Acupuncture, Cupping, Traditional Chinese Medicine

At Remedy Wellness Centre Acupuncture treatments use a combination of techniques, so we can tailor a treatment that is unique and specific to your needs. Acupuncture may involve cupping, tui na massage and obviously needling or you can opt for acupressure if you still want the benefits of acupuncture but don't like needles. We provide acupuncture for fertility and managing symptoms during pregnancy, acupuncture for stress and anxiety, acupuncture for digestive health, acupuncture for muscle pain, acupuncture for headaches and much more. 

Acupuncture is based on the premise that bodily functions are regulated by the flow of energy throughout the body, called Qi ( "Chee" ). Qi's balance greatly influences the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional part of the self. Disruption of this flow is believed to be responsible for the rise of symptoms and disease. Acupuncture treatment focuses on correcting imbalances in the flow of Qi by stimulation of specific anatomical areas under the skin called acupuncture points. These acupuncture points are connected by channels known as meridians. Acupuncture is used to encourage natural healing, improve energy, reduce or relieve pain and improve function of affected areas of the body. 

​The western view on acupuncture is that it affects neurotransmitters, reduces inflammation, balances hormones and therefore has a positive effect on the many systems of the body. Acupuncture has been clinically proven to help with digestion, mental health, hormonal imbalance, infertility, headaches, muscle pain, inflammation, joint pain and more. If you search online, you will find many studies supporting this. Pain BC has an excellent webinar about acupuncture: https://painbc.ca/health-professionals/webinars/acupuncture-and-chronic-pain
Our Registered Acupuncturists are trained in:
  • Orthopedic Acupuncture
  • Chinese Style Acupuncture
  • Cupping Therapy
  • Five Element Acupuncture
  • Facial Rejuvenation/Cosmetic Acupuncture
  • Gua Sha Therapy
  • Tui Na Massage and Acupressure
  • ​Herbal Medicine

What To Expect With Acupuncture


​An initial acupuncture consultation includes an in depth health history review, taking the pulse on both arms and inspection of the tongue. Based on the results of this assessment, acupuncture treatment is highly individualized and treatment focus will vary depending on your treatment goals and expectations. Techniques used may include needling, cupping, tui na massage, acupressure, etc. 
 
Follow up treatments are typically shorter in length and will follow a treatment plan determined by your needs and therapeutic goals. Since the effects of acupuncture are typically cumulative, you should plan to come back once a week for at least 3 consecutive visits. Your acupuncturist may also recommend some lifestyle changes, herbs or homecare practices.

About Cupping Therapy

Cupping Therapy became a wider topic in the world as Olympic top swimmer Michael Phelps, and other Olympians  have been seen with round, purple marks across their bodies in Rio 2016.
 
Cupping is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction.
  • Helps with pain, inflammation, blood flow, detoxification, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage.
  • Increases blood flow. Blood flow is the body’s way of naturally healing. Increased blood flow can be beneficial to jump start or restart a blunted healing response.
You can also think of it as a “sterile inflammation.” That’s because the cupping process draws blood from your vessels and into your tissue. Your body thinks it’s been injured, so it jump starts an inflammatory response, mobilizing antibodies to the area to try to heal it.
Benefits: Cupping therapy offers several advantages including aiding in promoting blood flow and increase blood circulation to muscles and tissue, supplies oxygen to cells, loosens knots, and can release and drain excess fluids and toxins.

Contraindications:  if you have a bleeding/clotting disorder, blood thinners, or take medicine like aspirin or ibuprofen where bleeding is a potential side effect, you might want to skip cupping.

Gua Sha Channel Scrubbing


​ Gua sha is a natural, alternative therapy that involves scraping your skin along meridian channels with a massage tool (Jade or other energy stones…)  to improve your circulation.

Benefits: Gua sha reduces inflammation, good for chronic pain, muscle and joint pain, such as arthritis and fibromyalgia. It also creates immediate relief from stiffness, fever, chill, cough, wheeze, nausea and vomiting.

Contraindications: if you have a bleeding/clotting disorder, blood thinners, or take medicine like aspirin or ibuprofen where bleeding is a potential side effect, you might want to skip Gua Sha

Tui Na Massage and Acupressure


​Tui Na is a form of Chinese massage therapy often used in conjunction with acupressure and/or acupuncture,  cupping, Chinese herbalism,  and qigong. The practitioner may brush, knead, roll, press, and rub the body, meridians/channels,  and acupuncture points to  get the energy moving in the meridians and the muscles. Dong uses trigger point release, deep tissue massage and acupressure in these treatments.
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Benefits:  good for acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, as well as many non-musculoskeletal conditions as meridians/channels and acupuncture points are connected to internal organ disorders. An excellent alternative to seeing an RMT.

Cosmetic Acupuncture


​Cosmetic Acupuncture is an additional level of training and certification for acupuncturist in BC. It is an excellent alternative to invasive procedures and toxic chemicals. Cosmetic acupuncture is also very cost effective. 

Benefits: Cosmetic acupuncture is used to treat acne, redness, reduce wrinkles, improve elasticity, and restore a healthy glow to the skin.