Acupuncture and Massage
"Where there is movement, there is no pain."
Acupuncture is one of the primary tools in Chinese medicine used to restore balance, alleviate pain and prevent disease. Acupuncture helps promote the smooth flow of Qi in the body which is central to restoring your own body’s innate healing abilities.
This energy,Qi, can be described as the life force that animates the body. Qi flows throughout the body via meridians, or energy pathways. In TCM treatments, acupuncture and other modalities are used to adjust and maintain balance.
MASSAGE
I have been trained in Shiatsu, Thai and Deep tissue massage. Both Thai and Shiatsu are done with the client fully clothed. Using thumbs, elbows, palms and feet, I work along meridian lines to reduce tension in the muscles and smooth the flow of qi in the body. I also use stretching, pulling and rocking techniques to relieve tension, promote relaxation, improve flexibility and circulation. In addition, I offer massage therapy with oil in which the soft tissues of the body, muscles, fascia and joints are relaxed lengthened and become more mobile. This massage is extremely beneficial in diminishing pain and encouraging relaxation.
Acupuncture
Chi Pathways
Acupuncture points are distinct sites along channel pathways where Qi can be accessed most readily through the insertion of fine, sterile, and disposable needles into specific locations of the body to elicit a therapeutic response. Illness or disease can be the result of poor Qi circulation, Qi flowing in an unhealthy direction, or insufficient Qi in a particular area of the body. Acupuncture can disperse Qi stagnation, redirect Qi movement, or concentrate Qi in a specific area in order to restore optimal and sufficient flow throughout the body. Many of these points can be seen as areas of stuck emotional energy, or things we haven’t properly processed. We often bury emotions and traumas and push them down to deal with later. However, they don’t just magically disappear. By moving the stuck ‘Qi’ in the points, we honour its communication instead of simply suppressing the symptoms as mere nuisances, thus we can affect great change throughout the entire being.
So How does it work?
The modern Understanding:
Our bodies are in constant communication with us, and even the smallest emotional or physical symptoms are connected under the surface. By knowing what to look for, Traditional Medicines treat the root causes as well as the symptoms, and can reverse or at least improve most chronic health conditions. By treating the ecosystem of our beings, true health, not just the absence of disease, naturally blossoms. The ancient Chinese believed that the same forces that exist outside of us, move within us as well. Common weather energies such as heat, cold, moisture, dryness, and wind, also have parallel symptoms within us. We are all familiar with the term ‘inflammation’, symptoms that mirror the activity of ‘fire’. The ancient Chinese simply extended these observations much further, encompassing every aspect of our organism, guided by the patterns of nature.
Within the body, these natural energies are produced, balanced and correspond to the internal organs (Zangfu). The organ energies flow outward, while the external counterparts were believed to flow in from our surrounding environments. The acupuncture ‘channels’ (river-like flows of these natural energies known as ‘Qi‘), metabolize and balance the energy from our outer world, while the organs are the inner source of these same elements. Both must be balanced in harmony for health to blossom. By inserting needles into the skin, we can remove blockages or stimulate more flow in these energies of function, like removing debris from a river or opening a flood gate, ensuring that we remain in harmony and in balance with the world around us.
What can I expect? Does it hurt? What does it feel like?
Acupuncture is relatively painless as most of the pain nerves surface in the outermost layer. Using sterile, single-use needles, it is the acupuncturist’s job to quickly penetrate through this layer into the deeper levels, by-passing any pain sensations. Instead what you experience is what is known as the “Arrival of Qi” or the “Qi sensation” (Deqi), which commonly feels like a sense of radiating pressure or a rush of energy to the point, many people even experience the radiating of the acupuncture channel itself (beyond any nerve pathways), often directly into the source afflicted organ, often without them knowing which organ channel is being needled! Quite a remarkable and satisfying experience!
Acupuncture naturally addresses both acute and chronic pain due to traumatic injury or repetitive stress, by enhancing circulation, reducing inflammation, and stimulating healing.
Studies have shown that when acupuncture is administered, parts of the brain associated with pain management are ‘lit up,’ showing the positive effects of acupuncture on certain pain receptors. It has also been shown in study after study, that acupuncture reduces site-specific inflammation and brings blood flow to painful areas, aiding in faster recovery.
Acupuncture excels at treating pain. There is a saying in Chinese Medicine that goes, “Where there is movement, there is no pain.” Acupuncture works powerfully and often quite quickly, to heal the body and illuminate pain.
Acupuncture can treat:
Pain: Acute and chronic pain, virtually anywhere in the body. Back pain, neck pain and headaches/migraines, TMJ, sciatica, frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, joint pain (spine, jaw, shoulder, elbow, wrist, finger, hip, knee, ankle), plantar fasciitis, muscle aches & tensions, sports-related injuries, tendonitis, fibromyalgia.
Women’s Health: Infertility, PMS, menstrual disorders, painful menstruation, menopausal symptoms, pregnancy support, morning sickness, labor induction, postpartum recovery, and can improve success in IVF treatment.
Emotional Health - Stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD.
General Health: Sleep disorders and insomnia, fatigue, weight loss or gain, blood pressure, blood sugar, and diabetes.
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Facial Rejuvenation - A specific style of acupuncture that is used to boost confidence by improving our skin tone and texture, increase elasticity, minimize wrinkles, and lift sagging skin.
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Trauma - Acupuncture is an excellent choice for healing injuries such as a sprained ankle. I can treat injuries like this without using points right in site of the injury.
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Neurological Conditions: Neuropathy, numbness, tingling, stroke, Bell’s Palsy.
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Digestive Conditions: Nausea, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux, IBS.
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Respiratory Health: Sinusitis, rhinitis, allergies, asthma, bronchitis, the common cold.
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Addictions: Smoking, drugs and alcohol cessation, withdrawal support, sugar or food addiction.
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Preventative: Treat minor issues before they develop into serious conditions.
Pricing: Covered by most extended health plans
60 min Acupuncture: $125.00
90 min Acupuncture/massage combo $185.00