Search for the best acupuncture in Richmond and every clinic will tell you it’s the best — which is precisely why that word won’t help you decide. The “best” acupuncturist is the one whose training, focus, and approach are the right match for your condition, whether that’s fertility, chronic pain, stress, or sleep.
This guide lays out the seven things worth checking before you book an acupuncturist in Richmond, so you can judge for yourself — and notes how Artemis Wellness Clinic (5911 No. 3 Rd #130, Richmond BC, three minutes from Brighouse SkyTrain) measures up. Book at artemis.janeapp.com or call 604-242-2233.
1. Confirm They Are a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac)
In British Columbia, acupuncture is a regulated health profession. A Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) — and, at a higher scope, a Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) — is regulated by the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (formerly CTCMA), has completed accredited training, and passed board examinations. Someone offering “dry needling” or “acupuncture” without R.Ac registration is not the same thing, and their treatment is generally not eligible for acupuncture extended-health reimbursement.
How to check: look up the practitioner on the college’s public register. At Artemis: acupuncture is provided by registered practitioners — founder Mandy Tam, R.Ac, and Ethan Choi, R.Ac, R.TCMP, who also holds the broader TCM Practitioner registration.
2. Match Their Specialization to Your Condition
Acupuncture is broad. Some practitioners focus on fertility and women’s health; others on pain, sports recovery, stress, sleep, or digestive issues. The right acupuncturist for IVF support is not necessarily the right one for a sports injury. Having more than one registered acupuncturist on a team means you can be matched to the right focus.
How to check: ask what each practitioner treats most. At Artemis: Mandy Tam focuses on fertility and IVF support, women’s health, pain, sleep, and stress; Ethan Choi brings acupuncture plus osteopathic manual therapy and sports rehabilitation. Two registered acupuncturists, two complementary focuses.
3. Understand Their Approach to Diagnosis
Good acupuncture is not “needles in the sore spot.” A skilled practitioner takes a full TCM history — sleep, digestion, stress, cycle, energy — and treats the pattern, not just the symptom. If you understand why points are chosen, you can recognize meaningful change.
How to check: notice whether the first visit includes a thorough intake. At Artemis: sessions begin with a proper assessment; to understand the thinking behind point selection, read Mandy’s explainer, What Is a Meridian?.
4. Check Language and Cultural Fit
Acupuncture and TCM involve describing symptoms in detail. Being able to talk with your practitioner in your first language removes a real barrier — especially for nuanced concerns like fertility, sleep, or emotional health.
How to check: ask which languages the practitioners speak. At Artemis: Mandy practises in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese; Ethan practises in English and Korean; the front desk also supports Punjabi-speaking patients. That range is uncommon in a single Richmond clinic.
5. Confirm Direct Billing for Acupuncture
Acupuncture coverage varies by plan, and paying upfront then waiting for reimbursement adds friction. A clinic that direct bills your insurer means you pay only the uncovered portion at the desk.
How to check: ask which insurers they direct bill for acupuncture. At Artemis: direct billing for ICBC, WorkSafeBC, Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield Canada, and 20+ insurers via TELUS Health — see the direct billing hub and the acupuncture cost guide.
6. Look at Real, Verifiable Reviews
A body of genuine public reviews tells you more than marketing. For acupuncture especially, look for reviewers describing the practitioner listening carefully and explaining the process — trust matters in this kind of care.
How to check: read the clinic’s public Google reviews. At Artemis: a 5.0-star rating across 16 Google reviews, with acupuncture patients frequently citing immediate relief for issues that hadn’t responded elsewhere, and practitioners who “took the time to truly listen.”
7. Consider Coordination, Location, and Hours
If your condition might benefit from acupuncture plus massage, physiotherapy, or osteopathy, a multidisciplinary clinic can coordinate that under one roof. And as with any ongoing treatment, transit access and real availability matter.
How to check: ask whether acupuncture is coordinated with other care, and confirm transit/hours. At Artemis: acupuncture sits within a six-discipline clinic, three minutes from Brighouse SkyTrain, with evening and Saturday appointments. Learn more on the Acupuncture & TCM service page.
So, Who Is the “Best Acupuncturist in Richmond”?
The one who matches the most of these criteria to your situation. Apply this checklist at any clinic you consider. If you want to begin with a clinic built to meet all seven — two registered acupuncturists with complementary specialties, multilingual care, assessment-first diagnosis, broad direct billing, strong public reviews, and coordinated multidisciplinary support — Artemis is set up that way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a good acupuncturist in Richmond?
Registration as an R.Ac (or R.TCMP), a specialization matching your condition, thorough TCM diagnosis, language fit, direct billing, verifiable reviews, and coordination with other disciplines when needed. Use those criteria rather than the word “best.”
How do I verify an acupuncturist is registered in BC?
Search the practitioner on the public register of the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC. Only registrants may use “R.Ac” or “R.TCMP,” and only their treatment is eligible for acupuncture reimbursement.
What’s the difference between R.Ac and R.TCMP?
R.Ac (Registered Acupuncturist) covers acupuncture. R.TCMP (Registered TCM Practitioner) is a broader scope including the wider Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnostic framework. At Artemis, Ethan Choi holds R.TCMP; Mandy Tam is R.Ac.
Which acupuncturist should I see for fertility?
For fertility and IVF support at Artemis, Mandy Tam focuses on this area — see the fertility acupuncture page.
Does Artemis direct bill for acupuncture?
Yes — ICBC, WorkSafeBC, Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield Canada, and 20+ insurers via TELUS Health. Most patients pay $0–$30 per visit.
Do I need a referral to see an acupuncturist in Richmond?
No referral is needed to book. Some plans require one for reimbursement — check your plan.
Book an Acupuncture Consultation in Richmond
To start with assessment-first, registered acupuncture care, book at artemis.janeapp.com or call 604-242-2233. Artemis Wellness Clinic, 5911 No. 3 Rd #130, Richmond BC — three minutes from Brighouse SkyTrain.
This article is an educational consumer guide to help you evaluate acupuncturists in Richmond. It does not claim any clinic is objectively “the best.” Always verify a practitioner’s registration with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC. Acupuncture is a regulated health profession in British Columbia.
