Categories > Mind Body Medicine

Community Acupuncture

Location: Alberta Reproductive Centre (ARC)
#102 – 17203-103 Ave NW
Day: Friday each week
Time: 1:30 – 4:30 PM

BOOK ONLINE HERE

Currently open to ARC patients, whether you are trying to conceive assisted or unassisted, at the beginning of your journey or in treatment.

We have teamed up with ARC to make acupuncture more accessible. Our community-based group setting & lower cost invites ARC patients to experience the benefits more easily.

What is Community Acupuncture

Did you know that acupuncture is traditionally offered in shared healing spaces & group settings in Asia?

Our community acupuncture is a modern interpretation of a centuries-old Eastern healing tradition. 

It is an accessible and affordable alternative to conventional acupuncture settings. This group acupuncture approach brings individuals together in a shared space, promoting both community support and individual well-being.  

Join others who are facing similar fertility challenges for acupuncture in our quiet, safe, & discreet group setting. Where we can share in a sense of collective well-being, support and community. 

Benefits of Community Fertility Acupuncture:

Accessibility

  • Our group setting facilitates overcoming cost barriers.

Regular & Consistent Treatment Leads to Increased Success

  • Accessibility allows for regular & consistent treatments, leading to higher success rates.
  • Studies show that clinical pregnancy rates are significantly higher in groups that have received courses of multiple sessions of acupuncture during IVF, when compared to control groups.
  • Research shows that acupuncture leads to improved clinical pregnancy rates & live birth rates in people undergoing IVF.

Community Support & Connection

  • Know that you are not alone in our unique atmosphere of shared support & collective healing.

FEES

Initial Community Fertility Acupuncture Session (45-60mins) $60
Follow up Community Fertility Acupuncture Session (45-60mins) $60
Pre-paid Package of 6 Community Acupuncture Sessions (6x 45-60mins) $300

BOOK ONLINE HERE

Whole Person Fertility Care Guide

Exciting announcement!

We are collaborating with Alberta Reproductive Centre (ARC) to offer Whole Person CARE Guidance.

At ARC, they understand the importance of personalized and comprehensive support throughout the emotional and medical process of your fertility journey.

That is why we have teamed up with them to offer fertility care including the following services to all ARC patients.

Introducing WFH’s Alda Ngo, the ARC Whole Person CARE (Coordinator and Reproductive Education) Guide: your Compassionate Coordinator on the Path to Parenthood at ARC.

Embarking on the journey to parenthood can be both exciting and challenging. At ARC, they understand that fertility care is not just a medical process; it is also deeply personal and emotional. That is why they are proud to introduce a dedicated Whole Person CARE Guide, a compassionate coordinator committed to supporting you every step of the way.

Together, ARC and WFH recognize that growing your family is a profoundly meaningful human experience. We are also aware that trying to create a healthy pregnancy can bring up challenging thoughts & emotions, as well as a sense of loss of control.

We want to nurture your sense of agency throughout the process, because we see that you should be in charge of your fertility journey.

Your Personal Advocate:

As your personal advocate and liaison at ARC, Alda brings a wealth of experience and a genuine commitment to holistic fertility care. She will ensure that your journey to parenthood is physically supported and emotionally empowered.

Alda is not just a guide; she is your trusted advocate throughout your fertility journey.

Comprehensive Support Tailored to Your Needs:

The Whole Person CARE Guide goes beyond the traditional role. Alda will help you identify your fertility wellness goals as well as explore & navigate all the additional care options that are available to you.  

Tailored Key Services offered by our Whole Person CARE Guide at ARC:

  1. Personalized Care Plan: She will work with you to create a personalized fertility plan that addresses all aspects of your unique fertility wellness needs & goals.
  2. Information & Education: She will provide clear information about fertility treatments, procedures, and potential challenges, to ensure you are well-informed and empowered to make confident decisions.
  3. Wellness Integration: She will provide you with information about curated supportive service options that are accessible to you. For example: counselling, acupuncture, Registered Dietitian, support groups, mindfulness, massage & yoga.
  4. Coordination of Care: She will serve as a liaison between you and your holistic medical team, streamlining communication and ensuring a seamless experience throughout your fertility treatment process.
  5. Empowering Emotional Support: She will offer a compassionate ear, ensuring you feel heard and supported, while helping you navigate your treatment plan options to create a positive experience.

