Individualized Acupuncture Care for Your Health and Movement Goals
At Okanagan Integrative Health, our West Kelowna acupuncture treatments are tailored to your individual concerns, health history and goals.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine, sterile needles at carefully selected points on the body. Treatment may be used independently or alongside other approaches to care depending on your needs.
Patients commonly book acupuncture for concerns involving musculoskeletal pain, sports and activity-related issues, headaches, stress, pregnancy and fertility support, and recovery following motor vehicle accidents.
Acupuncture at Okanagan Integrative Health is provided by Suzie Jones, R.Ac, who combines her training in Traditional Chinese Medicine with a strong background in physical activity, sport and modern needling techniques.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a healthcare practice with origins in Traditional Chinese Medicine that uses thin, sterile, single-use needles inserted at selected points on the body.
Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches acupuncture through patterns of signs and symptoms and established acupuncture-point systems. Modern clinical approaches may also consider anatomy, muscular function, local tissue response and the nervous system when selecting treatment strategies.
At Okanagan Integrative Health, acupuncture is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Your practitioner will discuss why you are seeking care, assess your individual presentation and select an approach appropriate for your goals.
Treatment may involve traditional acupuncture points, musculoskeletal or motor-point techniques, or other needling approaches depending on the reason for your appointment.
Common Reasons People Book Acupuncture
People seek acupuncture for many different reasons. At Okanagan Integrative Health, common areas of focus include:
- Neck and back discomfort
- Shoulder and upper-back tension
- Headaches and migraines
- Sports and activity-related concerns
- Muscle tension and trigger points
- Repetitive strain and overuse
- Stress and difficulty relaxing
- Pregnancy-related concerns
- Fertility and reproductive wellness
- Menstrual and hormonal concerns
- Recovery following a motor vehicle accident
- General health and wellness goals
Acupuncture is not appropriate for every condition or every patient. Your practitioner will discuss your symptoms, health history and goals and determine whether acupuncture is a reasonable option for you.
Acupuncture for Pain & Musculoskeletal Concerns
Muscles, joints and surrounding soft tissues can become irritated or sensitive following injury, repetitive activity, prolonged positioning or increased physical demands.
Acupuncture may be incorporated into care for people experiencing concerns involving areas such as:
- Neck
- Upper and lower back
- Shoulders
- Elbows and forearms
- Hips
- Knees
- Calves and lower legs
- Head and jaw
Treatment is individualized to the person rather than based only on the location of symptoms.
Depending on your presentation, Suzie may combine traditional acupuncture concepts with anatomical or movement-based approaches when selecting treatment points.
For some patients, acupuncture may also complement chiropractic care, Registered Massage Therapy or kinesiology and exercise rehabilitation as part of a broader plan.
Sports Acupuncture & Active Care
Suzie brings a particularly strong background in sport and physical activity to her acupuncture practice.
Before becoming an acupuncturist, she completed a Bachelor of Physical Education at the University of Alberta, competed in hockey and triathlon, and played and coached hockey at the varsity level.
Her additional training includes Acusport Motor Point Needling and Trigger Point Dry Needling, providing additional options when working with active individuals and musculoskeletal concerns.
Sports-focused acupuncture may be considered for people dealing with:
- Muscular tension associated with training
- Activity-related aches and discomfort
- Overuse concerns
- Areas of persistent tightness
- Movement-related muscular complaints
- Recovery between training or competition
Whether you're a competitive athlete or simply enjoy running, cycling, hiking, skiing, hockey, golf, weight training or staying active in the Okanagan, treatment can be adapted to your individual activity and goals.
Acupuncture for Headaches & Neck Tension
Headaches can have many potential causes, and appropriate medical evaluation is important when symptoms are new, unusual, severe or changing.
For some patients with recurrent headache or migraine concerns, acupuncture may be considered as one component of symptom management.
Treatment may also address accompanying areas of muscular tension or sensitivity in the neck, shoulders and upper back when relevant.
Your practitioner will discuss your headache history and determine whether acupuncture is appropriate or whether further assessment should be considered.
Acupuncture for Pregnancy & Fertility Support
Acupuncture is also available for patients seeking supportive care during fertility treatment, pregnancy and different stages of reproductive health.
Appointments may be tailored around concerns and goals related to:
- Fertility and reproductive wellness
- Menstrual-cycle concerns
- Pregnancy
- Prenatal wellness
- Later-stage pregnancy and labour preparation
- Stress associated with fertility or pregnancy
Acupuncture should complement—not replace—appropriate medical, obstetric or fertility care.
Your treatment will be adapted to your stage of pregnancy, medical history and individual circumstances.
Okanagan Integrative Health also has naturopathic physicians with clinical interests in women's health, fertility, reproductive medicine, perimenopause and menopause, allowing patients to access additional care within the clinic when appropriate.
Acupuncture for Stress & Relaxation
Many patients also book acupuncture as part of their approach to managing stress and promoting relaxation.
