Endometriosis Acupuncture in Toronto

You've learned to plan around the pain. You'd like more room for everything else.

The cancelled plans. The nights interrupted. The mental calculation before committing to something next week.

Acupuncture may help ease endometriosis-related period pain. With Sara, care starts with your history, fits alongside your medical treatment, and focuses on changes that matter in your everyday life.

You don't need to be trying to conceive, pregnant or a parent to book.

See Sara's availability

First visit: 60 minutes · $145 · No commitment to further appointments

Sara Hodgkinson, R.AcIn practice since 2015Above College Station

Sara Hodgkinson

Registered Acupuncturist

For the experienced patient

You don't need another explanation of how disruptive endometriosis can be.

You need space to discuss what's still difficult — and whether another approach is worth your time, energy and money.

Your treatment helps, but there are still difficult days

Medication, hormonal treatment or surgery may have improved some symptoms. You're looking for support with the pain that remains.

The pain reaches beyond your period

Your history may include discomfort between periods, painful intimacy, or bowel and bladder symptoms. Those differences shape the conversation about appropriate care and further assessment.

You're tired of managing everything yourself

Tracking symptoms. Researching options. Explaining what you've already tried. Bring what you have — you don't need a perfectly organized file to be taken seriously.

You're open to acupuncture — with sensible expectations

You want to know what it might help, what the research actually shows, and when to reconsider. Good questions — bring them to your first visit.

DEEP

The pattern map

The same diagnosis can affect two lives very differently.

Your assessment considers when symptoms happen, what accompanies them, the care you already receive and what improvement would mean to you.

When pain happens

Does pain build before bleeding, peak during your period, or continue between cycles? Has the pattern changed with medication or surgery?

How this informs care: Sara reviews timing, intensity and duration to set a starting point and plan scheduling. If hormonal treatment suppresses your periods, your current symptom pattern guides the conversation.

What comes with it

Disrupted sleep, fatigue, abdominal discomfort and tension may be part of your experience. They deserve attention — without assuming every symptom has the same cause.

How this informs care: Your broader history helps Sara understand your priorities and spot concerns that need another provider's assessment. Each concern's potential benefit is discussed separately.

Where acupuncture fits

You may be taking hormonal medication, recovering from surgery, receiving pelvic physiotherapy or navigating fertility treatment.

How this informs care: Your existing treatment and precautions shape the plan. Acupuncture is an addition to appropriate medical care — with communication between providers when useful, and with your consent.

What would make it worthwhile

A less disruptive period. Fewer hours spent cancelling the day. More comfortable sleep or greater ability to keep a commitment.

How this informs care: Choose a few meaningful measures and a review point. Any improvement is weighed — size and duration — against the time and cost of continuing.

The aim is symptom relief. Acupuncture has not been established as a way to remove endometriosis lesions, prevent progression or improve fertility outcomes.

The first visit

You bring your experience. We make time to understand it.

Your 60-minute appointment includes consultation, assessment and treatment where appropriate. Time spent on each part depends on your needs.

Talk through the full picture

Your symptoms, diagnosis or investigations, medications, surgeries and previous treatments. What has helped, what hasn't, and what takes the greatest toll now?

Bring existing notes or records if you have them. There is no homework required before you can begin.

Understand the proposed treatment

Sara explains the approach, proposed treatment areas, possible sensations and relevant risks. Positioning, sensitivity and any concerns about needles are discussed before you decide to proceed.

Settle into treatment

Fine needles are placed at selected points, adjusted to your comfort. You can ask questions, request a change or stop at any time.

Leave with a clear next step

Discuss what to notice afterwards, whether further visits are reasonable, and when to review progress — a plan that fits your symptoms, schedule and budget.

Why Sara

Experience in women's health. Attention to your particular story.

Sara Hodgkinson is a Registered Acupuncturist (CTCMPAO) who has practised since 2015, with a clinical focus on women's health, chronic pain and stress-related concerns.

At Aches Away, she is the acupuncturist behind the clinic's women's-health acupuncture — fertility and IVF support, prenatal care and postpartum recovery. Endometriosis appointments are part of that same practice, not a separate sideline.

Her approach is gentle and individualized. Your treatment history, comfort and priorities shape the appointment — from the first conversation to decisions about follow-up care.

You can arrive hopeful, cautious or tired of trying things. There is room for all of that.