How to Book

If you are a patient at ARC, please call the front desk at (587) 442-0461 to book a FREE appointment with your Whole Person CARE Guide.

TCM Heart Wisdom

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the heart is not just an organ but a hub of vitality.

Seat of the Shen (Spirit):

In TCM, the heart is considered the emperor of the body, housing the Shen or spirit. It’s the seat of consciousness, emotions, and the radiant spark that animates our being. Nourishing the heart is akin to nurturing our innermost selves.

Circulatory Harmony:

TCM sees the heart as the orchestrator of smooth energy and blood circulation, promoting vibrant health. Linked with vessels, the heart influences both physical circulation and the flow of energy and emotions.

Emotional Equilibrium:

TCM recognizes the intimate connection between the heart and emotions. Joy is the emotion associated with the heart, and an imbalance may manifest as excess joy or, conversely, lack of joy. Acupuncture and TCM aim to restore emotional equilibrium for overall well-being.

Acupuncture Harmony:

Through acupuncture, we aim to promote balance within the heart and the entire body. Acupuncture points associated with the heart play a vital role in restoring harmony and enhancing overall well-being.

To learn more about how supporting the body through a TCM lens can benefit you, contact us for a free 15-minute discovery call.

Image: @Kellyknaga

Finding Hope in Healing

Embarking on the journey of healing after a pregnancy loss can feel like navigating uncharted waters. We want you to know that you’re not alone, and there’s a supportive community here to walk with you through the process.

Time and space 

Allow your time yourself to grieve: there is no right or wrong way to grieve and there is no timeline for healing. It’s okay to feel a wide range of emotions from sadness and anger to confusion and numbness. Give yourself permission to mourn.

Be patient with yourself: healing is unique and an individual process. Be patient and gentle with yourself as you navigate this difficult journey. Your strength is immeasurable.

Connection and community support 

Lean on your support system: Reach out to your partner, family, and friends. Share your feelings with those you trust. Talking about your loss can be a crucial step in the healing process.

Connect with others: Reach out to support organizations, online communities, or local groups that focus on pregnancy loss. Connecting with others who have similar experiences can provide comfort.

Seek professional help: Consider speaking to a therapist, counsellor, or support group specializing in pregnancy loss. They can provide valuable guidance in a safe space to express your emotions.

Take Care

Take Care of Your Physical Health: Ensure you’re getting proper rest, nutrition, and hydration. Your body needs time to recover, both physically and emotionally. 

Self-Care Is Essential: Take time for self-care, whether it’s through meditation, gentle exercise, reading, or simply resting. Prioritize your emotional and mental well-being.

Memorialize and Remember

Create a meaningful way to honour your baby’s memory. This could be through a memorial service, planting a tree, lighting a candle, or keeping a journal of your thoughts and feelings.

Contact us

Whether you’re here for guidance or to extend a comforting hand to those in need, we’re honoured to be a part of this compassionate and supportive community.

Contact us to explore options for gentle next steps towards healing.

National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month

In the gentle embrace of October’s autumn, we pause to acknowledge a profound and often silent journey that touches the hearts of countless families. October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month—a time to unite, remember, and offer solace to those who have faced the unimaginable.

For those who have known the depths of loss, we want you to know that you are not alone. Your grief is valid, your pain acknowledged, and your precious babies remembered.

In our acupuncture clinic, we witness the incredible strength of those who walk this path and the unwavering love that forever connects them to their little ones. We stand with you in your grief and in your healing journey.

To those who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy, a child, or a dream of parenthood, we extend our deepest compassion and support. Your stories, your courage, and your resilience inspire us daily.

This month and every month, we honour the memory of the little souls who left us too soon and stand alongside those who continue to carry them in their hearts.

If you or someone you know needs support during this challenging time, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our clinic is here as a safe and nurturing space for you.

Let us create a world where love and empathy shine brightly, where healing is not a destination but a continuous journey, and where the strength of our community knows no bounds.

If you have had a recent preganncy loss, contact us for more information about how we can support you.

Low Cortisol Levels and Stress Adaptation

Cortisol and Stress

Many of us have heard that having high cortisol levels can be damaging to our health, but what about having low cortisol levels? Studies show that low cortisol levels, or hypocorticolism, can be linked to long term exposure to stress.

