WHAT WE TREAT
No matter where you are on your journey, we have the skills to help.
Our clinic is open for in-person and virtual appointments. To schedule an appointment with our Urban Wellness team please give us a call or book online.
Pain & Stress Management
Did you know that if we’re in pain, it can have a direct impact on our emotional well-being? Acute pain is often unbearable, sometimes crippling, but can treated quickly with allopathic medicine. But chronic pain is tougher to treat. It has been known to cause fluctuations in mood, resulting in emotional instability, anxiety and even depression. When our body sends out repeated distress signals, our hormones pump out stress hormones that keep our nervous systems stuck in a stress response. To heal ourselves we need to break out of this cycle. Acupuncture, breathwork and body work such as gua sha, cupping and tuina massage can help us relax and rest. This is where pain relief and recovery can begin.
Whether it’s learning how to incorporate anti-inflammatory foods or supplements, or getting localized treatments, our team has a variety of long-term strategies to help manage pain.
We’ve all endured stress in our lives; it’s a part of the human experience. However, we owe it to ourselves to find ways to mitigate our stress for both our physical and mental health. With some practice and an open mind, we have a myriad of solutions to help you find some much-needed peace. By accessing the parasympathetic nervous system, Acupuncture, bodywork and breathwork can help you achieve that mindfulness moment where you experience rest and rejuvenation simultaneously.
Our amazing practitioners are here to support you during these tough times and help you achieve a sense of calm and clarity.
Fertility & Pregnancy Support
Struggling with fertility goes beyond physical hardships. When conception becomes difficult, it’s easy to feel hopelessness and despair. These diagnoses can make us feel isolated and alone.
But help is ready and available. Many of our practitioners have years of experience, supporting and treating fertility issues. Using a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, lifestyle, and nutritional advice, we can help you to find easy and feel-good ways to optimize your fertility.
And for our pregnant patients, we offer solutions for a variety of issues from morning sickness to breech presentations and inductions, along with post-partum care.
We can help if you
- Have had a hard time getting pregnant naturally
- Have been diagnosed with
– Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS),
– Poor ovarian reserve,
– Endometriosis,
– Fibroids
– A medical conditions linked with infertility - Have had recurrent miscarriages
- Are using IVF or other medical fertility support
- Are worried about your age and want to support your body to maximize your chances of pregnancy
- Want to optimize your chances of becoming pregnant naturally or with assisted reproductive procedures
For those trying to conceive naturally, Chinese Medicine can
-
Regulate irregular cycles
-
Treat endometriosis, fibroids and/or PCOS
-
Help improve circulation to the reproductive organs and improve egg quality
-
Help “pin-point” ovulation and the best time to conceive
-
Help secure a pregnancy once you are pregnant
Men and Fertility
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs can help you if you have:
• Low sperm count
• Poor morphology
• Low sperm motility
• Low semen volume
• Impotence
• Low libido or erectile dysfunction
• Low testosterone
• Mechanical blockage
How long does it take and what to expect?
Egg and sperm development doesn’t happen overnight. It takes 3 months for a follicle to develop into a potential egg and 72 days for male sperm to develop. Everything that we do in those 3 months can help to contribute to the quality of the sperm and the eggs. Therefore, when we’re working with you, we usually say to try at least 3 months of treatment to really notice any changes.
Having said that, many of our patients start to notice changes right away and some even get pregnant before the 3 months is up. Not only are we working on helping you get pregnant and stay pregnant, we’re also trying to help you be the healthiest person you can be throughout this process. Treatments aim to strengthen your body and correct any imbalances that may be impeding conception. And when you become more balanced…you feel better!
When you seek treatment with us, we will look at all aspects of your life and take a detailed health history to determine where imbalances may lie, and then make the appropriate recommendations (diet, lifestyle, herbs and acupuncture) to restore equilibrium to your body. When balance is restored, the hormones needed for conception and pregnancy work together harmoniously.
IVF & IUI support
For those going through assisted fertility treatment (IUI’s or IVF) we can help:
- Improve quality and quantity of follicles
- Improve lining of uterus
- Reduce side effects form Western drugs
- Reduce stress associated with a cycle
- Strengthen immune system (or regulate if autoimmune conditions such as elevated NK assay levels)
- Increase the success of implantation
- Decreases chance of miscarriage once pregnant
- Improve male issues such semen quality and quantity
IVF Treatments
Acupuncture can be used safely and effectively during an IVF cycle. Many women use acupuncture to help improve their chances of conceiving while minimizing side-effects of some of the medications. Using acupuncture and TCM in conjunction with Western fertility treatments can be a highly effective in helping to increase success rates and helping to keep the couple healthy and strong in the process.
