If you are looking for effective, non-surgical, drug-free treatment for pain in Richmond BC, you have several excellent options available. As a multidisciplinary health clinic, Artemis Wellness Clinic offers five evidence-based treatments for pain, allowing us to match the right therapy — or combination of therapies — to your specific condition.
Here are five evidence-based treatments for pain available in Richmond BC, what each one does, and how to choose the right one for you.
1. Registered Massage Therapy (RMT)
Registered Massage Therapy is a commonly used manual therapy in British Columbia. RMTs use targeted hands-on techniques that aim to release muscle tension, break up adhesions, improve blood flow, and reduce pain.
Often used for: Muscle tension and tightness, chronic neck and back pain, headaches from muscle tension, sports injuries, stress-related physical symptoms, and post-car accident recovery.
How it may help: RMT addresses the soft tissue component of pain, which is present in the vast majority of pain conditions. Even when the primary cause is a joint or nerve problem, the surrounding muscles are almost always involved.
Insurance coverage: Covered by most extended health plans in BC. ICBC and WorkSafeBC accepted. Direct billing available at Artemis.
2. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body with the aim of reducing pain, decreasing inflammation, and supporting healing. It is a widely researched complementary therapy.
Often used for: Chronic pain conditions, headaches and migraines, joint pain and arthritis, nerve pain and neuropathy, pain with associated stress or anxiety or insomnia, and conditions that have not fully responded to other treatments.
How it may help: Research suggests acupuncture may work through several mechanisms — stimulating endorphin release, modulating pain signals in the spinal cord, reducing inflammatory markers, and improving blood flow. Individual results vary.
Insurance coverage: Covered by most plans. ICBC and WorkSafeBC accepted.
3. Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy uses exercise, manual therapy, and education to restore movement, function, and strength. It is widely used for rehabilitation after injury or surgery.
Often used for: Post-surgical recovery, sports injuries requiring return-to-play programs, conditions involving weakness or instability, chronic pain requiring active rehabilitation, and balance and mobility issues.
How it may help: Physiotherapy addresses the functional cause of pain — weak muscles, poor movement patterns, joint restrictions — rather than just managing symptoms. Research consistently shows that exercise-based approaches can produce good long-term outcomes for many pain conditions.
Insurance coverage: Covered by most plans. Some require a doctor’s referral. ICBC accepted.
4. Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care focuses on the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine. Through specific adjustments, chiropractors aim to restore proper joint mechanics, reduce nerve irritation, and improve spinal function.
Often used for: Back pain (particularly lower back), neck pain and stiffness, headaches related to the cervical spine, sciatica, postural dysfunction, and joint restrictions anywhere in the body.
How it may help: When spinal joints are restricted or misaligned, they can irritate nearby nerves and cause pain locally and in distant areas. Chiropractic adjustments aim to address these mechanical issues.
Insurance coverage: Covered by most plans. ICBC and WorkSafeBC accepted.
5. Kinesiology and Active Rehabilitation
Kinesiology applies exercise science to injury recovery and health management. Kinesiologists design personalized exercise programs that bridge the gap between clinical treatment and full return to normal activity.
Often used for: Graduated return to activity after injury, workplace injury rehabilitation, ongoing management of chronic conditions, sports performance enhancement, fall prevention for seniors, and ICBC active rehabilitation programs.
How it may help: Kinesiology provides long-term exercise programming that helps you maintain the improvements made through other treatments. It is the bridge between being treated and being fully independent in managing your health.
Insurance coverage: Coverage varies by plan. ICBC and WorkSafeBC accepted.
How to Choose the Right Treatment
The right treatment depends on your specific condition, but here are some general guidelines.
If your pain is primarily muscular (tension, tightness, trigger points), start with RMT. If your pain is chronic and has not responded fully to other treatments, try acupuncture. If you need rehabilitation after injury or surgery, start with physiotherapy. If your pain is related to spinal or joint dysfunction, try chiropractic. If you need ongoing exercise programming for recovery or prevention, add kinesiology.
For many pain conditions, a combination of two or more treatments can be helpful. At Artemis, all five treatments are available under one roof, so your practitioners can coordinate your care.
Why Choose Artemis Wellness Clinic in Richmond?
We offer all five of these evidence-based pain treatments in one location. Our practitioners communicate and coordinate your care. We can bill many insurers directly; you pay only the part your plan does not cover (co-pay, deductible or amounts above your plan maximum). ICBC and WorkSafeBC claims are accepted. And we are conveniently located at 5911 Number 3 Rd #130, steps from Brighouse SkyTrain.
Book Your Pain Assessment
Ready to find the right treatment for your pain? Call 604-242-2233 or book online: https://artemis.janeapp.com/ Our team will assess your condition and recommend a treatment approach that suits you.