Acupuncture sessions generally take place in a quiet treatment environment, and some patients find the treatment experience itself relaxing.
Your appointment can be individualized based on your symptoms, sleep, stress levels and overall health goals.
Acupuncture is not a substitute for medical or mental-health care when those services are needed, but it may be one supportive component of a broader wellness plan.
Acupuncture After a Motor Vehicle Accident
Acupuncture may be available as part of eligible ICBC care following a motor vehicle accident.
People recovering from a collision may experience a combination of muscular tension, neck or back discomfort, headaches, stiffness, sleep disruption and other symptoms.
Your first appointment includes an assessment to determine whether acupuncture is appropriate for your individual presentation and recovery goals.
Okanagan Integrative Health works with ICBC patients and can assist with eligible billing and treatment processes.
Have your ICBC claim information available when booking your first accident-related appointment.
Traditional Acupuncture, Motor Point Needling & Dry Needling
Although the same type of fine filiform needle may be used, different needling approaches can have different clinical rationales.
Traditional Acupuncture
Traditional acupuncture typically selects points using principles and patterns originating in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The location and combination of points used may vary according to the patient's symptoms, health history and overall presentation.
Motor Point Needling
Motor-point approaches use anatomical locations associated with muscles and their nerve supply.
This technique may be incorporated into treatment for certain musculoskeletal or sports-related concerns when appropriate.
Trigger Point Dry Needling
Dry needling generally targets muscles or areas of muscular sensitivity rather than following a traditional acupuncture-point prescription.
Suzie has completed additional training in both Trigger Point Dry Needling and Acusport Motor Point Needling, allowing her to select from different needling approaches based on the individual patient and reason for treatment.
Your practitioner will explain the proposed approach and obtain your consent before treatment.
Meet Your West Kelowna Acupuncturist
Suzie Jones, R.Ac
Suzie Jones is a Registered Acupuncturist at Okanagan Integrative Health with a unique combination of healthcare education, athletic experience and advanced needling training.
Suzie completed a Bachelor of Physical Education at the University of Alberta before earning her Diploma in Acupuncture from MacEwan University.
Her background in sport has been an important influence on her clinical practice. She played competitive hockey, went on to play and coach at the varsity level, and spent six years competing in triathlon throughout Alberta and British Columbia.
Suzie combines principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern anatomical and movement-based concepts to create an individualized approach to acupuncture.
Her additional training includes:
- Trigger Point Dry Needling
- Acusport Motor Point Needling
- Dolphin Microcurrent Point Stimulation (MPS)
- Brain Healing – Level One Concussion Course
Her interests are a natural fit for the active Okanagan community, and outside the clinic she enjoys mountain biking, paddle boarding, hiking and skiing.
Acupuncture FAQ
You can generally book directly with a Registered Acupuncturist without a physician referral.
Some extended health insurance plans may have their own reimbursement requirements, so check your individual policy if you're unsure.
There is no standard number of appointments that applies to everyone.
The recommended frequency depends on why you're seeking care, how long the concern has been present, your health history, your goals and your response to treatment.
Your acupuncturist can discuss an appropriate treatment plan following your assessment.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing when possible.
Depending on the areas being treated, your practitioner may need access to areas such as the arms, legs, shoulders or back. Draping and positioning can be adjusted to maintain your comfort and privacy.
Yes. Acupuncture uses sterile, single-use needles that are disposed of appropriately after each treatment.
Yes.
Some patients use acupuncture on its own, while others receive it alongside chiropractic care, massage therapy, naturopathic medicine or exercise rehabilitation.
Using multiple services is not necessary for everyone. Your practitioners can discuss whether another type of care may be appropriate for your needs.
Many extended health plans provide coverage for services from a Registered Acupuncturist.
Coverage varies by policy. Check your individual benefits or contact your insurance provider if you're unsure about your acupuncture coverage.
Yes. Acupuncture may be available for eligible ICBC claims following a motor vehicle accident.
Have your claim information available when booking so our clinic can help determine the appropriate appointment type and billing process.
Yes. Okanagan Integrative Health offers acupuncture appointments specifically for prenatal, fertility and labour-preparation care.
Treatment is individualized and is intended to complement appropriate medical, obstetric or fertility care.
Acupuncture in West Kelowna
Okanagan Integrative Health provides acupuncture from our multidisciplinary health clinic in West Kelowna, BC.
Our clinic also offers chiropractic care, naturopathic medicine, Registered Massage Therapy, clinical counselling and kinesiology, giving patients access to multiple healthcare disciplines from one location when appropriate.
We welcome patients from West Kelowna, Westbank and surrounding Central Okanagan communities.
Okanagan Integrative Health
204–525 BC 97 South
West Kelowna, BC V1Z 4C9
Ready to Book Acupuncture in West Kelowna?
Schedule an acupuncture appointment with Suzie Jones, R.Ac and choose a time that works for you.
