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about ME
My passion for Traditional Chinese Medicine began at age 14 when I began studies in Kung-Fu.
I graduated from Alberta College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 2007 with a diploma in Acupuncture and an honourary diploma in TCM. Upon successfully passing Alberta acupuncture board examinations, I moved to Nova Scotia to open a practice and teach.
I have taught for two colleges, was a guest lecturer at Acadia University, and was requested for seminars by yoga instructors, the Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of Nova Scotia, AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine in Austin, Texas, as well as Nova Scotia & Saskatchewan Naturopathic Conferences.
I have written for AcupunctureToday.com, Qi Journal, Kung-Fu Tai Chi magazine and Wing Chun Illustrated.
I run TCM Graduate TV - an online educational tool where I mentor up-and-coming acupuncturists and Naturopathic Doctors through Facebook Groups, Instagram, Youtube and podcasts.
2021 -
Began 3-year apprenticeship in Haruo Matsumoto/Alexander Audette Deep Tissue Lymphatic Japanese Acupuncture (DTLA)
2019 -
Acupuncturist at Motiv Fitness
Acupuncturist at Keystone Health
President & Digital Communications, Nova Scotia Association of Acupuncturists
2007-2018
Owner of Harbour Health Clinic – two clinic locations
Vice President, Digital Communications, Nova Scotia Association of Acupuncturists
2012-2013
Canadian College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Bedford, Nova Scotia – acupuncture and Chinese medicine instructor
2010-2011
Eastern College, Halifax, Nova Scotia – acupuncture and Chinese medicine instructor
2004-2007
Registered Acupuncturist (AB, NS)
Alberta College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Calgary, Alberta – Diploma in Acupuncture, Honorary Diploma in TCM
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My Services
Acupuncture has been practiced in Japan since the sixth century, after being brought from the land of Wu 呉 (China) by Chiso (知聡) via silk roads in 562.
The Edo Period 江戸時代(17th-19th centuries) saw the country closed to almost all foreigners save the Dutch, who were allowed to trade from a small man made island off of the coast of Nagasaki. This period of isolation caused Japanese acupuncture to evolve in many unique ways including further development of palpation diagnosis and a greater presence of blind acupuncturists.
Sashi-de (Puncturing hand) and Oshi-de (Pushing/Searching hand) techniques were developed and aided in both diagnosis and gentleness in needling. At this time, a blind acupuncturist named Waichi Sugiyama 杉山和一 (1610-1694) revolutionized acupuncture by inventing the guide tube for needle insertion.
In 1878, the first school for the blind was built in Kyoto, and acupuncture was one of the vocations that the blind could choose. Shortly after this time, lymphatic acupuncture and the constant needle stimulation (unshin) techniques, were developed in 1915 by Tatsuo Hirakata 平方龍男(1889-1976), a blind acupuncturist. During treatment with this form of acupuncture, only a single needle was used with very shallow insertion (typically 3-5mm). The needle was constantly stimulated for variable periods of time depending on tissue texture. This method allowed for activation of the lymphatic capillaries, which exist in abundance at the dermal layer of skin.
During the late 1970s, an electrical engineer named Haruo Matsumoto began the study of acupuncture in response to the loss of his sight from glaucoma. During his studies, he developed his own unique style of acupuncture. Sawada and Hirakata theories were used by Matsumoto and developed into what we call DTLA (Deep Tissue Lymphatic Acupuncture).*
Patients can expect to have the practitioner in the room with them the entire time, while the practitioner uses their sense of touch, and patient feedback, to diagnose and treat. Other modalities used may include gentle Shiatsu, cupping, and herbal or dietary recommendations.
*This history has been been written by Alexander Audette, a student of Haruro Matsumoto
New Patient Visit - 60 minutes
A comprehensive intake is completed, along with traditional tongue and pulse diagnosis. All health systems are questioned as Traditional East Asian Medicine looks for patterns when creating treatment protocols.
After the intake is finished, the appointment includes a treatment plan, acupuncture treatment, as well as any herbal, dietary or lifestyle suggestions.
Follow-Up - 60 minutes
Acupuncture follow-up includes a review of all pertinent signs and symptoms, tongue and pulse diagnosis, and a treatment.
“Thank you for everything. For your support,
your knowledge, the talks, the laughs - most of all for the positive energy and faith in me.”
RATES (NO HST!)
“So I think it’s been decided your incredible ability to
connect with people is your super power.”
NEW PATIENT VISIT - $125.
Intake & acupuncture treatment.
FOLLOW-UP - $125.
Review of signs and symptoms & acupuncture treatment.
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For Practitioners
Safety is King / Bedside Manner is King / Results are King
In that order. Confidence in treating patients is something that is built up over time, but I know the process can be sped up. It happened to me. With the right mentorship and knowledge I believe a practitioner can become an expert in the field in about a year.
I have conversed with many acupuncturists who feel their education was sub-par. Also, they feel they weren’t prepared for the realities of running their own business. I had a top education followed by mentoring for over a year. When I started to hear the horror stories of many college and university students I wanted to help. No one should be made to feel they are lacking anything when pursuing a career in a healing field. Instructors should not be afraid to talk about what acupoints are truly effective in practice, and how budding acupuncturists might have to get a part-time gig to initially support their full-time gig.
The Strength of TCM Workbook and Membership were born out of compassion - for any practitioner that feels they are lacking the knowledge of disease treatment protocols. The digital downloads are designed to answer the many questions that I get: “How do I improve bedside manner?” “How many times should I treat a condition?” “What is a good way to interview a new patient?” and “What does the behind-the-scenes of running a practice look like?” I still have a few CEU certificate courses if you’d like to take them.
For some practitioners, new and aged, they are hitting plateaus in their practice. Because of this I have created the Acupuncture Plateau Buster. The ABP is basically a one-hour, no-holds barred, fired-up chat with me - your personal mentor, with all my years experience - in order to help you bust through any business plateaus, and, ultimately, help more people in your community.
Lastly, I love to speak. If you’d like me to speak for your next conference or association meeting talk to your regulation body. Get in touch with me. I am well versed on topics from ‘Heavy Hitting Acupoints’ to ‘Business Management.’ My speaking opportunities are lively and no questions are off limits.
I am here to help. You can always contact me via the contact form on this website.
Lastly, you can stay informed in regards to my upcoming projects by joining my email list.
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CONTACT ME
Would you like an appointment? Would you like to hire me to teach?
Please, drop me a line!