Clear expectations, from the beginning

Your medical care remains central. Acupuncture can be considered alongside your existing plan. Changes to prescribed medication or surgical care belong with your medical team.

Evidence discussed plainly. Some research suggests benefit for endometriosis-related period pain. Results vary, and evidence for other symptoms and lasting benefit is less certain.

Continuing should have a reason. Agree on a review point. If improvement is too small, too brief or absent, discuss changing the approach, seeking another assessment or stopping.

The free guide

A clearer picture of your symptoms. Without another complicated tracking routine.

The Endometriosis Appointment Guide helps you turn what you already notice into a useful conversation with your care team.

✓ Record when pain happens and how long it lasts

✓ Note what helped, including medication and other treatments

✓ Describe the impact on sleep, work, intimacy and everyday plans

✓ Prepare questions about options, expected benefits and follow-up

Use as much or as little as helps. You do not need to track every symptom every day.

Get the Endometriosis Appointment Guide

Free PDF, delivered by email.

We'll send you the guide. Clinic updates are optional and selected separately.

Since 2015

SARA'S ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE

Registered Acupuncturist

CTCMPAO REGISTERED

60 minutes

INITIAL CONSULTATION & TREATMENT

Your first visit

Start with the question that matters: Could this help me?

Your first visit gives you time to discuss that question, understand the proposed approach and begin treatment if appropriate. You don't need to commit to a course of care before meeting Sara.

Motherhood at Aches Away Toronto

2 Carlton St, Suite 707 · Above College Station

Endometriosis Acupuncture · Initial consultation & treatment

With Sara Hodgkinson, R.Ac

$145 CAD

60 minutes · HST exempt

✓ A detailed review of your symptoms and current care

✓ An individualized acupuncture assessment

✓ Treatment where appropriate and with your consent

✓ A recommendation for next steps and when to review

See Sara's availability

First visit: 60 minutes · $145 · No commitment to further appointments

Follow-up appointments: 60 minutes · $135 CAD · HST exempt

Before you decide

Good questions before you begin.

What does the research actually say? +

Some studies suggest acupuncture may reduce endometriosis-related period pain during treatment.

In a 2023 trial involving 106 participants, acupuncture improved menstrual pain more than sham acupuncture after 12 weeks. That difference was no longer present at the later follow-up. The study did not find a significant advantage for pain between periods or pain during intercourse. Its treatment schedule was also intensive, so the results cannot predict what occasional appointments will achieve.

The evidence supports a cautious discussion about a trial of care. It does not establish acupuncture as a cure or guarantee of relief. The ESHRE endometriosis guideline found the evidence insufficient to recommend a specific non-medical intervention for pain or quality of life.

Can I have acupuncture alongside hormonal treatment, medication or surgery? +

Acupuncture may be considered alongside your medical care. Tell Sara about your medications, bleeding conditions, recent or planned surgery, and any pregnancy or fertility treatment so she can assess precautions and suitability.

Keep your medical team informed about complementary care. Do not change prescribed treatment without your prescriber's advice.

I'm still waiting for a diagnosis. Can I book? +

You can contact us to discuss whether an appointment is appropriate while medical investigation continues. Acupuncture cannot confirm or rule out endometriosis.

Pelvic pain has several possible causes. New or worsening symptoms deserve medical assessment rather than being assumed to be endometriosis. Sudden severe pain, fainting, fever, heavy bleeding or pain with a possible pregnancy needs urgent medical attention.

How many visits will I need — and how will we know if it's helping? +

Sara will discuss an initial treatment schedule and review point after assessing you. Ask about the expected time commitment and cost before deciding.

Track a few useful measures: pain intensity, hours or days affected, sleep interruption or activities you could manage more comfortably. Note changes in medication and other treatments too, because these can affect the picture.

Continuing should depend on meaningful benefit and your preferences. You can reconsider at any stage.

What should I expect from the needles? +

Acupuncture uses fine, sterile, single-use needles. You may feel a brief prick followed by an ache, warmth or heaviness; some points produce very little sensation.

Tell Sara if anything feels sharp or uncomfortable so she can adjust or remove the needle. She will discuss relevant risks, including temporary soreness, bruising or lightheadedness, before treatment.

You remain in control throughout the appointment.

Can I use my benefits? +

You receive a Registered Acupuncture receipt to submit to your insurer. We do not direct bill.

Check your plan's acupuncture coverage, reimbursement limits and any referral requirements before your appointment.