Acupuncture in Edmonton

Q: What are the five forbidden acupuncture points?

The forbidden points refer to acupuncture points traditionally avoided during pregnancy due to their potential to stimulate uterine contractions. The most commonly cited include Spleen 6 (SP6), Large Intestine 4 (LI4), Gallbladder 21 (GB21), Bladder 60 (BL60), and Stomach 12 (ST12). Our registered acupuncturists are trained in obstetric acupuncture and modify treatment protocols appropriately for pregnant patients.

– Acupuncture · Edmonton, AB –

Acupuncture that gets to the root of it.

Most clinics treat the symptom in front of them. We treat what is driving it.

Whether you are managing chronic pain, navigating a fertility journey, dealing with hormonal disruption, or carrying the weight of a nervous system that will not settle, our team builds a clinical plan around your actual presentation, not a general protocol.

That clinical rigour is grounded in depth you will not find elsewhere in Edmonton. Our clinical director holds a Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM), two master’s degrees, and is one of a select number of clinicians in Canada certified as a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP). Our five-practitioner acupuncture team works alongside naturopathic doctors and nurse practitioners, all under one roof in Edmonton’s Glenora District. No referral required. Direct billing available.

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At a glance

registered acupuncturists

DACM

doctoral-level clinical director

No referral

book directly online

Direct billing

most insurance plans accepted

8 years

consecutively recognized top 3

MSCP · RH · DACM

hormone, herbalism & TCM doctorate

AcupunctureCuppingGua ShaMoxibustionFacial AcupunctureHerbal Medicine

Recognized across eight consecutive years. Verified: LegitScript Certified · Regulated by the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta

– What We Treat –

Acupuncture addresses a wide range of conditions, including ones conventional medicine has struggled to resolve.

Our practitioners treat both acute and chronic presentations. If you are managing a complex or long-standing condition, our integrative model gives your acupuncturist the ability to coordinate directly with our naturopathic doctors and nurse practitioners, creating a cohesive plan that conventional acupuncture alone cannot offer.

Pain Management
Fertility
Menopause & Perimenopause
Hormone Health
Anxiety & Depression
PTSD
Digestive Health
Cosmetic Acupuncture
Skin Conditions
Headaches & Migraines
Stress & Burnout
Sleep Disorders
Women’s Reproductive Health
Men’s Health
Pregnancy Support
Immune Support
Pediatric Acupuncture

– Our Modalities –

Acupuncture is the anchor. These are the tools that surround it.

Our practitioners draw on a full range of Traditional Chinese Medicine modalities, tailoring each treatment to what your body needs on the day.

Traditional Acupuncture

Fine sterile needles placed at specific points along meridian pathways to regulate energy flow, reduce pain, and stimulate the body’s natural healing response.

Japanese-Style Acupuncture

A refined technique using shallower insertion and finer gauge needles, particularly suited to sensitive patients and complex or chronic presentations.

Cupping Therapy

Suction cups applied to the skin to increase circulation, release deep muscle tension, and support the body’s natural detoxification. Often combined with acupuncture.

Gua Sha

A smooth-edged tool drawn across the skin to break up fascial adhesions, reduce inflammation, and promote lymphatic drainage in targeted tissues.

Moxibustion

Dried mugwort burned near specific acupuncture points to warm meridians, stimulate circulation, and strengthen the body’s vital energy.

Ultra-fine acupuncture needles placed on a woman's face to stimulate collagen and improve skin tone at Red Leaf Wellness Edmonton

Facial Acupuncture

Ultra-fine needles at facial acupuncture points to stimulate collagen production, improve skin tone, and reduce fine lines without toxins or surgery.

Assortment of dried Chinese medicinal herbs in wooden bowls used in Traditional Chinese Medicine at Red Leaf Wellness Edmonton

Herbal Medicine

Individualised herbal formulas prescribed to work in concert with acupuncture treatments, addressing the root cause of your condition between sessions.

Auricular Acupuncture

Fine needles or non-invasive ear seeds placed at specific points on the outer ear corresponding to organs, systems, and regions of the body. Used to support hormone balance, stress relief, pain management, and addiction recovery.

Pediatric Acupuncture

Gentle acupuncture adapted for children using finer needles, lighter stimulation, and needle-free alternatives including acupressure and ear seeds. Addresses sleep disruption, digestive concerns, anxiety, allergies, and immune support.

Tui Na

Chinese therapeutic bodywork using rhythmic pressure, stretching, and joint mobilization along meridian pathways. Often combined with acupuncture to address musculoskeletal pain, tension, and structural imbalance.

Express Acupuncture

Thirty-minute protocol-based sessions focused on one outcome: hormone health support or nervous system regulation. Ear seeds included. Open to new patients at $70 per session.

– Why Red Leaf Wellness –

What sets us apart from other acupuncture clinics in Edmonton.

Red Leaf Wellness brings a level of clinical depth, integrated disciplines, and coordinated care that is genuinely rare in Edmonton’s acupuncture landscape.

Swipe to compare →

	Red Leaf Wellness	Other Acupuncture Clinics	Conventional Medicine
Clinical Depth
Clinical training	Doctorate, two master’s degrees, hormone health certification, registered herbalist	3-year diploma (Alberta standard)	Medical degree or specialist training
Practitioner experience	Established senior clinicians – no new graduates	Ranges from new graduates to experienced	Typically established
Team and Care Model
Acupuncturists on staff	5 registered acupuncturists	1-2 typically	N/A
Disciplines under one roof	Acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, nurse practitioner, massage therapy	Acupuncture only	Doctor or specialist only
Lab work and prescriptions	Yes (via Nurse Practitioner)	No	Yes
Access and Booking
Direct billing	Yes	Varies by clinic	N/A
Express appointments	Yes – hormone health + stress	No	No
Trust and Environment
Patient rating	5.0 across 251 reviews	Varies	Typically not rated
Award recognition	More than a decade of consecutive recognition	Rarely	N/A
2SLGBTQI+ affirming	Yes	Varies	Varies

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Ready to book an appointment at Red Leaf Wellness?

