I am often asked by patients what made me decide to study and practice TCM and acupuncture. I tell them their question is all wrong. It's not about WHAT inspired me to leave conventional medicine in search of a better way to help people. It's not one specific event, or book, or lesson that lit my passion for this journey and this form of medicine. It's WHO. It's because of her. My mom. Today marks the 10 year anniversary of her death. As painful as that day was, it doesn't co

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) summer is the season of upmost yang. Yang is vibrant, energetic, expansive, expressive. It is a time full of life, of zest, of activity. Spending most of the year holed up at home due to the dark Canadian winters, it makes sense that we would go all out all as soon as the sun starts setting later than 4pm! The warmer weather and longer days means our time away from the office is filled with gardening, camping, sporting events, pool partie

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) is a common condition that is characterized by pain and jaw dysfunction. TMJ is used to describe a wide range of conditions associated with jaw pain and restricted jaw movement. While TMJ isn't life-threatening, it can negatively impact a person's quality of life, causing bouts of insomnia, stress, pain and disability. It's estimated that up to 30 percent of the world's adult population suffers from TMJ, most of whom are between the a

How the NADA protocol helps treat addiction NADA, which stands for the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, was established in 1985 to promote the NADA protocol acupuncture treatment for addiction. The non-profit organization promotes advocacy and the use of a non-verbal, pharmaceutical free approach to behavioral health. The protocol uses five specific acupuncture points on the ear to treat addiction and to be an alternative to methadone. The NADA protocol differ

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There are more than 80 chronic illnesses that are immune related including rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, celiac disease and one I personally struggle with, hashimoto thyroiditis. Autoimmune diseases result when the immune system mistakenly attacks its own body’s tissues. Immune deficiency is more common than most people think; around 20 percent of the population suffers from some form of an autoimmune disorder, acco

Meridian Yoga is a form of yoga that actively works with the same meridian system as acupuncture. This form of yoga uses poses to activate and balance energy in the 14 meridian paths. These meridian paths are known as the energy pathways in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), they allow your body and energy to flow and function properly. Meridian Yoga will improve the function of your organs and allow your body to be in its healthiest state physically and mentally. Below are

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the heart can be considered the most important organ in the body. All other organs connect to the heart and help the heart function as best it can. According to TCM, regulated blood circulation depends on the heart’s energy flow, or Qi. When the heart does not have enough Qi and is deficient in Yang, it can result in poor blood circulation, weak pulse, palpitations and chest pain. A Heart Yang deficiency is associated with coldness. When Yang

Suffering from depression can make you feel hopeless, frustrated and like your quality of life will never get better. Many feel that prescription medications don’t help, and simply mask the problem instead of helping solve it. If you are dealing with depression, it is easy to get discouraged about your treatment options. Below are ways that you can naturally reduce your depression and get you back on a road to a healthier mind and body. Acupuncture It is believed that acupun