Acupuncture in Victoria, BC

Drug-Free Pain Relief and Treatment through Traditional Chinese Medicine right here in Victoria BC.

Reliable Acupuncture in Victoria

Old age, injuries, or physical and mental health issues can significantly impact your quality of life. If you are looking for drug-free pain relief and treatment through traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture in Victoria, then Synergy Health Centre is the right place for you. Acupuncture can be used to treat a number of health concerns, both chronic and acute. Through our therapies, we strive to help you improve your quality of life and reduce pain-causing symptoms. We carry out a thorough assessment to get to the root of the problem.

Call us to schedule an appointment. The members of our team will be happy to assist you.

What Is Acupuncture?

Traditional acupuncture ensures the body is treated as a whole integrated physiological system. As the body resolves any physical pain and tissue recovery, traditional acupuncture is the integration tool which can also bridge the mind/body/emotional connection. All aspects of the psyche and body must be balanced and harmonized for full and lasting healing to occur.

Photobiomodulation (PBMT) or Low-level Red Light Therapy is used on targeted areas to promote optimal cellular regeneration, reduce inflammation and restore function. This is an emerging modality and a great asset to injury rehabilitation.

Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an integrative treatment that addresses the functional return to health in the body by stimulating communication between the muscular and nervous systems. Listed below are some of the benefits of getting acupuncture treatment.

Pain relief: This is the most common feedback from acupuncture sessions and typically occurs immediately within the treatment and can last for a period of time afterwards.
Reducing symptoms: Over the course of successive treatments, pain relief has a lasting compound effect and reduces the experience of symptoms of injury as tissue healing takes place.
Supporting soft tissue and muscular strains: This happens by increasing blood flow and circulation to injuries which is critical to restore after any injury to promote a full recovery.

Benefits to Motor Vehicle Accident Victims

MVA clients may also face the necessity of supporting the body and mind to integrate the experience within themselves. Shock has the potential to disrupt, displace and inhibit the consciousness or psyche from settling back within the body, oftentimes described as “I just haven’t felt right since the accident.” This integration can be facilitated through two specific acupuncture treatments that address removing the disruption of energies caused by the shock and trauma. Even a seemingly minor accident might spur a gradual onset of symptoms over a longer period of time, therefore, all clients who have experienced an MVA, even if they don’t present with any acute symptoms, can massively benefit from a few harmonizing acupuncture sessions.

Symptoms Treated:

Neurological and muscular pain
Strains and sprains
Whiplash
Back and shoulder pain
Neck pain
Lower back and hip pain
Neurological symptoms – sciatica, numbness and tingling
Limited range of motion – stiffness and general tension
Sleep disruptions – pain-based or general difficulty achieving a state of rest
Concussion – both mild and severe symptoms
Dizziness or vertigo
General body pain – non-specific or unsettling sensation in the body
Shock and trauma
PTSD
Anxiety and depression
Emotional upset related to the accident experience
Decreased energy levels

Acupuncture is also effective in addressing any other symptom that correlates with the timing of the accident. This is because the holistic nature of acupuncture is capable of treating your physical, mental and emotional health. For more informative content, please read our blog, which is regularly updated to enhance your knowledge.

Acupuncture MVA Recovery Program

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) has implemented many changes to better support motor vehicle accident victims, and as of April 2019, acupuncture performed by Traditional Chinese Medicine Registered Acupuncturists is included within the scope of the care plan for Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) victims. The inclusion of acupuncture within care plans will greatly support the recovery of both the physical body and the mental-emotional psyche of those recovering from MVAs. The regulatory effect of acupuncture on the whole system enhances circulation, directs the focus of tissue regeneration to injured areas and calms the nervous system to restore the optimal relaxed state for healing and recovery. Acupuncture is a gentle treatment able to excel in acute injury presentations often before other soft tissue manual therapies and is a huge asset to preventing chronic pain cycles before they set in.

Why Choose Synergy Health Centre for Your Acupuncture Treatments?

Each MVA client has had a unique experience of not only their accident but also what their life was like before and afterwards. Without addressing the holistic nature of a client and their health, it is possible to miss key healing opportunities which help actualize the potential of a full recovery after an MVA. Within the treatment plan created for your specific case, a combination of the following therapies will be utilized to best address your symptoms and optimal recovery.

The Forward Steps MVA Recovery Program has been created by our Registered Acupuncturist, Heather Giasson, who has a passion for helping clients integrate healing and alignment within their bodies, mental/emotional selves and spirit. Forward Steps MVA Recovery Program supplies you with multifaceted support during your recovery that includes pain relief and calming the nervous system to transferable mindfulness practices helpful in times of stress and uncertainty.

In choosing Synergy Health Centre for your acupuncture care, you also gain the specialized referral network to chiropractic, physiotherapy, kinesiology and massage therapy to benefit your recovery if indicated by your symptoms.