IVF Preconception Care
In the month before your IVF/ICSI cycle, we follow an evidence-based
acupuncture protocol to prepare your body for embryo transfer. 8 treatments before embryo transfer is optimal. These treatments can be spaced at one/week or twice a week during the 5 weeks prior to egg retrieval. But not to worry if you don’t have that much time, even getting a few treatments in before retrieval can still be very helpful. Research has shown that acupuncture helps improve the success rate of IVF/ICSI by:
- Improving blood flow to the ovaries and uterus
- Improving response to hormonal stimulation
- Alleviating possible side effects of fertility medications
- Improving the thickness and perfusion of blood to the uterine lining
- Calming the uterus to help prepare for and support implantation
- Reducing stress and promoting relaxation
For males with sub-optimal sperm parameters, we recommend regular acupuncture treatments during the three months prior to an IVF/ICSI cycle and then scheduling visits 2 times per week for the 2 weeks prior to your partner’s egg retrieval. These acupuncture treatments may be supplemented by the use of Chinese herbal medicine, dietary and lifestyle counseling and nutritional supplements.
IVF Embryo Transfer
On the day of your embryo transfer, we will do a relaxing and supportive acupuncture treatment before and after your transfer, right at the fertility clinic. This helps support your body in the IVF process and reduces the stress of having to race around trying to fit everything in.
There are very well-respected studies that show using acupuncture with IVF increases the success rate of the acupuncture group to 42.5%, compared with 26.3% in the control group, when treated with acupuncture before and after their IVF embryo transfer.
Pregnancy Support (first trimester)
Once you’re pregnant, we suggest continual support with weekly acupuncture treatments until 12-13 weeks. This helps to stabilize and support your pregnancy. This is especially important if you have had a previous miscarriage or with pregnancies conceived using IVF. The treatments are gentle, supportive and relaxing and help promote a healthy pregnancy.
Pregnancy & postpartum care
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture provide a safe, gentle and cost effective way to support your body through pregnancy. Not only can it help alleviate many problems that commonly develop during pregnancy, but it can also enhance your overall sense of wellbeing and health. TCM is also an excellent compliment to midwifery, doula and obstetrical care.
TCM can be used to treat specific issues during pregnancy such as morning sickness, pain and discomfort or to help regulate high blood pressure. It can also be used to help prepare for the birthing process as well as post-partum to help in recovery and re-balancing.
We can help you with your pregnancy concerns including:
- Threatened Miscarriage
- Morning sickness / Nausea
- Fatigue
- Back pain, sciatica and pelvic girdle pain
- Edema and Swelling
- Breech presentation
- Posterior presentation
- Birth Preparation & Labour Induction
- Pain Relief During Labour
- Postpartum Care
- Breastfeeding
Common uses for acupuncture and TCM during pregnancy:
Prevent miscarriage – Acupuncture and TCM can be very useful if there has been a history of miscarriage. Acupuncture and herbs help to prevent uterine contractions, stop spotting or bleeding, relax the body and also provide a stabilizing and calming function in the uterus.
Morning Sickness and strengthening digestion
For many women the digestive system becomes very sensitive. Acupuncture has been shown to relieve nausea and vomiting, treat heartburn, constipation and can even alleviate hemorrhoids.
Increase energy, reduce edema and improve circulation
By supporting the body to keep a healthy balance we can benefit energy and circulation–anything from general swelling and water retention to sinus congestion. This helps to create a more comfortable state so one is better able to enjoy pregnancy and the changes that go along with it.
Ease pain and discomfort
Pain and discomfort can show up through all stages of pregnancy. Acupuncture can help to ease pain including low back or sciatic pain, headaches or general body discomfort.
Regulate blood pressure
Elevated blood pressure can be a serious concern during pregnancy. Acupuncture can help regulate blood flow throughout the body helping to normalize blood pressure and decrease hypertension.
