Before acupuncture was mainstream and before the profession became as widespread and accessible as it is today, Rod Mitchell had already begun charting his path – one grounded in curiosity, hands-on learning and a quiet conviction that healing should be as individual as the patient.
Now, nearly 30 years after opening his doors in Langford, Rod leads a team at Langford Physiotherapy & Medical Acupuncture defined by experience, diversity and a shared dedication to practical, results-based care.
Rod’s philosophy is simple: find what works – today, for this person, in this moment. That mindset didn’t come from textbooks. It came from decades of treating injuries, managing chronic pain and learning from mentors who saw the body as more than anatomy – they saw it as story, context and change.
He attended his first International Acupuncture Congress in London, England, in the late 1980s, long before standardized certification programs were widely available. Over the years, he learned from instructors around the world, but one teacher left a lasting impression: Roger Langrick, a B.C.- and Alberta-based practitioner who had apprenticed in Hong Kong under a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine.
“Roger was intuitive, skilled and very practical,” Rod recalls. “He wanted to achieve a result with every treatment – even if it was just a small reduction in pain. He’d say you can use as many needles as you want, but only one or two will truly matter.”
It’s a principle Rod has carried into every aspect of treatment. Whether it’s selecting the right exercise, applying a manual technique or deciding on an acupuncture point, the goal is the same: identify what will help today – and just as importantly, let go of what won’t.
Rod’s approach has helped shape a clinic that balances deep experience with fresh perspective. Newer team member Laura brings years of hospital and community care to the private sector. Bukola, a physiotherapist and former director from one of Nigeria’s top hospitals, added to her global credentials with a doctorate from Loughborough University in England.
Together, they treat a wide spectrum of patients – from chronic pain to post-surgical rehab – but always with one goal: finding the most meaningful intervention at the right time.
“There are always plenty of tools,” Rod says. “But real skill lies in choosing the right one, for the right reason, right now.”
With an expanded team, updated facilities and a deep commitment to personalized care, Langford Physio is ready to support the growing needs of the community. Whether you're recovering from injury, managing chronic pain or looking to improve mobility and function, the clinic is currently accepting new patients for physiotherapy, acupuncture, and medical rehabilitation services.
Appointments can be booked by calling 250-478-6333 or visiting langfordphysio.com.