Acupuncture
Hayley uses acupuncture to effectively treat the following conditions of which she has special interest in. Click on the condition to learn more about how acupuncture helps.
Menstural Cycle: painful, heavy, light, spotting, amenorrhea, PMS
Fatigue
Insomnia
Pregnancy & Fertility
Perimenopause & Menopause
Constipation & Diarrhea
Gua sha
Gua sha involves using a small, smooth edged tool to stroke the skin for a variety of healing purposes. ‘Gua’ means to scrape or rub, and ‘sha’ refers to the reddish skin color that appears. A treatment lasts anywhere from 3 – 15 minutes and is often combined with acupressure and/or acupuncture to enhance its effectiveness.
Gua sha is used for pain, stiffness, achiness, respiratory inflammation, histamine intolerance, fever, detoxification, metabolic dysfunction, poor circulation, for emotional release, and cosmetic purposes. Gua sha effectively regulates the immune system as a preventative treatment during cold and flu season. Western mechanisms behind its healing effects include the flushing of inflammatory cytokines, lactic acid, and histamine, increased circulation, and upregulation of the antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase.
Cupping
Cupping is an ancient Chinese medicine therapy that uses suction by means of heat and formed glass to pull muscle tissue upwards. A variety of sized cups may be applied on the back and/or moved along the affected meridian (channel pathway) to improve blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, detoxification, to expel colds, and to release fascia.
When a cup is left in place on skin or moved this strongly brings blood to the area and localized healing takes place. Cupping is most commonly used for pain and tension, respiratory disorders, joint aching, dysmenorrhea, constipation, detoxification, and water retention. The technique relaxes the nervous system and improves healing and recovery time too.
Acupressure
Acupressure is derived from Tui Na, also known as Chinese massage, is a physical manipulative therapy that includes both gentle and vigorous techniques such as general massage, acupressure, and traction. The various manipulations of Tui-na are of the earliest TCM treatment modalities recorded in human history, as early as the Shen Nong era (3000) BC.
Acupressure involves using pressure, massage, tapping, and other manipulations on acupuncture points and meridians along the body for desired physiological and psychological shifts. This therapy can help ease sore muscles, correct posture, improve circulation, detoxification, and release blocked emotions.
Moxibustion
Moxa therapy (moxibustion) involves burning a dried and aged herb called Mugwort on skin. Mugwort is in shaped loose form or rolled into a cigar-like stick and is applied directly or indirectly on acupuncture point and meridian surfaces. Moxa warms points and meridians, invigorates the flow of Qi and blood, tonifies yang energy, strengthens the body-mind, and works to dispel pathogenic influences. The infared heat that is penetrated into the skin layer stimulates ATP production in the cells
Moxa is especially effective for fatigue, stress-related illnesses, circulatory disorders, menstrual disorders and infertility, treating babies in breach, sleeping difficulties, and strengthening the digestive and immune function. It is a great remedy for damp climates such as Vancouver island as it works to warm and dry physical manifestations of cold and damp. I recommend starting moxa therapy in the summer to boost yang qi preventatively before cold and flu season arrives.
Nutritional Consulting
Nutritional consulting encompasses the art and science of food as a foundation for health and the development of individualized dietary plans to optimize one's unique health state.
A variety of holistic influences that affect assimilation and absorption of nutrients are taken into consideration, such as: constitution, eating habits, lifestyle, mental-emotional health, genetic predisposition, digestive health, allergies and intolerances, environmental and self-care chemicals, metabolic requirements, and sleep quality.
After a comprehensive assessment, types and amounts of whole foods that are right for you are suggested. Both eastern and western nutrition philosophies are taken into account. Recipe books, food preparation tips, self-care strategies, and referrals, may be a part of your overall wellness plan. Please visit my Resources page for cookbook recommendations.