About the Clinic

A masked practitioner leaning down to set needles into a masked patient's wrist as the patient leans back in a recliner with eyes closed. To the right and left of the patient are two more masked patients with eyes closed leaning back. Above there are two long shelves with plants, and above the plants is a the lower border of a white filmy curtain.

Acupuncher

A conversation with my five-year old shortly after the latest photoshoot at GCA: K: “Mama, what’s that? Is that pictures of your clinic?” Me: “Yes…

A person in a surgical mask and a red hoodie sets needles into someone's arm. Visible in the background are two other masked patients with closed eyes and two shelves on the wall holding plants.

Thoughts on election day

Today I dealt with election stress by remembering that somewhere in the world (maybe in Guelph?) people who would not like each other at all if they had a conversation were supporting each other’s healing by sleeping side by side in a community acupuncture clinic.

In the foreground, plant leaves. In the middle ground, someone in a red mask with a plaid blanket cross their lap lying back with eyes closed on a recliner covered with a yellow sheet. In the background, three patients lying back on recliners with eyes closed. The one on the left is covered with a yellow blanket, the one in the middle is covered in a multicoloured blanket, adn the one on the right is covered in a red blanket.

Beyond niceness: on pillows, blankets & nervous system overrides

Acupuncture works because it supports the body to do what it already wants to do: rest and heal. Regular visits to a familiar, predictable place where your body gets to feel good (or, maybe just less bad) teaches your nervous system another way of being. Addressing basic needs for comfort (like pillows and blankets, as needed) are a part of the treatment.