Services
I offer a range of holistic therapies rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to restore balance, relieve discomfort, and support overall well-being, Each treatment is tailored to your unique needs, addressing both physical symptoms and the deeper root/energetic patterns behind each symptom.
Services of Acupuncture or Needleless Acupuncture may include Gua Sha, Cupping, Lifestyle and Dietary guidance, along with Auricular (Ear) therapy. Whether you’re seeking relief from pain, sleep issues, digestive imbalances, stress, or simply wish to maintain your health, these therapies are designed to encourage your body’s natural healing processes.
Acupuncture
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A gentle, holistic treatment rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine where fine, sterile, single-use needles are inserted into specific points along pathways called Meridians or Channels where Qi (energy) and Blood flow throughout the body. When this flow becomes blocked or imbalanced various illnesses can manifest.
Acupuncture points are located in areas rich of nerve endings, connective tissue and microcirculation. When activated they send signals through the body’s nervous system to help reduce inflammation, release endorphins (natural pain-killers), and promote a shift from ‘fight or flight’ into a more restful, healing state. Research shows Acupuncture can regulate brain activity, hormone levels, and improve immune function.
Many people leave a session feeling calmer, more centered, and deeply reconnected to themselves.
Initial Visit - 75 mins - $105 (health history, intake form, and first Acupuncture session)
Follow up - 30 mins - $65 (for one area of concern, can include other modalities)
Follow up - 45 mins - $75 (for more than one areas of concern, can include other modalities)
Follow up - 60 mins - $85 (for more than one areas of concern with more focus on modalities)
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Acupuncture helps restore your body back to it’s natural balance (homeostasis). By restoring balance to the body we are helping treat a variety of conditions right at the root; treating anything from pain and tension to hormonal imbalances to stress.
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A small prick on insertion is common, however, I prefer to maintain a painless technique by refining and practicing my needling skills. My goal is to always provide a pain free, calming Acupuncture session to every patient.
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To ensure you get the care you need I offer Laser Acupuncture which is non-invasive, acupressure based therapy that utilizes an infrared laser to simulate the acupuncture points. This can always be combined with modalities to help you get the most out of your treatments without the fear or phobia of the needles.
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Check with your health insurance plan to see if you’re covered for Acupuncture by a Registered Acupuncturist.
Direct Billing of your insurance company is available at the clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Modalities are included with Acupuncture and Needleless (Laser) Acupressure
Modalities
Cupping
Small silicone cups are placed onto the skin to create a vacuum-like suction which pulls the skin and tissues slightly upward. This suction helps increase blood flow, relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, reduce stress and promote relaxation.
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During a cupping session, you might feel a gentle pulling or tugging sensation on your skin. The cups may stay in place for a few minutes or be moved gently across your skin. Some people experience warmth or tingling during a cupping treatment, and a deep relaxation of tension and mental calmness afterwards.
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It’s normal to see temporary red or purple circles on the skin where the cups were placed, these marks are not bruises, instead are signs of increased blood flow and usually fade within a few days.
This can be prevented with sliding cupping.
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relieve muscle tightness and pain
to boost circulation and help increase recovery time
to relax and reduce stress
support overall wellness and energy flow
Laser Acupressure
Laser Acupressure is non-invasive, very gentle, and utilizes an infrared laser that helps to stimulate Acupuncture points along the body, by sending gentle light energy into the points. This helps to encourage the body’s natural healing processes, improving circulation, help rebalance the nervous system, and improve energy flow.
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Most people feel nothing at all during a session - maybe slight warmth or tingling in some areas, but it’s extremely gentle. It’s great for people sensitive to needles, or are more hesitant or fearful of needle-based treatments.
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Laser Acupressure helps with many of the same conditions as traditional acupuncture (stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, low energy, pain, inflammation, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, sleep problems, etc)
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People who are needle-sensitive or afraid of needles
Those looking for a more gentle treatment
anyone curious on trying laser “acupuncture”
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Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or photo-biomodulation, works through a gentle light energy that penetrates a few millimeters into muscle tissue. This works by:
stimulating cellular activity to produce more cellular energy (ATP)
increases microcirculation by bringing oxygen and nutrients to tissues while removing waste products (lactic acid)
reducing inflammation and pain by influencing chemical messengers and nerve conduction
supporting tissue repair and regeneration of muscles, tendons and nerves.
In Acupuncture terms this helps to activate the acupuncture point - each point has a specific function within the body, so stimulating a specific formula of points (even with a laser), can still offer the same benefits as a traditional acupuncture treatment.
