Acupuncture in Mississauga: Visits & Fees

Acupuncture at a glance

Who: every visit is with Dalibor Covic, R.TCMP (CTCMPAO #5076).
First visit: initial examination $110 + first treatment $120, the same day. About 1 hour 15 minutes.
Follow-ups: $120, about 30 minutes.
Insurance: direct billing to Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield and Desjardins.
Where: Unit 229, 1550 Enterprise Road, Mississauga, near Hwy 401 & Dixie. Free parking.

Book a first visit online or call 647-342-2281.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture places very fine, solid, sterile needles at specific points on the body. It is one of the main therapies of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), along with Chinese herbal medicine and dietary advice.

In TCM terms, channels in the body carry qi (energy) and blood. When that flow is blocked or out of balance, you may get pain, tension, poor sleep or digestive trouble. Acupuncture aims to restore a smoother flow.

In modern terms, needling stimulates nerves, muscle and connective tissue. Research suggests it may influence how the nervous system processes pain. The evidence is stronger for some problems, such as some kinds of chronic pain and headache, and mixed or limited for others. We will tell you honestly where your problem sits.

What happens at an acupuncture session?

The first visit starts with listening. Dalibor asks about what brought you in, your medical history, medications, sleep, digestion and stress. Then he checks your pulse at both wrists, a traditional TCM assessment (read more about TCM pulse diagnosis).

Before any needles go in, he explains what he thinks is going on, what he suggests, how many visits it may take and what it costs. You can ask questions or decide not to go ahead.

You lie on a treatment table, clothed where possible, with the treated area uncovered and the rest of you draped. Dalibor places a small number of needles. They usually stay in for 20 to 30 minutes while you rest. Depending on the problem he may add gentle electrical stimulation (electro-acupuncture) or heat.

Two ways we place the needles

Away from the pain: if your neck hurts, needles may go in your wrists, arms or ankles. Your body is connected, so a point in one area can affect another.

Right where it hurts: needles go on the sore area to wake up tight or tired muscles.

Dalibor chooses based on how long you've had the pain, how bad it is, and whether you've tried acupuncture before. Different tools for different problems.

What do people come in for?

Other common reasons include jaw pain (TMJ), tennis elbow and other tendon problems, joint pain and nerve pain. See the full conditions list. Not listed? Call and ask. If acupuncture is not a good fit, or you should see your doctor first, we will say so.

How many acupuncture treatments will I need?

There's no fixed number. A recent strain may settle in a few visits; longer-standing problems usually need more.

We start with an initial series of three treatments. That shows how quickly your body responds and helps set the right frequency. Acupuncture works cumulatively, so each session builds on the last.

For musculoskeletal concerns, most patients follow a one-month plan:

Weeks 1–2: 2–3 treatments per week
Weeks 3–4: 2 treatments per week

That's typically 8–10 visits in the first month. Then we reassess and adjust.

For internal organ function and reproductive health, such as blood sugar, fatty liver, menstrual pain or fertility support, treatments are usually once a week.

Some people add herbal medicine or simple changes to sleep, diet and movement. That's your choice; none of it is required.

Is acupuncture safe?

Acupuncture by a trained, registered practitioner is generally low-risk. We use sterile, single-use needles that are thrown away after one use. Common after-effects are minor: a small bruise, a spot of bleeding, brief soreness, or feeling tired or light-headed. Eat something beforehand and take a few minutes before driving home.

Acupuncture needles are much thinner than the needles used for injections or blood tests. Most people feel a quick pinch, then a dull ache, tingling, warmth or heaviness. Some people doze off. It is not sensation-free, and you can ask Dalibor to stop or adjust at any time.

Tell us if you are pregnant or trying to conceive, take blood thinners or other medications, or have a pacemaker, a bleeding disorder, diabetes or a weakened immune system. Keep your family doctor informed, and see a doctor promptly for new, severe or unexplained symptoms.

Dalibor Covic is a Registered TCM Practitioner with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO, registration #5076) and has treated more than 3,000 patients.

How much does acupuncture cost in Mississauga?

At Aculosophy, the first visit is an initial examination ($110) and your first acupuncture treatment ($120) on the same day, about 1 hour 15 minutes in total. Each follow-up treatment is $120 and takes about 30 minutes. Many Ontario extended health plans cover the initial examination and acupuncture by a Registered TCM Practitioner. We bill Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield and Desjardins directly, and give you an invoice for any other insurer. Full details are on our fees and insurance page.

Where is the clinic?

Unit 229, 1550 Enterprise Road, Mississauga, ON L4W 4P4, near Hwy 401 and Dixie Rd, with free parking. We moved here from Dundas St W in Etobicoke; it is about 20 minutes from Etobicoke via the 427 and 401. Hours: Tuesday and Friday 9 to 2, Wednesday and Thursday 2 to 6, Saturday 9 to 2.

Questions first? Call 647-342-2281.

Common questions

Does acupuncture hurt?

Most people feel a quick pinch as the needle goes in, then a dull ache, warmth or heaviness around the point. Tell Dalibor if anything feels sharp and he will adjust or remove the needle.

How many acupuncture sessions will I need?

It depends on your condition and how your body responds. We start with an initial series of three treatments. For musculoskeletal concerns most patients follow a one-month plan of 2 to 3 treatments a week in weeks 1 and 2, then 2 a week in weeks 3 and 4, typically 8 to 10 visits. For internal organ function and reproductive health, such as blood sugar, fatty liver, menstrual pain or fertility support, treatments are usually once a week. We then reassess and adjust your plan.

Is acupuncture covered by my insurance?

Many extended health plans in Ontario cover treatment by a Registered TCM Practitioner. We bill Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield and Desjardins directly; for other insurers you get an invoice with Dalibor's CTCMPAO registration number. Check your plan for your yearly limit. See fees and insurance.

Can I have acupuncture if I am pregnant or on blood thinners?

Often yes, but some points and techniques are avoided. Tell us about pregnancy, blood thinners, a pacemaker, a bleeding disorder or any other medical condition before your treatment.

Do I need a referral from my doctor?

No. You can book directly. We do encourage you to keep your family doctor informed, because acupuncture works alongside medical care, not in place of it.