Over the past 5000 years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has evolved into a comprehensive medicine that balances both the body and the mind. It is a holistic therapy that works at the root and branch of an illness to bring stability and wellness to each individual. Acupuncture is the one modality of TCM that is most commonly practiced in the western world. However, a Registered Acupuncturist may also incorporate Tui Na Massage, Herbal Medicine, Diet and Lifestyle therapy, Cupping, Moxibustion and other healing techniques into a treatment. Acupuncture has been recognized and proven affective by the World Health Organization (WHO) for many conditions. It is used to facilitate pain management, disease prevention, hormone regulation, fertility concerns, promote life-long vitality and more.

Perhaps the most critical step in receiving a treatment from an Acupuncturist is getting a thorough diagnosis. By focusing on the whole person, a diagnosis is tailored to not only alleviate symptoms (branch) of a condition but to determine the underlying cause (root) of the condition. To receive the best diagnosis, a practitioner will ask a series of in-depth questions, inspect the tongue and take one's radial pulse on each wrist. From these observations, the practitioner can piece together the most beneficial treatment for each individual. It is like putting all of the pieces of a puzzle together to see the whole picture.

The function of Acupuncture is to stimulate the body's energy, called Qi. The primary focus is to facilitate one's Qi to flow freely and with ease. Acupuncture does this by unblocking stagnation, strengthening the body and facilitating the body to heal itself from physical or emotional traumas. Qi circulates throughout the body in a mapped out sequence of meridian channels. There are 14 main meridian channels, each containing a number of acupoints. These acupoints are stimulated with disposable acupuncture needles. Using a positive and gentle approach, the goal of an Acupuncture treatment is to restore balance, improve the overall function of your body and enhance the body's recovery and immune system.

Reflexology Therapy is a healing art and science as well as a primary form of health care. Reflexology is the physical act of applying pressure to the feet, ears or hands with specific thumb, finger and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion. It is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body (macrosystem) on the feet, ears and hands (microsystems) with a premise that such work effects a physical change to the body by influencing the nervous system. The feet are the microsystem that when worked on deliver the best response to treatment as there are over 7200 nerve endings in the foot.

By gently stimulating the nerve endings of the foot, ear or hand (microsystem) a response is conveyed to the corresponding and relating gland, body part or system within the body (macrosystem) which delivers an increase in circulation and promotes the parasympathetic nervous system's function to reduce stress, rest and repair the body. In effect Reflexology Therapy assists the body's natural function to move toward and maintain equilibrium affecting the whole body as well as specific health concerns.

Swedish massage aims to rehabilitate injuries sustained in sports activities and motor vehicle accidents as well as in cases of repetative strain or chronic postural problems. Manual techniques include effleurage, (broad sweeping strokes) acupressure, lymphatic drainage, and deep muscle stripping or kneading are employed to improve circulation and enhance drainage to the injured tissues. Swedish massage serves to relax the patient, decreasing heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure while increasing circulation and decreasing inflammation. Gentle breathing and global relaxation techniques may also be used to enhance the treatment and help provide a total sense of well being. Individualized home stretches and exercises are often given so that each patient can help to maintain the changes gained during the treatment session.

"The practice of massage therapy is the assessment of the soft tissues and joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of soft tissues and joints by manipulation to develope, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function, or relieve pain" Massage Therapy Act, 1991

All our massage therapists are registered with the Nova Scotia Massage Therapy Association and have fufilled all the requirements of a 2200 hour program to become qualified in their field of expertise. Each therapist is also trained in First Aid and CPR for any emergency situation.

Manual Lymph Drainage is an advanced manual therapy technique developed in the 1800's in Europe by Dr. Emil and Estrid Vodder. It is recognized as the number one therapy for treating and maintaining primary and secondary lymphoedema. It has been used in the treatment of many other pathologies.

It is effective in the treatment of acute and chronic edema, which may include lymphoedema, edemas following strokes or local edemas of traumatic origin such as dislocations, tears and fractures, neuromuscular disorders and fascial dystortion, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, scleroderma, burns, scar therapy, acne, local chronic inflammation in the respiratory tract, sinusitis, allergies, bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, migraine, circulatory disturbances and digestive tract disorders.

MLD is a potent adjunct in cleansing the body's tissues of metabolic wastes, excess water, bacteria, large protein molecules and toxins. These toxic substances may build up after long term use of medications, anesthesia in post surgery recovery, or harmful or poisonous substances that have entered the body through exposure or ingestion.

Scientific studies have proven that the immune system is supported and boosted as a result of receiving regular MLD treatments. A sluggish lymphatic system increases the chance of chronic illness and disease.

MLD is very effective in countering the body's natural inflammatory response following soft tissue trauma. These include sprains, fractures, orthopaedic surgeries and replacements, and orthodontal surgery. As a basic rule, the less swelling that occurs, the less bruising and pain that will follow. If received in a timely manner, MLD can dramatically shorten the route to recovery.

Lymph drainage employs a gentle, rhythmical action which soothes the nervous system. It is an effective way to engage the immune system which enables it to work to it's full capacity.

Trager is an approach to movement education created and developed for 65 years by Milton Trager, M.D..

There are two aspects of the work: one is passive and the other is active. Utilizing gentle non-invasive, natural movements, the Trager approach helps to release deep seated physical and mental patterns and facilitates deep relaxation while increasing physical mobility and mental clarity. These patterns may have developed in reponse to accidents, illness or any kind of physical or emotional trauma including the stress of everyday life.

During the passive work, the patient is lying on a comfortably padded table and the practitioner moves the body in ways they would naturally move. The patient experiences the feeling of light, effortless movement. These movements are NEVER forced so there is no experience of pain or discomfort.

The active work, called Mentastics, maintains the table work which is passive. These are simple, active, self induced movements which you do at home following the treatment sessions. They have the same intent of releaseing deep-seated patterns. Because many of the effects of the Trager approach are cumulative, benefit is magnified by receiving a series of treatments.