Insomnia & anxiety
For many women worry, anxiety and overall tension can increase with a pregnancy. Acupuncture can be deeply relaxing and can reduce stress for the mother and developing baby. It can help alleviate sleep disorders and it also allows the flow of energy to remain open which can help prevent post-partum depression.
Acupuncture has also been shown to be helpful for other conditions such as slow intrauterine development, lack of amniotic fluid, hemorrhaging, etc.
Fertility & Pregnancy Support
Struggling with fertility goes beyond physical hardships. When conception becomes difficult, it’s easy to feel hopelessness and despair. These diagnoses can make us feel isolated and alone.
But help is ready and available. Many of our practitioners have years of experience, supporting and treating fertility issues. Using a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, lifestyle, and nutritional advice, we can help you to find easy and feel-good ways to optimize your fertility.
And for our pregnant patients, we offer solutions for a variety of issues from morning sickness to breech presentations and inductions, along with post-partum care.
We can help if you
- Have had a hard time getting pregnant naturally
- Have been diagnosed with
– Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS),
– Poor ovarian reserve,
– Endometriosis,
– Fibroids
– A medical conditions linked with infertility - Have had recurrent miscarriages
- Are using IVF or other medical fertility support
- Are worried about your age and want to support your body to maximize your chances of pregnancy
- Want to optimize your chances of becoming pregnant naturally or with assisted reproductive procedures
For those trying to conceive naturally, Chinese Medicine can
-
Regulate irregular cycles
-
Treat endometriosis, fibroids and/or PCOS
-
Help improve circulation to the reproductive organs and improve egg quality
-
Help “pin-point” ovulation and the best time to conceive
-
Help secure a pregnancy once you are pregnant
Men and Fertility
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs can help you if you have:
• Low sperm count
• Poor morphology
• Low sperm motility
• Low semen volume
• Impotence
• Low libido or erectile dysfunction
• Low testosterone
• Mechanical blockage
How long does it take and what to expect?
Egg and sperm development doesn’t happen overnight. It takes 3 months for a follicle to develop into a potential egg and 72 days for male sperm to develop. Everything that we do in those 3 months can help to contribute to the quality of the sperm and the eggs. Therefore, when we’re working with you, we usually say to try at least 3 months of treatment to really notice any changes.
Having said that, many of our patients start to notice changes right away and some even get pregnant before the 3 months is up. Not only are we working on helping you get pregnant and stay pregnant, we’re also trying to help you be the healthiest person you can be throughout this process. Treatments aim to strengthen your body and correct any imbalances that may be impeding conception. And when you become more balanced…you feel better!
When you seek treatment with us, we will look at all aspects of your life and take a detailed health history to determine where imbalances may lie, and then make the appropriate recommendations (diet, lifestyle, herbs and acupuncture) to restore equilibrium to your body. When balance is restored, the hormones needed for conception and pregnancy work together harmoniously.
IVF & IUI support
For those going through assisted fertility treatment (IUI’s or IVF) we can help:
- Improve quality and quantity of follicles
- Improve lining of uterus
- Reduce side effects form Western drugs
- Reduce stress associated with a cycle
- Strengthen immune system (or regulate if autoimmune conditions such as elevated NK assay levels)
- Increase the success of implantation
- Decreases chance of miscarriage once pregnant
- Improve male issues such semen quality and quantity
IVF Treatments
Acupuncture can be used safely and effectively during an IVF cycle. Many women use acupuncture to help improve their chances of conceiving while minimizing side-effects of some of the medications. Using acupuncture and TCM in conjunction with Western fertility treatments can be a highly effective in helping to increase success rates and helping to keep the couple healthy and strong in the process.
IVF Preconception Care
In the month before your IVF/ICSI cycle, we follow an evidence-based
acupuncture protocol to prepare your body for embryo transfer. 8 treatments before embryo transfer is optimal. These treatments can be spaced at one/week or twice a week during the 5 weeks prior to egg retrieval. But not to worry if you don’t have that much time, even getting a few treatments in before retrieval can still be very helpful. Research has shown that acupuncture helps improve the success rate of IVF/ICSI by:
- Improving blood flow to the ovaries and uterus
- Improving response to hormonal stimulation
- Alleviating possible side effects of fertility medications
- Improving the thickness and perfusion of blood to the uterine lining
- Calming the uterus to help prepare for and support implantation
- Reducing stress and promoting relaxation
For males with sub-optimal sperm parameters, we recommend regular acupuncture treatments during the three months prior to an IVF/ICSI cycle and then scheduling visits 2 times per week for the 2 weeks prior to your partner’s egg retrieval. These acupuncture treatments may be supplemented by the use of Chinese herbal medicine, dietary and lifestyle counseling and nutritional supplements.
