll feel, how long the needles stay in, and what we're aiming to achieve. You're always in control.
What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?
The needles used in acupuncture are extremely fine — much thinner than a typical injection needle. Most people feel very little on insertion, sometimes nothing at all.
Once the needle reaches the right depth, you may notice a mild ache, tingling, warmth, or heaviness around the site. This sensation is called "de qi" and is often a sign that the treatment is working. Most patients find themselves deeply relaxed during the session — sometimes to the point of falling asleep.
After the session, it's normal to feel a little tired or heavy. Most people notice improvement within 24–48 hours. Any mild soreness typically settles with heat and gentle movement.
If at any point you're uncomfortable, let us know. We can always adjust.
The Physiotherapists Who Offer Acupuncture at Break Free
Abhishek Vashishtha, Registered Physiotherapist With over 12 years of clinical experience, Abhi specializes in chronic pain, lower back pain, hip, shoulder, and neck conditions. His acupuncture training adds a valuable tool to an already deep clinical foundation — particularly for patients who've had partial results with physiotherapy alone.
Corey Kim, Registered Physiotherapist Corey is certified in both acupuncture and the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. His approach is systematic and evidence-based — he uses acupuncture where the clinical evidence supports it, as part of a well-reasoned treatment plan.
Jessica Tomlin, Registered Physiotherapist Jessica works with all injuries across the lifespan and specializes in pelvic floor physiotherapy and postpartum recovery. She integrates acupuncture where it supports healing of musculoskeletal conditions where a combined approach often produces better outcomes than exercise and manual therapy alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Many extended health benefit plans cover acupuncture when provided by a registered physiotherapist. Some plans have a combined physio/acupuncture limit, others cover them separately — check your policy beforehand. We offer direct billing to most major providers.
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It depends on what you're treating and how your body responds. Chronic pain conditions typically respond over 4–8 sessions. Acute injuries can often show meaningful improvement in 2–3. Your physiotherapist will give you an honest picture at your initial assessment.
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Yes — and this is often how we use it at Break Free. When it makes clinical sense, acupuncture can be incorporated directly into your physiotherapy appointment as part of a combined approach.
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Yes. When performed by a trained, registered physiotherapist using sterile single-use needles, acupuncture is very safe. Serious side effects are extremely rare. The most commonly reported effects are mild temporary soreness or light-headedness immediately after the session.
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Absolutely. Many patients come in nervous and leave wondering what they were worried about. We go at your pace, explain everything before we start, and check in throughout. You're in control at every step.
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No. You can book directly without a doctor's referral. If your insurance plan requires one for reimbursement, we can help you figure that out before your appointment.
Related Services
Acupuncture works best when paired with the right physiotherapy approach. You may also find these pages helpful:
Dry Needling — a related technique targeting muscle trigger points directly
Orthopedic Physiotherapy — the full musculoskeletal assessment behind your treatment plan
Lower Back Pain Physiotherapy — a common condition acupuncture helps manage
TMJ Physiotherapy — jaw pain and headaches often respond well to acupuncture
Ready to Find Out If Acupuncture Is Right for You?
If you've been managing chronic pain and feel like you've hit a ceiling, this might be the conversation worth having.
We'll assess what's going on, be straight with you about whether acupuncture makes sense for your situation, and build a plan around what will actually help.
No referral needed. Direct billing available. Evening and Saturday appointments available.
Break Free Physiotherapy and Wellness is located at 1444 Glenora Drive, Unit 7, in the Northridge neighbourhood of Northeast London, Ontario. Serving clients from across London including Masonville, Sunningdale, Stoney Creek, Hyde Park, Fanshawe, Thorndale, Arva, Ilderton, and Lucan.