Acupuncture

Acupuncture basics; what you need to know

From an Eastern perspective, acupuncture is meant to encourage the smooth flow of qi (energy) through the 14 channels (meridians) which surge through the body, each relating to a particular organ and/or bodily function. When this flow of energy is blocked somewhere along one or more of the channels, this obstruction is thought to manifest itself as illness or pain within the body.

From a Western perspective, acupuncture works via the nervous system. When a needle is inserted under the skin, there is stimulation of high-threshold, small-diameter nerves in the muscle, which send messages to the spinal cord and then activate three centers- the spinal cord, midbrain and the pituitary, releasing neurochemicals (endorphins and monoamines) and hormones back down through the body. Depending upon which of the roughly 400 or so points were strategically chosen by the acupuncturist, the neural stimulation will create a specified effect. For example, neurochemicals block “pain” messages, while other points can stimulate a targeted hormone.

Although The Garden specializes in Mental Health issues and Reproductive/ Gynecological Health and Fertility, acupuncture is highly effective for a variety of conditions.

Stress (and eventual Burnout) is currently viewed as a global epidemic of our society, creating a host of issues including anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbances and setting a foundation for disease and disharmony to flourish. Embracing acupuncture, herbs and self-care practices often combined with talk therapy or CBT, offer a personalized plan for healing and restoration.

Endocrinology issues such as slow metabolism, hypo/hyperthyroidism, diabetes prevention/ management, fertility, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), menopause and adrenal fatigue.

Acupuncture is also very effective at treating pain of any kind, whether it be muscular, skeletal, neurological (nerve-related) or arthritic. At The Garden, we also practice a very gentle form of IMS, (intramuscular stimulation) a unique treatment to ease tight, tense muscles, especially those that have been unresponsive to other therapies.

What could I expect from a typical treatment?

Typically, the first treatment would begin with a detailed intake and consultation, followed by an acupuncture treatment. It is also customary for the acupuncturist to take your pulse and examine your tongue, as both of these are used as important diagnostic tools.

Upon insertion, you may feel a slight prick as the needle enters the skin, although the needles are so thin that most patients hardly feel them at all. What the patient will typically feel is a sensation of mild heaviness or tingling as the nervous system picks up the stimulation of the needles. Though this may feel a bit weird at first, remember, this is a good thing. This sensation tells both the patient and the acupuncturist that change being elicited in the body.

Acupuncturists

Heather Bracken, H.H.P., R. Ac.

Acupuncturist

Kiera Gadallah, R. Ac

Acupuncturist

Leanne Keyko R. Ac

Registered Acupuncturist & Massage Therapist

Insurance Providers and Benefits:

Contact your insurance provider today to inquire about your acupuncture benefits, always asking whether or not a doctor’s note is required for reimbursement.

What can Acupuncture Treat?

Women’s and Men’s Reproductive Health Issues such as;

  • Pregnancy preparation
  • Miscarriage Prevention/ Maintaining healthy pregnancy
  • Gestational Diabetes
  • Infertility (Irregular Cycle, PCOS, Anovulation, Blocked Fallopian Tubes, etc…)
  • Menstrual cycle irregularities
  • Painful periods
  • PMS symptoms such as irritability, mood swings, breast tenderness, acne, etc…
  • Menopausal Symptoms such as Hot Flashes, Night Sweats, Insomnia, Anxiety, Poor Memory, Low libido
  • Lowered testosterone, low sperm count, motility and morphology

Mental Health Issues:

  • Depression
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Panic Attacks
  • PTSD
  • Postpartum Depression
  • Addictions (Smoking Cessation, Alcohol, Narcotics, Over-Eating, etc…)

Musculoskeletal Disorders:

  • Muscle Tension/ Weakness
  • Back Pain/ Lumbar Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Shoulder Issues including joint inflammation, rotator cuff injuries, shoulder separations, etc…
  • Knee Injuries
  • Sciatica
  • Nerve disorders
  • Joint Pain/ Inflammation
  • Arthritis
  • Fibromyalgia

Common Imbalances such as:

  • Headaches/ Migraines
  • Low Energy
  • Sleeping Disorders
  • Weight Loss/ Reducing Cravings
  • Diabetes
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Cystic Acne
  • Digestive Disorders such as IBS, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, ulcers, etc…

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Kiera Gadallah, R. Ac

Registered Acupuncturist

  • Women's Reproductive Health
  • Mental Health
  • Digestive Disorders

“I believe that lifestyle, diet, and emotional health are the driving force to a healthy life. When one aspect is out of balance the natural ebb and flow within us is disrupted. I wants to create a safe space to allow harmony and balance back into our busy lives.” 

About Kiera Gadallah:

Kiera recently graduated from the Acupuncture Program at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, AB. Throughout studying Traditional Chinese Medicine for the past three years, she has taken a special interest in women’s health, mental health, and digestive disorders.

Kiera supports individuals in connecting with their mind, body, and spirit. She is passionate about helping patients navigate the ever-changing aspects of their lives while maintaining harmony and balance within.

Outside of the clinic, Kiera can be found with her nose in a book, camping and kayaking, and exploring the outdoors with her dog Freddy.