IVF Embryo Transfer
On the day of your embryo transfer, we will do a relaxing and supportive acupuncture treatment before and after your transfer, right at the fertility clinic. This helps support your body in the IVF process and reduces the stress of having to race around trying to fit everything in.
There are very well-respected studies that show using acupuncture with IVF increases the success rate of the acupuncture group to 42.5%, compared with 26.3% in the control group, when treated with acupuncture before and after their IVF embryo transfer.
Pregnancy Support (first trimester)
Once you’re pregnant, we suggest continual support with weekly acupuncture treatments until 12-13 weeks. This helps to stabilize and support your pregnancy. This is especially important if you have had a previous miscarriage or with pregnancies conceived using IVF. The treatments are gentle, supportive and relaxing and help promote a healthy pregnancy.
Pregnancy & postpartum care
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture provide a safe, gentle and cost effective way to support your body through pregnancy. Not only can it help alleviate many problems that commonly develop during pregnancy, but it can also enhance your overall sense of wellbeing and health. TCM is also an excellent compliment to midwifery, doula and obstetrical care.
TCM can be used to treat specific issues during pregnancy such as morning sickness, pain and discomfort or to help regulate high blood pressure. It can also be used to help prepare for the birthing process as well as post-partum to help in recovery and re-balancing.
We can help you with your pregnancy concerns including:
- Threatened Miscarriage
- Morning sickness / Nausea
- Fatigue
- Back pain, sciatica and pelvic girdle pain
- Edema and Swelling
- Breech presentation
- Posterior presentation
- Birth Preparation & Labour Induction
- Pain Relief During Labour
- Postpartum Care
- Breastfeeding
Common uses for acupuncture and TCM during pregnancy:
Prevent miscarriage – Acupuncture and TCM can be very useful if there has been a history of miscarriage. Acupuncture and herbs help to prevent uterine contractions, stop spotting or bleeding, relax the body and also provide a stabilizing and calming function in the uterus.
Morning Sickness and strengthening digestion
For many women the digestive system becomes very sensitive. Acupuncture has been shown to relieve nausea and vomiting, treat heartburn, constipation and can even alleviate hemorrhoids.
Increase energy, reduce edema and improve circulation
By supporting the body to keep a healthy balance we can benefit energy and circulation–anything from general swelling and water retention to sinus congestion. This helps to create a more comfortable state so one is better able to enjoy pregnancy and the changes that go along with it.
Ease pain and discomfort
Pain and discomfort can show up through all stages of pregnancy. Acupuncture can help to ease pain including low back or sciatic pain, headaches or general body discomfort.
Regulate blood pressure
Elevated blood pressure can be a serious concern during pregnancy. Acupuncture can help regulate blood flow throughout the body helping to normalize blood pressure and decrease hypertension.
Insomnia & anxiety
For many women worry, anxiety and overall tension can increase with a pregnancy. Acupuncture can be deeply relaxing and can reduce stress for the mother and developing baby. It can help alleviate sleep disorders and it also allows the flow of energy to remain open which can help prevent post-partum depression.
Acupuncture has also been shown to be helpful for other conditions such as slow intrauterine development, lack of amniotic fluid, hemorrhaging, etc.
Gynecological Health
Traditional Chinese Medicine has a 2,000-year track record for treating Gynecological issues. By integrating both the body and mind, we can effectively and gently achieve results with virtually no side effects.
Known for a treating a whole host of reproductive issues, TCM can be used in conjunction with Western medicine. And with our Naturopathic Doctors and Holistic Nutritionist on-staff, you can experience the best of both worlds under one roof.
See below how TCM can help with these common conditions.
Painful periods (Dysmenorrhea)
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be more effective at relieving menstrual cramps and pain than pharmaceutical drugs, according to some studies. Not only can it help with immediate pain, it can also help to alleviate pain long term.
Irregular Periods
Not everyone has a 28 day cycle – Anywhere from a 25-31 day cycle is considered ‘normal’ in TCM terms as long as it comes consistently at the same time every month. However, when women experience irregularity in their cycle (either skipping a period or two or experiencing a cycle that is sometimes early or sometimes late), it is considered a sign of imbalance in the body. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine have great success in helping to regulate periods and shortening/lengthening cycles when needed.
