If you’re exploring gender affirming care, you might already know how complex and beautiful the process of aligning body, mind, and identity can be. What you might not know is how deeply supportive acupuncture can be through every stage of that journey.
At Allies Integrated Health, we use Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) style acupuncture and adjunct therapies to care for the whole person. Acupuncture offers gentle, holistic support for hormone therapy, surgical recovery, mental health, and overall balance. It can be a steady companion throughout transition, helping your body and nervous system adjust, restore, and thrive.
I’m Janna Malo (she/her), a Registered Acupuncturist, community herbalist, and founder of Allies Integrated Health here in Victoria, BC. I’m a member of WPATH and have completed Gender Affirming Care training through their Global Education Initiative. My approach blends evidence informed acupuncture with inclusive, trauma aware care designed to meet each patient exactly where they are. I have close ties to the trans and gender diverse community and feel deeply passionate about creating safer, affirming spaces where everyone can access care without fear or judgment. My work is grounded in compassion, curiosity, and the belief that healing happens best when people are met with respect and authenticity.
What Makes Acupuncture Helpful
Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years and is now backed by growing research for its effects on pain, mood, sleep, and recovery. By stimulating specific points on the body, acupuncture influences circulation, hormone regulation, and the nervous system. In gender affirming care, this can mean support for both physical healing and emotional resilience. A great resource to learn more about evidence based acupuncture is this website: https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/acupuncture-scientific-evidence/
Pre and Post Surgical Care
Any surgery, even one that brings deep affirmation, places stress on the body’s natural systems. After surgery, you might experience swelling, discomfort, numbness, or tightness around scar tissue. Acupuncture encourages blood and lymph flow, helping to bring oxygen and nutrients to healing tissues.
It’s generally recommended to begin acupuncture treatments once the incisions have fully closed and any open wounds have healed, which is usually about three weeks after surgery. Starting at that point helps support the body’s healing process safely while minimizing the risk of irritation or infection.
Acupuncture may:
- Reduce inflammation and scar tissue buildup
- Ease post operative pain without medication
- Improve range of motion and tissue flexibility
- Support emotional calm during recovery
Research shows that acupuncture can enhance healing and tissue regeneration by improving circulation and reducing inflammation (Chmielewska et al., 2024). Many patients find it helps them feel more grounded and comfortable as they recover.
Supporting Hormone Therapy and Balance
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can be life changing. It can also come with side effects like temperature fluctuations, fatigue, acne, or mood changes. Acupuncture works with the body’s internal systems, especially the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, to promote balance and stability.
By improving sleep, regulating stress hormones, and supporting the endocrine system, acupuncture may help reduce HRT related discomfort while encouraging overall vitality. Treatments are always individualized and can be adjusted as your needs evolve throughout transition.
Emotional Health and Nervous System Support
Gender affirming care is not only about the body; it’s about the whole person. Many trans and gender diverse people navigate chronic stress or anxiety connected to dysphoria, social stigma, or systemic barriers to care. Acupuncture is a gentle way to calm the body’s stress response and build emotional steadiness.
It works by encouraging the release of endorphins and regulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which supports deep rest, better sleep, and emotional clarity. For many patients, treatments become a space to exhale and reconnect with their bodies in safety and acceptance.
Care That Centers You
Every part of care at Allies is designed to be gender affirming, trauma informed, and collaborative. You’ll always be met with respect for your identity, pronouns, and autonomy. My goal is to create a treatment plan that supports your health in a way that feels comfortable, empowering, and deeply personal.
Whether you are preparing for surgery, adjusting to hormone therapy, or simply looking for balance and connection, acupuncture can be a powerful ally on your path to well being.
Book a free 15 minute consultation to learn more about how acupuncture can support your goals and to ask any questions you might have.
References
- Coleman, E., Radix, A. E., Bouman, W. P., et al. (2022). Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8. World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
- Chmielewska, D., et al. (2024). Acupuncture and dry needling for physical therapy of scar: a systematic review. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 24(1), 14.
- Pearson, C. (2023). Classical Chinese Medicine and the LGBTQIA+ Community: A Holistic Approach to Healthcare. National University of Natural Medicine.
- Ng, T. (2024). These medical practitioners use Traditional Chinese Medicine to make healthcare safer for LGBTQ2S+ patients. Broadview Magazine.
- Evidence Based Acupuncture. (n.d.). Acupuncture: Evidence based scientific support. Retrieved 2025 from https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org