Acupuncture for PTSD

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)  is a debilitating issue that impacts people from all walks of life. It can occur after a person experiences significant trauma such as an accident, a traumatic birthing experience, a frightening diagnosis, being the victim of or witness to a crime and many more possible experiences. Many of my patients with PTSD report that while their therapy and medications are helpful, they feel like they are not experiencing as much relief from their symptoms as they would like. 

I often like to incorporate acupuncture as part of my treatment plan for PTSD. It has the advantage of improving symptoms while not interacting with any medications my patients may be on or causing uncomfortable side effects. 

In 2023, the Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience journal published a scientific review of acupuncture for PTSD. The researchers stated that acupuncture helps with core PTSD symptoms and adds benefit for those already taking medication or undergoing psychological therapy. 

In my practice I’ve found that acupuncture helps to improve anxiety, tension, sleep, mood, and many other symptoms for my patients with PTSD. 

Why does acupuncture help with PTSD?

Multiple studies over the years have shown that acupuncture may help to calm the nervous system—especially the components of the nervous and hormone systems that are involved in the stress response such as the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis). It seems to positively impact the way different parts of the brain talk to each other. It may reduce hyperactivity in parts of the brain involved in fear. PTSD is linked to increased nerve cell death in certain parts of the brain due to stress and acupuncture may protect nerve cells and prevent nerve death.

While it’s always challenging to study acupuncture in a research setting for various reasons, this information is exciting and promising. If you’re in Ontario and you have questions about acupuncture, book a free 15 minute phone consultation and we can discuss it further. My acupuncture services are incorporated into my overall treatment plan and are covered under naturopathic medicine benefits if you have them. 

Facial Acupuncture for Pimples, Acne and Scarring

Facial acupuncture has become increasingly popular in recent years. It’s something that I have incorporated into my practice because skin health can be a significant source of stress for people. One of the most popular conditions I treat with facial acupuncture is acne and acne discolouration scars (dark spots and red spots). I’ve seen facial acupuncture calm down active acne - i.e. reduce the number and intensity of pimples but I find it’s also great for correcting uneven skin tone from scarring.

Pimples come and go but one of the most frustrating things about acne is the dark or red marks that get left behind once the pimples go away. Many of my patients find facial acupuncture is helpful for reducing these spots of discolouration. After a few sessions, most patients report back to me that their skin looks more vibrant, more even, and that it feels softer and healthier.

The awesome thing about being a naturopathic doctor is that we never just focus on the skin when it comes to pimples. There are so many contributing factors to acne such as hormones, diet and stress. At each facial acupuncture session, I make sure we address these underlying factors so that we’re treating your acne from the inside as well as the outside.

Many of my acne patients find that they break out more in response to high stress. Because mental health is a core focus of my practice, using acupuncture to manage stress and anxiety is an obvious choice for me. During a facial acupuncture session, I’ll often include acupuncture points that promote relaxation and stress reduction. 

If facial acupuncture sounds interesting to you but you’re new to acupuncture or hesitant about it, read my FAQ article on facial acupuncture by clicking HERE. The more you know, the more comfortable you’ll feel diving into treatment.

If you feel like you’ve tried everything to clear your skin up without satisfying results, facial acupuncture may be the perfect next step for you.  

Should You Try the Naturopathic Anxiety Program?

When seeking out care, it can be hard to know if a practitioner or program is right for you. Below I compiled a list to help you decide if the Naturopathic Anxiety Program is a good fit for you. Of course, this is not a complete list. I’ve been running the anxiety program for a while now and these are the most common reasons why my patients feel the program is right for them. You don’t need all the items in the list to join the program. Even if just one of the points below resonates with you, the program may be a good fit.

The program may be for you if:

-          You are experiencing anxiety and want to add to your existing treatment plan (even if that plan involves medications, counselling etc.)

-          You’ve tried different treatment options and are still unhappy with your current levels of anxiety

-          You are experiencing anxiety and want to work on it for the first time

-          You are working with your MD to come off your anxiety medications and want extra support while doing this

-          You are experiencing an uncomfortable level of stress even though you don’t have a diagnosed anxiety disorder

-          You want to discover how natural and wholistic approaches can impact your anxiety levels

-          You want one-on-one care with recommendations tailored to your unique circumstances

-          You’re overwhelmed by the natural treatment options that are available for anxiety and you want science-based recommendations from a qualified practitioner

-          You want a quality treatment plan that is not too overwhelming for where you are at in your life right now

-          You experience anxiety all the time or just sometimes

-          Your anxiety is impacting other areas of your health like your digestion, your period, your skin, your energy levels, your sleep etc. 

If you have questions you want answered before deciding to do the program, book a free 15-minute consultation. You can also read the frequently asked questions about the program by clicking here.

The Anxiety Relief System FAQ

Does it actually work?

Every patient responds differently but the majority of my patients with anxiety benefit from the program and are happy they did it.