Call us to learn more about our acupuncture treatment in Victoria.

Acupuncture Program Therapies and Techniques:

Musculoskeletal-based acupuncture: This is highly beneficial to those having experienced the high velocity, trauma and jolting energies of an MVA and is an extremely effective pain-management technique. Trigger points and chronic tension in muscle tissues are very effectively managed and resolved with this style of acupuncture.

Cupping: This is a Chinese medicine practice to fascinate better circulation through tight tissues and supports the healthy circulation necessary for any soft tissue injury. Cupping specifically can be helpful with whiplash symptoms to restore proper circulation to and from the neck and head.

Electrical stimulation: This helps reset the neurological signal to muscle tissues that can be disrupted due to traumatic injury and force to muscles. It also decreases pain and increases circulation to injured tissues.

TCM shock and trauma: This treatment addresses any difficulty moving forward from an MVA in the psyche. The protocols use acupuncture in order to restore homeostasis in the nervous system, which can be disordered by shock and restore the rest and digest resonance of the nervous system.

Emotional integration: This helps remove any blockages to healing from unresolved emotions arising from the injury, pain or situation itself. 5 Element acupuncture is applied in this case along with poly-vagal theories to reduce the fight or flight response during heightened emotional experiences.

Essential oil therapy: This assists in the home care aspect of treatment plans to allow for continued focus on injury sites to support healing. Heather is a Registered Aromatherapist and uses that knowledge integrated with acupressure techniques for a stronger holistic healing effect.

Testimonials for Acupuncture in Pain and MVA Recovery:

Highly Recommend

“I was rear ended in a car accident March 2018 and I was injured in my neck, back and hip. I came to Synergy Health looking for help with pain relief to regain my strength and mobility. I started with Chiro and have been working with Kevin S since the accident. Kevin is very up to date within his profession and looked for unique ways to keep my recovery moving forward. Because my nervous system was serious impacted, Kevin recommended I see Heather G. for Acupuncture. Heather is incredible ! she has been a significant influence in my recovery. Heather works with my core energies. We talk (report in) at the beginning of each session, she deeply listens and is completely in tune with my mind and body as she creates an intensely specific treatment for that day.

HOLLY S… BALLS! Heather is passionate and caring! I highly recommend her.”

Brenda D. Victoria

Knowledgeable and Caring

“I recently started seeing Heather for acupuncture and I can’t believe the results after only a few treatments. My fear of needles has always prevented me from trying acupuncture but I finally decided to go for it. After just a few minutes of speaking with Heather I felt less anxious and by the time I left I was already looking forward to my next appointment. In just a few days I went from being in a significant amount of pain to almost no pain at all!

Heather is knowledgeable, caring and makes you feel comfortable and at ease during your treatment. Not only will she make you feel better but she will also help you understand what is going on in your body and why. I’m so glad that I was able to overcome my fear of needles because I will definitely be booking in regularly with her!”

Jessica D.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How much will ICBC pay per session?

Currently as of May 1, 2021, ICBC contributes $108 towards the initial appointment and $91 towards 11 subsequent treatments. In total ICBC supplements $1109 towards Acupuncture treatments.

Is there any cost to me?

Patients will owe $20 for the initial appointment. There is no patient fee for the subsequent treatments. The client can submit to their extended health plans for reimbursement, so in most cases, there are no out-of-pocket expenses after extended health plans and if there is it is minimal.

Is ICBC the primary payer?

Yes, for all clients with an ICBC claims number ICBC will be the first payer of fees.

When can I start Acupuncture treatments after an accident?

As soon as your claims adjuster provides you with a claims number you call Synergy Health Centre directly to make your appointments or book online.

How long after an accident will ICBC cover acupuncture sessions?

Access to the 12 acupuncture sessions after an MVA is 90 days. This is why seeking treatment as soon as possible after an accident is important.

If I’m not recovered in those 12 sessions does coverage from ICBC stop?

Extensions can be requested and are approved on a case by case basis.

Are there any other fees beside the small cost per session difference?

Home care support may come in the application of Essential Oil Therapeutic lotions which are made to order and have a small cost. Otherwise no, there are no additional fees.

Is there any pain with acupuncture?

There is minimal pain with acupuncture, and if there is it is very short lived. The needles are extremely fine and are nothing like what it feels like to get an injection. Communication always occurs during the treatment so there is always an opportunity to ensure your comfort during the session.

How quickly will I see results?

Pain relief is reported most often at the end of the first session. This is why acupuncture is an amazing pain management support.

More information sources:

https://www.icbc.com/claims/injury/Pages/Default.aspx
www.joovv.com – www.bcaoa.org

Patients I refer to Synergy receive excellent treatment and professional advice. Synergy offers more than patient care from the front staff through to all the complimentary services.

Dr. Ewa Jussak-Kiellerman, MD Family Physician