PMS
Unpleasant to experience on either end of it. For some women, PMS can be a mild sense of melancholy, irritability, mild bloating, or discomfort. For others it is a severe and often deeply troubling time that can seriously affect their quality of life. Treatments for PMS are a regular part of TCM and something we have great success in treating. Understanding where the imbalance comes from and customizing treatments with specific herbs, lifestyle suggestion and regular acupuncture significantly help.
PCOS
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome affect from 5-10% of women of menstruating age and is one of the leading causes of fertility issues today. For many women, the diagnosis leaves them feeling hopeless or at a loss as to what to do. Chinese Medicine, through herbs, regular acupuncture and a focus on customized dietary therapy has shown great success in treating PCOS helping women become pregnant naturally and helping to regulate their cycles. We work with this every single day in our clinic.
Fibroids
Often affecting up to 1 in 5 women, fibroids (myomas) can also impact fertility and other cycle issues including pain and bleeding. Regular acupuncture and herbal treatments over 3-9months as well as some specific dietary changes is an effective alternative to some of the other treatment options available today (including laparoscopy, myomectomy, hysteroscopy, hysterectomy and hormonal drugs).
Endometriosis
Affecting millions of women in north America and a leading cause for fertility issues in many women. Often linking to high levels of stress in women, it is a conditions where the presence of actively growing and functioning endometiral tissue is found in locations outside the uterus. Through regular acupuncture (usually focused in the last two weeks of a woman’s cycle), and a combination of herbs have been shown in recent studies to be able to reduce the body’s immune response to the endometriosis and alleviate symptoms.
Breast Health
Breast Tenderness, cysts, or other abnormalities of the breast can all be treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture.
Menopause
Menopause is not a disease! Nor does it have to be uncomfortable. Many women believe that hot flashes and insomnia are just part of aging. Although they may be common to many women, it doesn’t mean their normal. In Chinese Medicine, it is believed that Menopause (nicely termed ‘the second spring’) is a normal transition that can be navigated quickly, easily and coolly. Chinese herbs and acupuncture can help to facilitate and effectively easy the transition.
Postpartum Care
In Chinese medicine, the “postpartum period” refers to the four months following labor and delivery. It is the first month that is believed to be the most important and the crucial time to take special care to help your body heal and recharge. It is not until the end of the 4th month after delivery that full recovery of the energy and blood lost is thought to be complete. There are some general tendencies to imbalance that may be expected during this time, which can be mild or severe, brief or prolonged dependent on the woman and their particular case. Simple things can be done to strengthen the woman and help recovery including dietary support, herbs or moxabustion as well as acupuncture if needed. It’s normal to have some adjustment period after having a baby, but if you’re suffering please seek help. There is a lot that can be done to help!
Holistic Beauty & Wellness
We all want to look good and put our best foot forward. But from a holistic approach, real beauty starts from the inside out. When our digestion is humming, our circulation is flowing and our stress is low, we naturally look and feel better. Our beauty philosophy is based on the concept that if your internal systems are working optimally it will reflect in your skin, your hair and will shine brightly from your eyes. Wellness and self-care include proper hydration, solid nutrition, good sleeping habits and stress management. If you’re struggling with any of these areas, we have treatments and strategies that will help you to unlock your inner glow for all to see. Our facial rejuvenation treatments include acupuncture both in the body and face, facial gua sha, cupping and tuina massage to help achieve balance and beauty.
Holistic Beauty & Wellness
We all want to look good and put our best foot forward. But from a holistic approach, real beauty starts from the inside out. When our digestion is humming, our circulation is flowing and our stress is low, we naturally look and feel better. Our beauty philosophy is based on the concept that if your internal systems are working optimally it will reflect in your skin, your hair and will shine brightly from your eyes. Wellness and self-care include proper hydration, solid nutrition, good sleeping habits and stress management. If you’re struggling with any of these areas, we have treatments and strategies that will help you to unlock your inner glow for all to see. Our facial rejuvenation treatments include acupuncture both in the body and face, facial gua sha, cupping and tuina massage to help achieve balance and beauty.
Achieve your optimal level of health
Our clinic is open for in-person and virtual appointments.