Can I do the program if I’m on medication?

Yes. I’ve worked with patients who are taking medication for their anxiety, patients who were taking medication in the past, patients who are working with their MD to wean off medication and patients who do not require medication. I always make sure that I recommend remedies that do not interact with your medications. 

Is this program beneficial for kids?

Yes. I’ve worked with many children who have anxiety. Most children are not open to acupuncture so in that case we can do acupressure or just have regular visits in which I will give my recommendations without doing any acupuncture. 

Will I have to take a lot of supplements? Which supplements will I be taking?

If it’s relevant to your case, I may recommend nutritional or herbal supplements. If you prefer to not take supplements and focus more on diet and lifestyle, that’s perfectly fine. I don’t recommend that a patient be on more supplements than they are comfortable with or supplements that aren’t relevant to their case. The supplements that I will recommend will be individualized to your unique symptoms and health history.

Will we do any testing? How much does testing cost?

It depends on your case. I can offer blood work if a relevant test has not been done by your other health care providers. Some insurance companies cover testing from naturopathic doctors in addition to covering appointments. Call your company to find out. The cost of testing varies depending on the test. I will always let you know the price before you pay for a test.

Can the program help with depression?

Many of the recommendations that are part of the anxiety program can also be helpful for depression.

What does each week involve?

Please click HERE to read a breakdown of the topics covered in the program.

What if I can’t come every week for 8 weeks or I don’t want a program format?

Some of my patients love the structure of the eight week program. Others prefer a less structured approach. If you need support for your anxiety but you want a more flexible appointment format as opposed to an eight week program, I offer this option as well.

Can I pay for the entire program at once?

Naturopathic doctors in Ontario cannot collect lump-sum payments. You can pay for each individual session when you come in for it. The rates for the program are the same as my rates for any other naturopathic visit. To learn more about my rates click HERE.

How long are the visits?  

The first visit is always an hour. For follow up visits, I usually recommend hour long sessions if we’re doing acupuncture. If we’re not doing acupuncture or if hour long visits do not work for your budget or schedule, we can do half hour visits.

Do I have to come in person for the visits?

In addition to in-person visits, I offer phone and video appointments to anyone living in Ontario. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like to learn more about virtual appointments.

Is this covered by insurance?

These visits are covered under your naturopathic medicine coverage. You can call your insurance company to ask if you have coverage for in-person or virtual naturopathic medicine.

If you still have more questions about the anxiety program, you’re welcome to set up a free 15-minute consultation to go over those questions.

Acupuncture for Hot Flashes and Other Menopause Complaints

There are two types of menopause transitions that I typically see. For some women, it’s relatively smooth sailing. For others, it’s a frenzy of heat, sweating, irritability, insomnia, mood swings and feeling completely fed up. For some, these symptoms only last a year or two. Others feel like they’ve been dealing with these symptoms for years after their period stopped.

I like using acupuncture as a tool to help women with these symptoms. Several studies have shown that acupuncture makes hot flashes less intense and less frequent. Some studies show that even after you stop acupuncture, the benefits continue.  

You may be wondering, if acupuncture helps women, why isn’t every perimenopausal and menopausal woman doing it? It seems like some women benefit a lot from acupuncture, and some don’t benefit as much.

One study found that one group of women noticed an 85% reduction of hot flashes. A larger group of women (about half) notice a 50% reduction of hot flashes. And then there was a group of women who only noticed a 10% reduction of hot flashes initially but this later went up to 23%.

This same study tried to figure out why there was such a wide variety of responses to the acupuncture. It concluded that women who benefited from acupuncture for hot flashes had sessions more often. They had roughly 8-9 sessions within the first 8 weeks. The study also found that women with more severe hot flashes tended to respond better to acupuncture.

So, more sessions increases your chance of success. Also, I like to increase the odds of success by adding certain herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, diet and lifestyle changes to the treatment plan.

Acupuncture also does a good job of improving other symptoms beyond hot flashes that go hand in hand with perimenopause and menopause like depression, anxiety, irritability, insomnia and pain. As a naturopathic doctor who focuses on mental health, that’s always exciting to see!

You don’t have to suffer through your menopause. You have far better things to do than worrying about your next hot flash or bout of anxiety. Get the support you need to thrive during this transition.

How Acupuncture Reduces Anxiety and Improves Mood

You’ve heard about acupuncture before. You’ve seen it on TV and you know its origins are pretty ancient. You’ve heard it can help with aches and pains. But did you know acupuncture can help with anxiety and mood as well?

If you’re feeling held back from living your life happily because of your mood, I hear you. I hear it from my patients too when I first meet them. They don’t feel like themselves any more. Their relationships are strained. They can’t cope with work. All because of their anxiety or low mood.

Can acupuncture really provide an answer? In my experience, acupuncture is a powerful tool to add to a broader treatment plan for managing anxiety and mood. But a lot of people can’t quite wrap their heads around it. How does sticking needles in different parts of the body lead to a change in mood? How does it work?

