ACUPUNCTURE

About

Acupuncture has gained enormous popularity in Victoria as a modern therapy to improve performance and rehabilitation as well as treat a variety of ailments. There are many different systems now in practice but Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was the first modality to use Acupuncture to naturally treat pain and disease.

The body is like a web of interconnected tissues, substances and energies. Every bone, tendon, and organ is surrounded by connective tissue which ties back to the whole organism. When we speak of ‘meridians’ or ‘energetic pathways, we are speaking not of some intangible magical substance. Rather, we understand the ways in which this connective tissue communicates within the body, and how even the smallest cells are affected by each other – how they manifest in the function of the entire organism.

By adding acupuncture to your health regime, you can expect to regain overall function and mobility as well as improve your own flow and quality in life. Acupuncture can also assist through various stages and life transitions as well as support fertility, pregnancy and menopause.

Conditions treated:

Mental Health and Stress (Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, and Addictions)
Menstrual Wellness (Peri- Menopause, PMDD)
Acute and Chronic Pain
Fertility support
Digestive Challenges
Headaches, Migraine
Concussion Recovery
Insomnia and Sleep Disorders
Fatigue and Energy
Hay fever and Allergies
More

Modalities

Acupuncture needling:

The Acupuncture needle is like a direction we give to the body. It says to the body, ‘move this here’ or ‘build this here’ or, ‘you’re going the wrong way, let’s fix that’. When the body is confused, weighed down or weak, it needs a little assistance, motivation and direction to perform its regular functions. This is a very simple way of looking at how Acupuncture works and why it works, although the medicine and pathophysiology in Chinese Medicine is, in actuality, quite complex.

A needle is a tool in the hands of an Acupuncturist. This tool can help us connect with dysfunction as well as touch significant sources of strength in a patient. A needle can reduce tension in tight muscles, direct energy to areas of emptiness, subdue overactivity and move stagnation. When body functions aren’t working, when there is pain, or when there are irregular symptoms, we know there is something blocking the natural ability of the body, or that the body is merely not strong enough due to more chronic depletion. Through the use of Acupuncture, we can regulate body substances if they are overactive or deficient; we can encourage the removal of pathogenic substances that are causing congestion or stagnation; and we can nourish and tonify diminished substances to rebuild the body’s foundation.

Cupping:

Cupping is one of the original ancient forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine. We use glass cups of various sizes. These cups we safely warm up with fire ( that never comes near you). This warming of the glasses produces a soothing suction that we then make contact with the body. As the warmed glass comes into contact with the body – the suction gently lifts the fascia externally, creating room for blood, lymph, and Qi circulation.

There is a saying that says :

“Where there is stagnation there will be pain. Remove the stagnation, remove the pain”

Cupping’s purpose is to create movement with these three vital substances blood/lymph/Qi to promote wellness.

It can support healing for:

Pain relief
improved range of motion
reduced inflammation
immunity to colds/flus
removing toxins
easing anxiety
livening depression

Gua Sha:

Another ancient Traditional Chinese Healing modality to release stagnant toxins, heat, qi and/or blood. ‘Gua’ , meaning scraping. ‘Sha’ means the redness, release of bruising left behind, releasing the toxins and/ or stagnation. A thin jade or quartz crystal tool is used, in combination with oil to release any tension on the muscles. We are all hearing about the craze of Gua Sha for facial rejuvenation, this modality moves lymph up to create a more hydrated and lifted face.

Medicinal Gua Sha is an excellent compliment to Fire Cupping for:

facial rejuvenation
mobility
tension release
chronic pain

What to expect in your first visit

During your initial intake and consultation, your acupuncturist will ask you to describe your current condition or chief complaint, as well as discuss your health history, energy levels, appetite, sleep habits and general lifestyle. Traditionally a tongue and pulse diagnosis is made to confirm any internal patterns underlying your primary areas of concern. Your acupuncturist will recommend the best course of treatment for your condition and answer any questions you have before you begin your session. Overall you can expect to feel lighter and more relaxed with a marked improvement to your condition.

Depending on the severity of your chief complaint, your acupuncturist will recommend a consistent treatment plan when necessary. Otherwise, the benefits of Acupuncture can be applied as needed to promote a deep sense of calm and tranquility.

Introducing Morgan Rigney R.Ac

Morgan Rigney Registered Acupuncturist Victoria BC

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Morgan (she/her) is an Acupuncturist registered with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of British Columbia. Morgan moved from Central Alberta to Victoria, BC to pursue her education in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in 2016. She studies acupuncture for 4 years at Pacific Rim College in Victoria, BC, and completed her board examinations in 2020. She spent most of her working life in customer service, administrative and management roles for healthcare providers, and naturally found her way into the profession.

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Meet Brianna Grant R.Ac

Black and white eadshot of a smiling young woman against a white wall. She has her hair up.

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Brianna (she/her) is a Registered Acupuncturist in Victoria in good standing with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC. She graduated in 2023 from Pacific Rim College with a Diploma of Acupuncture, and began her practice in December 2024. She completed 2200 hours of study in Traditional Chinese Medicine that integrated Western anatomy and physiology, patho-physiology and biomedicine.

Brianna was born and raised on Vancouver Island and holds a deep reverence for the natural world and all its intricate patterns and elements. She believes a key to our health and well-being is to cultivate an intimate relationship with the wild, natural world and integrate it into daily life. In her treatments, Brianna utilizes these principles to treat the root cause of each condition, and tailors her treatments to each person’s unique health concerns, needs, and goals. She respects that the path to heating is very nuanced and unique to each individual and offers diet and lifestyle guidance, with daily practices and rituals for her clients to take home from the treatment room.

Brianna brings forward knowledge from her academic career and wisdom from life experience. She has a special interest in digestive disorders, gynecological and reproductive conditions, sleep, stress management, and nervous system regulation. Since beginning her practice in 2024, she has taken a special interest in Women’s Health and will be pursuing further training in this area this fall/winter.

Outside of the clinic, Brianna enjoys hiking, surfing, dancing, playing music, and cuddling with her cat Nootka.

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