Gua Sha
Gua Sha involves gently scraping the skin with an oil and a smooth-edged tool, usually made of Jade, Rose Quartz or a specialized stone. “Gua” means “to scrape” and “Sha” referring to the temporary redness or small spots that appear on the skin during treatment - a sign circulation is being activated.
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When the smooth-edged tool is stroked across the skin with oil, it creates a light scraping sensation - not sharp or painful, more like a firm massage that brings relief, warmth and deep relaxation to the body, while gradually releasing tightness. You may feel areas with “knots” or tension loosen as the circulation to the muscles increases.
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If you experience muscular tension or stiffness that isn’t easily relieved from massage, seeking natural pain relief, have poor circulation or lymphatic flow.
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The red dotted marks that show on the skin after a Gua Sha session is temporary and are a normal, healthy sign of circulation being activated in the area. The marks typically fade within a few days, leaving your muscles feeling lighter, looser, and with an improved range of motion.
Electro-Stimulation
Also described as Electro-Acupuncture. Acupuncture needles are inserted as usual, then small clips connect from the needles to a device that sends a gentle electrical current between several Acupuncture points.
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Electro-Acupuncture feels like a soft pulsing or tapping sensation in the area.
The strength is always adjusted to your comfort levels and never exceeds towards discomfort, sharpness or pain.
I am always monitoring electro-acupuncture comfort levels, and never leave the room during these treatments.
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Enhances the affects of Acupuncture by:
increasing circulation to the area
relaxing tight muscles
reducing inflammation and pain
stimulate nervous system to release endorphins
provide longer-lasting relief compared to needles alone.
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Chronic or Acute Pain (back, neck, shoulders, knees, arthritis)
Sports Injuries or muscle recovery
Neurological conditions (nerve pain, numbness)
Stress, fatigue
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People with a pace maker, or implanted electrical devices (the current could interfere)
In some cases with pregnancy
History of Seizures or Epilepsy (could trigger them)
TCM Dietary Therapy
Traditional Chinese Medicine Dietary Therapy views the foods we eat as medicine. What and how we eat directly affects the balance of our inner body’s landscape. Dietary Therapy is about choosing foods that support your unique constitution, lifestyle and current health needs.
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Each food found in our diet is understood by:
it’s Nature (warming, cooling, neutral) - which can change our constitution
Flavor (sweet, salty, bitter, spicy, pungent) which can impact our organs (positively and negatively)
and the food’s’ overall effect on the body (strengthening digestion, calming the mind, building fluids)
By eating specific foods found in our everyday diet, we can compliment acupuncture treatments through food alone. This can prevent future illness, and potentially halt current illnesses.
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boosting energy and vitality
supporting digestion and metabolism
balancing stress, mood, and sleep
strengthening the immune system
managing symptoms like bloating, fatigue or inflammation
preventing illness by aligning eating habits with the seasons and your body’s needs
prolonging the affects of Acupuncture treatments
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Rather than diet being a “one size fits all”, TCM dietary therapy is a personalized way of eating that works with your body and your current health concerns. It’s about finding balance and using food as a daily tool for healing, prevention and long term wellness.
Auricular (Ear) Therapy
Auricular or ear therapy focuses on the ear as a microsystem of the whole body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the ear is seen as a map - each point corresponding to different organs, emotions, or body parts. By stimulating these points, balance can be restored throughout the whole body.
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Stimulating the ear points sends signals to the brain and the nervous system, bringing circulation to those areas helping to regulate physical, emotional, and energetic imbalances.
This can be done with
Acupuncture Needles placed on specific points on the ears
Ear Seeds (tiny seeds on adhesive tape) that provides gentle, continuous pressure and stimulation.
I tend to needle ears on patients who are more comfortable with needles, and who are used to my needling.
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Stress, anxiety, emotional balance
Pain relief (back pain, headaches, arthritis, injuries, etc.)
Sleep and relaxation
Digestive support
Addiction recovery and cravings (smoking cessation, appetite regulation)
Hormonal balance and women’s health (including fertility, pregnancy, menopause)
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This treatment is usually quick and comfortable. With acupuncture there may be a quick prick of the needle, followed by tingling, and heaviness.
With ear seeds, it feels like a pressure while pressing the points at home. Some points may be tender while pressing due to internal imbalances, but tend to resolve after the internal imbalance has been balanced.
Contact
Interested in working together or have any questions? Contact me with the information below, or fill out the form and we will be in touch.
Kira Benoot, Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac)
Email: kira.benoot.rac@gmail.com
Balanced Care Clinic Front Desk Phone: 519 - 630 - 1654