Acupuncture at WellCare Medical in Bradford is used to relieve pain, ease muscle tension and support recovery after injury. Our acupuncture therapist, who is also a registered massage therapist, offers medical acupuncture and myofascial needling, including myofascial acupuncture for shoulder pain, using sterile, single-use needles, and holds certifications in acupuncture for male fertility and in dynamic acupuncture for weight loss. Treatment is planned around your goals and can be combined with chiropractic care, physiotherapy and massage therapy at the same clinic on Holland Street East.
What acupuncture is and how it works
Acupuncture involves placing very fine needles at specific points on the body. Research suggests that needling stimulates nerves in the skin and muscle, which changes the way pain signals are processed and prompts the release of the body's own pain-relieving chemicals. Needling a tight band of muscle (a trigger point) can also help it relax. This approach is sometimes called medical acupuncture or dry needling.
Conditions we treat with acupuncture in Bradford
- neck and back pain
- tension headaches
- sciatica and other nerve-related pain
- shoulder pain and stiffness
- tendon pain such as tennis elbow
- knee, hip and other joint pain, including pain from osteoarthritis
- muscle tightness related to stress
- pain and stiffness after a car accident or a fall
Studies support acupuncture for several kinds of long-term pain, including lower back pain, neck pain, knee osteoarthritis and tension-type headaches. Results differ from person to person, and we review your progress after the first few sessions.
What an acupuncture session is like
Your practitioner reviews your health history, your goals and any sensitivities before the first treatment, and explains each step. You lie comfortably while the needles are placed. Most people feel a brief pinch, then a dull ache, warmth or heaviness around the needle, which is a normal response. The needles are usually left in place for a short time while you rest, and many people find the session relaxing.
The number of needles and the points used depend on the problem being treated. Wear loose clothing that can be rolled up to the knees and elbows, and have something to eat beforehand.
Acupuncture for male fertility and weight loss
Alongside pain treatment, our acupuncture therapist is certified in two specialty areas:
- Acupuncture for male fertility. Offered to men who are trying to conceive, usually alongside the care of their doctor or fertility clinic.
- Dynamic acupuncture for weight loss. Offered as one part of a weight-management plan that also includes nutrition and activity.
Research in both areas is still developing and results differ from person to person. Acupuncture is used alongside medical advice in these cases and does not replace it. At your first visit your therapist will ask about your goals and health history and explain what a course of treatment involves.
Dry needling at our clinic
Dry needling for tight, painful muscles is provided by our acupuncture therapist and by our physiotherapists. If you are already seeing one of our physiotherapists, ask whether needling would suit your treatment plan.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture has a strong safety record when it is performed by a trained practitioner using sterile, single-use needles. Minor effects such as a small bruise, a little soreness or feeling tired afterwards are the most common. Tell your practitioner if you are pregnant, take blood thinners, have a bleeding disorder or a pacemaker, or feel faint with needles, so the treatment can be adapted.
Acupuncture after a car accident or a fall
After a collision or a slip and fall, people often have whiplash, muscle spasm and irritated nerves. Acupuncture can help ease pain and muscle guarding, and it is usually paired with soft-tissue therapy, gentle exercise and, where appropriate, chiropractic adjustments. See car accident rehabilitation and slip and fall rehabilitation for how the full plan works.
Combining acupuncture with other treatment
Acupuncture often works best as part of a wider plan. It is commonly paired with chiropractic treatment for tension headaches, physiotherapy for chronic pain or massage for stress and tension relief. Your practitioner will suggest a combination that fits your condition.
Acupuncture cost, coverage and direct billing
| Initial acupuncture assessment and treatment | $100 |
|---|---|
| Acupuncture session | $80 |
Fees at WellCare Medical Bradford, October 2026
- Work benefits. Many extended health plans cover acupuncture, sometimes only when it is provided by a particular type of practitioner, so check your plan or ask us to help. We bill most insurers directly. See using your work benefits.
- OHIP. OHIP does not cover acupuncture, and we do not provide treatments covered by OHIP.
- Car accidents. We provide the documentation needed for motor vehicle accident (MVA) claims. See car accident (MVA) rehabilitation.
- No coverage. We offer flexible private packages.
- Walk-ins. Walk-ins are welcome for every treatment on any day we are open. If we have availability we will see you right away. Calling ahead is the best way to avoid a wait.
All prices are on our fees page.
Common questions about acupuncture in Bradford
Does acupuncture hurt?
The needles are much finer than those used for injections, and most people feel only a brief pinch. A dull ache or heaviness around the needle is normal and passes quickly.
How many acupuncture sessions will I need?
It depends on the condition and how long you have had it. A common starting point is a short course of weekly sessions, with a review of whether it is helping. Your practitioner will recommend a plan after your first visit.
What is the difference between acupuncture and dry needling?
Both use the same fine needles. Dry needling, or myofascial needling, targets tight bands in muscle. Medical acupuncture also uses points chosen for their effect on pain signalling. Your treatment may include both.
Do I need a referral for acupuncture?
It depends on your insurance plan. Check with your plan administrator before your first visit; many insurers show this in their app.
Do you offer acupuncture for fertility and for weight loss?
Yes. Our acupuncture therapist is certified in acupuncture for male fertility and in dynamic acupuncture for weight loss. Call us to ask whether it is suitable for you.
Can I have acupuncture and another treatment on the same day?
Often yes. Many people combine it with chiropractic, physiotherapy or massage. We will advise you on the best order and timing.
Reviewed by the WellCare Medical clinical team, October 2026.