The bottom line is that scientists are still trying to figure that out. There are numerous studies showing that acupuncture reduces anxiety and symptoms of depression but we’re still trying to figure out what is going on inside the body during and after a course of acupuncture treatments.

Here are some insights that we know so far:

• Brain MRI scans show that acupuncture is able to improve interactions between different parts of the brain in a way that improves mood

• Acupuncture seems to benefit parts of the brain that play a role in motivation and reward

• Acupuncture positively affects the activity of dopamine and GABA which are both brain chemicals that help keep you calm and happy

Essentially, acupuncture may be able to help the brain and nervous system function in a healthier way and this in turn helps with mood and anxiety levels. Acupuncture likely works in other ways that are not fully understood yet.

Another obstacle to acupuncture for some people is fear of pain. People are worried that it hurts. Most of my patients actually enjoy acupuncture and look forward to their sessions with me. After a couple sessions, my patients tell me that they feel more “balanced” and better able to cope with stress and anxiety. And the results last well after the session has ended.

Acupuncture really can take your treatment plan to the next level. It’s also covered under your naturopathic medicine benefits. If you have any questions about it, you’re welcome to book a free 15 minute phone call and we can chat more.

Acupuncture to Reduce Smoking, Drinking and Other Cravings

Do you have any habits or addictions in your life that you wish you could get rid of? Almost everybody has some sort of habit they struggle with. For some it’s stress-eating, nail biting or constant cell phone checking. For others it’s smoking, alcohol consumption or gambling.

Feeling like you can’t control behaviours like these can be incredibly frustrating. You may be fully aware of the damage that some of these habits do to your health and that awareness may make you want to quit but it doesn’t always make it easier to quit. These habits can rob you of your time and your wellbeing and leave you feeling helpless and sometimes even embarrassed.

How Acupuncture Can Help

As a naturopathic doctor, I’m licensed to perform acupuncture and I have found it to be a valuable tool for many conditions. Acupuncture has been used to manage addictions in hospitals and treatment programs for over thirty years in North America and around the world. The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association developed a protocol that is the most commonly used protocol in these settings. Most of the research on this protocol revolves around reducing smoking and alcohol consumption but ongoing research is exploring how it can reduce other unhealthy habits.

Though the studies of this acupuncture protocol have had mixed results, many researchers agree that acupuncture can be useful for reducing addictions when combined with other treatments. I certainly don’t recommend this as a solo treatment, but I’ve had success using it when combine with other interventions like lifestyle changes, counselling, herbal and nutritional supplements or medications. The best combination of treatments will be different for everyone. I also like to combine this protocol with other traditional acupuncture points depending on your unique symptoms and health status.  

Historically, acupuncture was found to make quitting addictive habits easier by reducing withdrawal symptoms, cravings, stress and irritability and improving wellbeing, sleep and energy. In my own practice, I’ve found acupuncture can indeed make quitting habits like smoking easier. I have even successfully used it to help with food addictions but using this acupuncture protocol for food addictions has not been scientifically studied to my knowledge.

The Catch

If you’re thinking this is too good to be true, now’s a good time to talk about the catch. I find that acupuncture will not make somebody who is unwilling or not ready to quit a habit suddenly able to quit. I have only found it to be helpful for those who are ready to take action to quit and want support to make the quitting process less difficult. It is very important to understand that the acupuncture won’t do the work on its own. It’s meant to be an aid to help you as you do the work.

Breaking habits can be hard. If you’re ready to leave an unhealthy habit behind, get as much support around you as possible. This will increase your chances of success. Get your health back, get your time back, get your sense of self-command back and let your bad habit become a thing of the past.  

Facial Acupuncture FAQ

Does it actually work? Almost all of my patients have been happy with their results.

How many sessions do I need? 5-10.

When will I start seeing results? Usually by the 3rd session - earlier for some people!

Does it hurt? It feels like little pinches on the skin. Most patients agree that it is not a very painful experience.

Is it covered? If you have naturopathic medicine coverage, you care will be covered under that. When I do facial acupuncture, it’s not just about the skin. I also incorporate acupuncture points for addressing other concerns (e.g. stress, sleep, anxiety) and we work on improving your overall health. This wholistic approach to health (and to skin care) is the basis of naturopathic medicine.

Where do you put the needles? I insert them in different regions of the face. I can also put needles in different acupuncture points on the body to help with your other health goals (e.g. digestive issues, stress, anxiety, poor sleep and so on).

Is there anything in the needles? No. Nothing is injected. The needles stimulate your own skin to boost circulation and trigger a healing response.

How long are the sessions? 30-60 minutes.

Will it make my skin worse if I stop doing it? No. Facial acupuncture does not make your skin dependent on it.

What do I do if I want to ask more questions before starting? Book a free 15-minute consult by clicking the button below.