Acupuncture in Edina, MN
How Acupuncture Works.
Acupuncture uses very fine, sterile needles placed at specific points on the body. It has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine, and researchers today also study how needling may affect nearby tissue and the way the nervous system handles pain signals.
At Aervita, acupuncture in Edina MN is never a stand alone add on. Every plan starts with an exam and a conversation, so the needles serve a goal you can name, like sitting through a workday, getting back to training or sleeping through the night.
The science is still developing, and results vary from person to person. We explain what we know, what we do not and what to expect before you decide.
Acupuncture is booked alongside chiropractic care, PEMF therapy, red light therapy, hyperbaric oxygen and functional medicine, all in our Edina clinic.
Acupuncture is supportive care, not a diagnosis specific treatment, but these are the concerns that most often bring people through our door. Every plan starts with a doctor led assessment, so the approach fits you.
- Low back stiffness
- Neck and shoulder tension
- Headaches and tension
- Joint aches
- Muscle tightness and trigger points
- Recovery after training
- Stress and winding down
- Sleep and low energy
- Support alongside chiropractic care
Your First Acupuncture Visit
Your first visit is the 40 minute Initial Health Assessment with a doctor. We take your history, examine how you move and talk through whether acupuncture fits. If it does, we explain the plan, the possible side effects and what Minnesota law requires us to tell you before treatment begins.
Initial Health Assessment
Everyone starts with a 40 minute visit with a doctor. We review your history, goals and medications, and ask about anything that matters for needling, like bleeding disorders or a pacemaker.
Your Plan
We explain what we found, whether acupuncture fits, how often to start and how we will measure progress. You receive written information about the technique and its risks.
The Treatment
Fine needles are placed while you rest, usually for 15 to 30 minutes. Most people notice a dull ache, warmth or heaviness rather than sharp pain, and we check in throughout.
The Recheck
We compare your movement and symptoms with where you started, then decide together whether to continue, change the plan or add another service.
Acupuncture vs. Dry Needling.
Both use thin needles, but they come from different frameworks. Traditional acupuncture follows a whole body approach and chooses points based on your overall pattern. Dry needling targets irritable spots in muscle, often called trigger points, and is usually paired with movement and strength work.
Your doctor will explain which approach fits your situation and which providers on our team perform it. Some people benefit from a blend of both.
Who Will Treat You.
Acupuncture at Aervita is provided by doctors who also understand your exam, your movement and the rest of your care plan.
Dr. Stephen Thompson, DC, DACM, L.Ac.
Dr. Thompson is a chiropractor and a licensed acupuncturist who joined Aervita in October 2026. His care blends adjustments, acupuncture, bodywork and functional medicine, with a focus on helping people recover from injuries and long standing physical concerns. Read the full bio on our Team page.
Dr. Natalie Schumacher, DC, CFMP
Dr. Schumacher completed more than 300 hours of acupuncture education and is a Certified Chiropractic Acupuncture Practitioner. She is also a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner and brings a root cause, evidence informed approach to care. Read the full bio on our Team page.
One Clinic, One Plan.
Because everything happens under one roof, your providers can plan acupuncture around your other services instead of working in separate silos.
- Chiropractic care: Acupuncture before or after an adjustment to help you relax and move comfortably
- PEMF therapy: A gentle, hands off option some people pair with needling to support recovery routines
- Red light therapy: A comfortable way to add recovery time to your week
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Added to a broader plan when your doctor feels it fits your history
- Functional medicine and labs: Looking beyond the symptom when fatigue, stress or hormones are part of the picture
Clear, Upfront Pricing.
Aervita is a cash pay clinic. We do not bill health insurance, which keeps our pricing clear and our visits unrushed. Current pricing appears in our online booking calendar before you book.
Every new patient starts with the $84 Initial Health Assessment, a 40 minute visit with a doctor. If you plan to submit receipts to your plan, we can provide a superbill, and our insurance and payment page explains the options. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
Acupuncture in Edina MN and the Twin Cities.
Our clinic is at 4820 W 77th St, Suite 150, in Edina, close to Highway 100 and Interstate 494. Patients visit us from Edina, Minneapolis, Bloomington, Richfield, St. Louis Park, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Hopkins and across the Twin Cities.
Before You Book.
Acupuncture is generally well tolerated when performed by trained providers using sterile, single use needles. Possible side effects include soreness at the needle site, minor bruising, lightheadedness and, rarely, infection.
Tell us before treatment if you have a pacemaker or a bleeding disorder, take blood thinners, are pregnant or may be pregnant, or have an infection or skin condition near a treatment area. You are welcome to consult your primary care provider at any time, and we will refer you elsewhere if something needs medical attention first. Safe acupuncture in Edina MN starts with a good history and a thorough screening.
Acupuncture FAQ.
Most people feel a brief pinch, a dull ache or a feeling of warmth or heaviness. The needles are much thinner than the ones used for injections. If something feels uncomfortable, tell us and we will adjust.
It depends on what you are working on and how your body responds. Many plans start with a short series, then reassess. We outline a plan after your Initial Health Assessment and check progress before recommending more.
Your first visit is the 40 minute Initial Health Assessment. You talk through your history and goals, receive an exam and review a plan. Acupuncture may begin that day if it is appropriate, or at your next visit.
People often use acupuncture in Edina MN as part of care for back and neck pain, headaches, joint aches, muscle tension and stress. Clinical guidelines from groups such as the American College of Physicians list acupuncture as one non drug option to discuss for chronic low back pain. Research on other conditions is mixed, results vary, and we do not promise outcomes.
When done by trained providers with sterile, single use needles, acupuncture is generally considered safe. Side effects are usually mild and can include soreness or bruising. We screen for health factors before treatment.
Dr. Stephen Thompson, DC, DACM, L.Ac. is a licensed acupuncturist. Dr. Natalie Schumacher, DC, CFMP is a Certified Chiropractic Acupuncture Practitioner.
Acupuncture uses a whole body framework to choose points. Dry needling targets irritable spots in muscle and is usually paired with movement work. Your doctor will explain which fits you.
No. Aervita is a cash pay clinic and does not bill health insurance, including Medicare, for acupuncture. Medicare patients are welcome, and we can explain your options during booking. We can provide a superbill for your own records.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that lets us reach your forearms and lower legs, and bring a list of medications and supplements. Eat a light meal beforehand rather than coming on an empty stomach.
Yes. Many patients do. Your doctor can plan visits so acupuncture and chiropractic care support each other, and can add red light, PEMF or other services if they fit your goals.
Pregnancy changes which points and techniques are appropriate. Tell us if you are pregnant or may be, and we will talk through whether acupuncture is right for you or whether to wait.
Most visits include check in, a period of rest with the needles in place, often 15 to 30 minutes, and a brief recheck. Your online booking calendar shows the length of each appointment type, and your Initial Health Assessment runs about 40 minutes.
Many people use acupuncture to help them relax, and some notice better sleep patterns while they are in care. Research on sleep and stress is mixed, so we treat it as one supportive tool alongside sleep, movement and nutrition habits.
To book acupuncture in Edina MN, book the Initial Health Assessment through our online calendar, or call or text 952 213 6386.
Start With a Conversation.
Book your Initial Health Assessment and meet a doctor who will listen first, with acupuncture in Edina MN as one of your options.
This page is educational and is not medical advice. Acupuncture is not a substitute for care from your physician. Results vary.