Heather Bracken, H.H.P., R. Ac.

  • Mental & Emotional Health
  • Women's Health, including Cycle Regulation, Fertility, Pregnancy, Postpartum, Perimenopause and Menopause
  • Chakra-Based Acupuncture and Reiki Exploration

"As a practitioner of Holistic Health, I feel my life’s purpose is to encourage and hold space for personal awareness and self-discovery to arise in my patients by holding them accountable to their hopes and dreams for a more fulfilling and healthy life.”

About Heather Bracken:

By promoting an attitude of internal awareness, personal discovery and self-care, it is her ambition to support others in achieving their goals and reach their highest potential on all levels.

With over 6 years of combined educational studies at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta and two diploma programs under her belt, Heather is certified as a Registered Acupuncturist, Holistic Health Practitioner (specializing in Western Herbology) and Reiki Master. Having practiced in the alternative healthcare field for over 15 consecutive years, Heather works in combining her modalities to create unique and specialized treatment sessions for each one of her patients.

With over 6 years of combined educational studies at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta and two diploma programs under her belt, Heather is certified as a Registered Acupuncturist, Holistic Health Practitioner (specializing in Western Herbology) and Reiki Master. Having practiced in the alternative healthcare field for over 15 consecutive years, Heather works in combining her modalities to create unique and specialized treatment sessions for each one of her patients.

Heather’s mantra serves as her life’s purpose; to encourage, support and empower individuals along their chosen path towards better health and well-being by facilitating the body’s natural ability to heal. By promoting an attitude of internal awareness, personal discovery and self-care, it is her ambition to support others in achieving their goals and reach their highest potential on all levels. Heather believes that disease is not to be viewed as a conditional life sentence, but rather as an imbalance within the mind, body and Spirit that can be corrected and brought back into a state of balance and harmony.

One of the foundational components of Heather’s practice is the study of neuroscience and neuroplasticity aka: the inner workings of the nervous system and the inherent ability of neurons (or nerve cells in the brain) to adapt to injury, disease or disharmony such as chronic stress, addiction, anxiety, depression, etc… by restructuring and rewiring themselves to stimulate healing and recovery. With enough willingness, perseverance and dedication, it is Heather’s unwavering belief that the ability to heal is always possible.

Heather’s areas of specialization include Mental Health, Metabolic Disorders, Gynecology/ Obstetrics and Esoteric (Chakra-Based and Spirituality-Minded) Acupuncture.

Leanne Keyko R.Ac Registered Acupuncturist, RN (non-practicing), Reiki Master/ Energy work practitioner
  • Mental and emotional health
  • Digestive Health/Gut-Brain Health
  • Women’s Health
  • Energy Work/ Reiki
  • Facial Rejuvenation.

"I believe that deeper understanding and connection to self allows us to maintain a more
balanced state and ultimately be more engaged in life. Through developing relationships with my patients, I am able to offer uniquely designed treatments to facilitate deep rest and relaxation, alleviate stress, restore balance and support the body’s innate capacity for healing."

About Leanne Keyko:

"I believe that deeper understanding and connection to self allows us to maintain a more
balanced state and ultimately be more engaged in life. Through developing relationships with my patients, I am able to offer uniquely designed treatments to facilitate deep rest and relaxation, alleviate stress, restore balance and support the body’s innate capacity for healing."

Leanne has an extensive background within health and wellness spanning nearly two decades. Fueled by a deep curiosity to understand people, the body and this human experience, her career has been an ever-evolving journey. Beginning with Kinesiology and then Nursing, she gained experience within metabolic and neurological disorders, obstetrics and women’s health, as well as adult and pediatric mental health. Although Nursing afforded her many valuable skills and opportunities, there was always a deep sense that something was missing. For years
Leanne felt drawn to Eastern philosophy and energy-based healing modalities. It was ultimately within this realm that she experienced the greatest success within her own health and wellbeing.

Inspired by personal experiences and wanting to share these practices with others, she completed the Diploma in Acupuncture, including a 700-hour residency, at the Alberta
College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Two deeply held beliefs guide Leanne’s approach in the treatment room:

The first being that our internal world and personal experience is deeply connected to and impacted by the external world, and that the influence of each upon the other cannot be separated. The second is belief in the innate power of the body to heal itself. Understanding and embodying these principles have been some of her most powerful learnings. Supporting patients to explore this
and build capacity to prevent or minimize health concerns is a key goal within her treatment plans. Through building meaningful relationships and applying a multi-facetted approach, Leanne provides deeply restorative treatments to rebalance the body, mind and spirit. Treatment plans not only alleviate symptoms but also uncover and address the root of imbalance. She aspires to empowers others with knowledge and tools to create lasting change and support their health and wellbeing far beyond the treatment room.
Leanne’s unique background and expertise support her in addressing a variety of concerns
including:

-Mental and emotional health
-Digestive Health/Gut-Brain Health
-Women’s Health
-Energy Work/ Reiki
-Facial Rejuvenation.

She also has a keen ability to work with adolescent patients to support menstrual cycle regulation and emotional wellbeing.

To find out more about Leanne and her approach visit www.dovetailwellnessco.com