No referral required. Our team accepts new patients and offers online booking across all disciplines.

– Acupuncture – Traditional Chinese Medicine –

Doctors of Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine

✓ Dr.Ac Credential ✓ CAA Registered ✓ No Referral Required ✓ Graduate Degrees Held ✓ Most Benefit Plans Accepted ✓ Direct Billing Available

Our acupuncturists hold the Doctor of Acupuncture (Dr.Ac) designation and maintain active registration with the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta, the regulatory body governing acupuncture practice in the province. The Dr.Ac is a rigorous clinical credential; several of our practitioners have gone further, holding additional graduate degrees and advanced certifications including Masters of Science degrees, the Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM), NCCAOM diplomate status, and Menopause Society certification. They bring the classical wisdom of TCM (refined over centuries) alongside modern evidence-based clinical practice, and several carry deep specializations in areas including Japanese-style needling, cosmetic acupuncture, hormone health, and neurological conditions, allowing us to match you with the right practitioner for your specific needs.

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Our Acupuncture & TCM Practitioners

Acupuncture Edmonton FAQs

Is acupuncture covered by Alberta Health Care?

Acupuncture is not covered under Alberta Health Care (AHCIP). However, most extended health benefit plans include acupuncture coverage, typically ranging from $300 to $1,000 per year. Plans through Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Alberta Blue Cross, and most employer group benefits commonly include acupuncture. At Red Leaf Wellness, we offer direct billing to most major insurers and provide itemized receipts for self-submission where direct billing is not available. We recommend reviewing your benefits booklet or calling your provider to confirm your annual acupuncture maximum before booking. You can also review our full fee schedule on our Fees page.

What does acupuncture cost at Red Leaf Wellness?

Our acupuncture fees vary by practitioner and appointment type. An initial assessment (90 minutes) is typically $165 to $225, and follow-up sessions (60 minutes) range from $112 to $117. Facial acupuncture follow-ups are $140. Direct billing is available for most insurance plans. For a complete breakdown, visit our Fees page.

What is the typical cost of an acupuncture session in Edmonton?

Acupuncture fees across Edmonton generally range from $100 to $175 for a follow-up session, with initial assessments (which include intake, assessment, and first treatment) typically running $140 to $225 depending on the practitioner’s credential level and session length. At Red Leaf Wellness, our team includes a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) as well as Registered Acupuncturists, and our fees reflect that range of clinical depth. Direct billing is available for most extended health plans. See our Fees page for current pricing.

What are the five forbidden acupuncture points?

The “forbidden points” refer to acupuncture points traditionally avoided during pregnancy due to their potential to stimulate uterine contractions. The most commonly cited include Spleen 6 (SP6), Large Intestine 4 (LI4), Gallbladder 21 (GB21), Bladder 60 (BL60), and Stomach 12 (ST12). In practice, our registered acupuncturists are trained in obstetric acupuncture and modify treatment protocols appropriately for pregnant patients. Always inform your acupuncturist if you are pregnant or trying to conceive before beginning treatment.

How many sessions will I need?

This depends on your condition, how long you have had it, and how your body responds. Acute conditions, such as a recent injury or stress-related symptoms, often show meaningful improvement within 4 to 6 sessions. Chronic or complex conditions typically require 8 to 12 sessions before you see sustained change, with ongoing maintenance thereafter. Your acupuncturist will outline a realistic treatment plan at your initial assessment and adjust it as your condition evolves.

What should I expect at my first acupuncture appointment?

Your initial appointment at Red Leaf Wellness is 90 minutes. Your acupuncturist will take a detailed health history, discuss your primary concerns and goals, and conduct a traditional Chinese medicine assessment before beginning treatment. Needles are fine and sterile: most patients feel minimal discomfort. Many people feel deeply relaxed during treatment and some fall asleep. Plan to wear loose, comfortable clothing and eat a light meal beforehand. We recommend avoiding caffeine and alcohol for at least two hours before your session.

Do you offer direct billing for acupuncture?

Yes. Red Leaf Wellness offers direct billing to most major insurance providers including Alberta Blue Cross, Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, and others through the Telus Health eClaims network. If your insurer is not on our direct billing list, we provide itemized receipts with all information required for self-submission. Contact our team if you have questions about your specific plan before booking.

Can I combine acupuncture with naturopathic or nurse practitioner care?

Yes, and for many patients this is where the most significant results occur. Red Leaf Wellness is one of the few clinics in Edmonton where acupuncturists, naturopathic doctors, and nurse practitioners work as a coordinated team under one roof. If your condition has hormonal, metabolic, or pharmaceutical dimensions alongside its physical presentation, your acupuncturist can refer you internally. Both clinicians share clinical notes and no external referral is required.

Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy?

Acupuncture is generally considered safe during pregnancy when performed by a registered acupuncturist with training in obstetric acupuncture. Our practitioners modify treatment protocols during pregnancy, avoiding traditionally contraindicated points and focusing on common pregnancy concerns including nausea, back pain, fatigue, and anxiety. Always inform your acupuncturist if you are pregnant or trying to conceive before beginning any treatment.

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