2904 31st Avenue, Vernon, BC, Canada
Integrating Acupuncture and Somatic Experiencing® Therapy
Elysium: A place of peace and well-being.
Pregnancy
Traditional chinese medicine, Acupuncture,
Traditional chinese medicine, Acupuncture,
- Acupuncture may support fertility by helping to reduce stress, regulate the endocrine system, and promote blood flow to the reproductive organs. Fertility treatments such as IUI or IVF may also benefit from being used in conjunction with Acupuncture.
- Acupuncture can be a safe and beneficial treatment during pregnancy when provided by a qu
- Acupuncture may support fertility by helping to reduce stress, regulate the endocrine system, and promote blood flow to the reproductive organs. Fertility treatments such as IUI or IVF may also benefit from being used in conjunction with Acupuncture.
- Acupuncture can be a safe and beneficial treatment during pregnancy when provided by a qualified practitioner with appropriate training in prenatal care.
- During the early stages of pregnancy, Acupuncture may help reduce stress, fatigue, pain, and nausea. As pregnancy progresses, it can be helpful in managing common discomforts such as aches and pains, digestive concerns, swelling, and heartburn, while also supporting relaxation, sleep, and emotional well-being.
- In the third trimester, Acupuncture may be used to help prepare the body for birth by stimulating specific points intended to support relaxation, promote circulation, and encourage the baby to settle into an optimal position for birth.
- Preparing for birth with Acupuncture may help support the body's natural readiness for labour and can contribute to a more comfortable and positive birth experience.
Traditional chinese medicine, Acupuncture,
Traditional chinese medicine, Acupuncture,
Traditional chinese medicine, Acupuncture,
- Acupuncture can be effective in treating many acute and chronic painful conditions and may help reduce the need for over-the-counter pain medications.
- Conditions such as headaches, migraines, low back pain, nerve pain, menstrual discomfort, muscle pain, injuries, and more may respond well to Acupuncture treatments.
- Extremely fine needles a
- Acupuncture can be effective in treating many acute and chronic painful conditions and may help reduce the need for over-the-counter pain medications.
- Conditions such as headaches, migraines, low back pain, nerve pain, menstrual discomfort, muscle pain, injuries, and more may respond well to Acupuncture treatments.
- Extremely fine needles are inserted along specific pathways at points where “Qi,” or vital energy, comes closer to the surface of the body. Acupuncture may help relieve pain by stimulating the body's natural pain-relieving mechanisms, including the release of endorphins.
- Acupuncture has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. While short-term, acute inflammation is a natural and healthy protective response to injury, prolonged or excessive inflammation can contribute to pain, numbness, and reduced mobility.
- Acupuncture may help reduce inflammation by addressing stagnation and promoting healthy circulation and blood flow.
Skin and Beauty
Traditional chinese medicine, Acupuncture,
Skin and Beauty
- Cosmetic Acupuncture is a modern approach rooted in an ancient tradition. As we age, the production of collagen and elastin—proteins responsible for keeping the skin firm and resilient—naturally decreases. The skin becomes thinner and less elastic, contributing to the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. Lifestyle, diet, str
- Cosmetic Acupuncture is a modern approach rooted in an ancient tradition. As we age, the production of collagen and elastin—proteins responsible for keeping the skin firm and resilient—naturally decreases. The skin becomes thinner and less elastic, contributing to the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. Lifestyle, diet, stress, and age can all influence the appearance of our skin over time.
- Traditional Chinese Acupuncture takes a holistic approach to supporting healthy aging. Points are selected on both the body and face to promote overall well-being and support the body's natural processes.
- Cosmetic Acupuncture may help reduce stress, support healthy digestion and sleep, and promote overall well-being. Locally, fine needles stimulate the facial tissues and muscles, supporting a lifted and toned appearance. Needles may also be placed along fine lines and wrinkles to create tiny micro-injuries in the dermis, stimulating the body's natural healing response and encouraging collagen production. Results typically become noticeable over a series of 6–12 treatments.