During stress, the body adapts by increasing levels of cortisol to push the body to respond to danger (whether the danger is real or apparent). But if the stress response persists (like in the case of chronic stress), these elevated cortisol levels are unable to fall back within normal range & the body’s cortisol baseline level changes.

Chronic Stress and Hypocorticolism

After prolonged time of elevated cortisol levels, there is a fail-safe mechanism in the midbrain that tries to rebalance the hormone levels. For example, the amygdala and hippocampus can become less responsive, thus lowering levels of cortisol in the body. This negative feedback pattern continues and eventually the body can become less responsive to stress. This might sound good, but any long term imbalance can cause more issues down the road.

The body’s stress response is important & cortisol is designed to protect the body from danger and invasion. So when cortisol levels are chronically low, the body can become less responsive to inflammation and allergies.

Cortisol, Inflammation & Adaptability

Research has linked inflammation to higher levels of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis as well as symptoms like fatigue, stress intolerance, and low blood sugar. Those living with hypocorticolism are often tired, might be intolerant to exercise, overweight, crave sweet and salty flavours, and commonly experience anxiety, insomnia, and depression.

Overall, having chronically low cortisol levels reduces the ability to adapt to changes and stressors in life. Finding ways to better manage stress through meditation and yoga, acupuncture, balanced diet, and moderate exercise can help bring the stress response back into balance.

Contact us for a free 15-minute consultation call to find out more about how we can help you manage stress and balance hormones.

Reference: PMID: 15950390

Practice Yoga with Friends

Summertime is ideal to practice communally. It is a time to get out and spend time with others, teaching and learning from each other through observation and insight. Summertime is joyful and uplifting! This is the polar opposite of winter, which is interpersonal and reflective.

Some postures to incorporate into a summer practice are dynamic movements, standing postures, and pranayama (breathing exercises) to lighten up the heart.

Summertime can bring about bitterness emotionally if one does not allow heat to come in and flow out of the body. Any extra heat in the body has a cascading effect on sleep, digestion, and mood. Using techniques to flush out excess heat will benefit during the summer months, and also prepare the body for autumn.

Contact us for a free 15-minute consultation call to find out more about how we can support you throughout every season with individualized one-on-one yoga.

Chinese medicine Nutrition for Spring

Spring is the season of the beginning small yang and is characterized by growth, movement, and expansion.

After winter, the body’s qi energy begins to flow strongly again and seeks to expand freely. Food during this season should supplement qi energy, allowing it to course freely, and support Chinese medicine spleen and liver functional systems.

Recommended Spring Foods:

Mildly warming foods with upward movement: Fennel, rice, buckwheat; possibly pungent flavours (garlic, paprika, ginger) in case of accumulated dampness left over from the colder months.

Sour flavours, because they stabilize liver yin energy and can regulate upbearing liver yang.

Foods from the wood phase, green in colour with neutral, cool, or warm energy: Green tea, spinach, celery, a little more raw foods and sprouts.

Wind is often the dominating seasonal factor during spring and causes recurring external wind disorders (like colds & flus), which can be balanced with the mildly pungent flavours of green onions and ginger.

Foods to Avoid During Spring:

The following foods can block Liver Qi energy:

Energetically hot and fatty foods
Excess sour flavours

Tip:

🌱 Choose foods that are local and in season!

Source: Chinese Nutrition Therapy: Dietetics in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) by Jörg Kastner

Contact us to find out more about how we can support you on your wellness journey!

Christina & ARC’s Dr. Ariadne Daniel on CTV Morning Live

Watch Whole Family Health fertility specialist, Christina Pistotnik and Alberta Reproductive Centre’s Reproductive Endocrinologist, Dr. Ariadne Daniel on CTV Morning Live – speaking to Canadian Fertility Awareness Week 2023.

Dr. Ariana from ARC on Global Health Matters

Listen to Dr. Ariadne Daniel from Alberta Reproductive Centre speak with Global Health Matters host, Su-Ling Goh about Canadian Fertility Awareness Week (CFAW), her new IVF clinic’s vision of Whole Person Fertility Care and our joint event offerings for CFAW’23.

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