- Christy has received additional certification in Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture.
Services
Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese Acupuncture can be used to address a wide variety of health concerns. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, our vital energy, known as “Qi,” flows throughout the body along distinct pathways called meridians. When there is an obstruction or imbalance in the flow of Qi, disharmony may arise and contribute to pain and illness.
Acupuncture uses specific points along these meridians, where Qi is more accessible near the surface of the body, to help restore balance and support the healthy flow of energy. Acupuncture needles are extremely fine and typically cause little more than a brief, tiny pinch when inserted.
Acupuncture is commonly used to address many types of pain, including back, hip, and shoulder pain, tendonitis, arthritis, nerve pain, and headaches. It may also be used to support individuals experiencing digestive concerns, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, anxiety and depression, insomnia, PMS, menopause-related symptoms, pregnancy-related concerns, and postpartum recovery.
Trying Acupuncture for the first time can make some people nervous, but many patients are pleasantly surprised by how relaxing and comfortable treatments can be. For children, infants, and individuals who do not respond well to needles, non-invasive point stimulation methods may be used as an alternative.
Cupping
Cupping is a form of traditional therapy that has been practiced for thousands of years and is one of the oldest forms of manual therapy. In recent years, cupping has gained popularity, particularly among athletes, as a treatment for muscle and tendon pain and injuries.
Small glass cups are heated with a flame and strategically placed on the skin to create suction, drawing the underlying tissue upward. This creates an effect that is often described as the opposite of massage, as the tissues are lifted rather than compressed.
Cupping can be used as a stand-alone treatment or combined with Acupuncture. It may be used to address pain and muscle tension, promote relaxation and circulation, and support recovery from physical strain. Cupping can be applied to many areas of the body, depending on the individual's needs.
Tui Na / Massage
Therapeutic Massage is often used in conjunction with Acupuncture or cupping treatments. Tui Na is a modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine used to address patterns of disharmony within the body. The term translates to “Push and Grasp.” Tui Na helps promote circulation, relieve muscle tension, and release areas of the body that feel “stuck.”
Christy draws on her training and experience in massage therapy to inform her Acupuncture and Tui Na treatments. While massage therapy is not offered as a stand-alone service, she incorporates hands-on techniques and insights from massage therapy when appropriate to complement Acupuncture and create a well-rounded treatment addressing both the physical and energetic aspects of the body.
Somatic Experiencing®
Somatic Experiencing® (SE) is a body-based approach to working with stress and trauma. It looks at how stressful experiences affect the nervous system and how those experiences can continue to show up in the body long after the event has passed. These patterns can influence how we experience pain, tension, energy, sleep, digestion, and overall well-being.
SE helps bring awareness to these physical responses in a gentle and gradual way, without needing to revisit or retell the details of a traumatic experience. By paying attention to sensations, breathing, movement, and other signals from the body, we can begin to support the nervous system in returning to a greater sense of balance.
Christy incorporates SE into her Acupuncture treatments, combining this nervous-system-informed approach with Traditional Chinese Medicine. Together, these approaches can help support the body’s natural ability to regulate, release tension, and respond to stress, while addressing the physical symptoms and patterns that may be contributing to a person’s overall health concerns.
About Christy
Christy completed the three-year Acupuncture program in 2010 and the two-year Massage Therapy program in 2006 at MacEwan University. Combined with her trauma therapy training in Somatic Experiencing® (2026), this education allows her to offer clients a unique mind-body approach to care.
Drawing on principles from Traditional Chinese Medicine, massage therapy, polyvagal theory, and Somatic Experiencing®, Christy takes an integrative approach to health and well-being. She considers the interconnectedness of physiological processes, nervous system functioning, and psychological well-being, supporting clients experiencing pain, tension, stress, and chronic or complex health concerns.