Treatments
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic system of health care that emphasizes harmony and balance between the human environment and the earth's environment. It has been practiced for thousands of years and includes acupuncture, acupressure, cupping, moxibustion, as well as dietary and lifestyle counselling. Your session with Dr. Wong may involve any one or a combination of them. Most people have an increased sense of well-being immediately following each session.
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Acupuncture
The intent of acupuncture is to stimulate the body, release energy blocks, and re-establish normal equilibrium, thereby facilitating the body's natural ability to heal itself. Your body is inter-connected by meridians, pathways through which the vital energy flows. By inserting needles in certain points along meridians Dr. Wong can manipulate the flow of energy. Insertion of slender needles goes unnoticed by some, and to others feels like a small pinch followed by a sensation of tingling, traveling warmth, or heaviness. For children 7 years of age and under, needles may inserted and removed one by one, with heavy manual manipulation on each needle for 10-30 seconds. For older children and/or adults, usually needles are retained for 20-40 minutes while rest is encouraged. Music, dim lights, guided imagery, and/or aromatherapy may be provided to aid in relaxation. Dr. Wong uses disposable needles only.
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Acupuncture is suitable for all ages. It improves physical and mental well-being. Some highly effective areas for acupuncture include:
*ANY type of pain/numbness/tingling
*sports injuries - sprains, muscle spasms, tendonitis
*speeding up recovery from viral illness, surgery
*boost energy, manage stress
*sleep concerns - apnea, restless, non-restorative
*decrease anxiety, depression
*correct fertility issues, difficulties in pregnancy
*correct menstrual challenges, hormonal changes such as menopausal symptoms
*reduce or eliminate headaches/migraines
*getting rid of addictions, such as quit smoking
*regulate digestion - constipation, diarrhea, bloating, bad breath
*colic, teething, bedwetting, growing pains, anxiety (for kids)
TCM can effectively treat acute and chronic conditions, but you don't have to be ill to come. Preventative care is also offered. To discover whether it is helpful for you, try it!
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Acupressure, Cupping, and Moxabustion
Acupressure is the massage version of stimulating acupuncture points, is less quick and effective than acupuncture itself. However, when done regularly can be of good benefit. Often acupressure may be done during a session while needles are in to complement the treatment; specific techniques may be taught for you to practice on your own at home so that results (especially for chronic concerns) can occur sooner, and it diminishes the need to have more acupuncture treatments than necessary.
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Cupping involves placing cups (can be glass, plastic, or silicone) at various points on the body, creating a vacuum to draw toxins to the skins' surface. This stimulates the immune system to flush the toxins out of the body and essentially energize you! It is very relaxing and is able to relieve significant tension that can be built up on our muscles. Most often cupping is done to relieve pain and tension on the neck, back, and hips. It can also be done to improve range of motion, of a frozen shoulder, for instance. Modern silicone cupping is versatile at staying on joints that we want to try to mobilize at the same time. Small silicone cups are used to take away numbness from scar tissue.
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Moxabustion involves using a time-honoured herb, mugwort, which is known to boost the circulation to promote healing where it is directed. It can be burned locally on the skin (though doesn't burn onto the skin itself), to set off a chain of events to stimulate labor for a lady who is needing a breech baby turned! It can also be used on different acupuncture points to give energy to someone who is very depleted and unable to help themselves. A modern invention of using a moxa tincture applied to the skin (and activated with an infra-red heat lamp) is effective to calm down local inflammation, from a sprain, for instance.
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New techniques are always being developed for acupuncture, acupressure, cupping, and moxabustion! Rest assured Dr. Wong is on top of the latest research.
Dietary and Lifestyle counselling
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, what we eat and what we do most definitely affect our health. Especially with chronic health conditions, it is important to consider how YOU can help yourself get better and stay better too! In a nutshell, can you remember a time when you were feeling chilly and craved that nourishing warm bowl of soup? How about when you stayed up late and didn't pay attention to getting enough sleep to properly restore? Though some of these things may seem like common sense, Dr. Wong will take it to the next level and help you understand how your diet and lifestyle can be used to optimize your contribution to getting better faster!
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture (FRA)
More than just a cosmetic procedure, FRA is designed to make the entire body look and feel younger! FRA is based on the time-tested theories and practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine, dating back as early as the Sung dynasty (960 AD). By treating the underlying health and energy imbalances which contribute to the aging process, FRA addresses the root causes, not just the signs/symptoms of aging. FRA is safe, effective, and virtually painless. It is effective to eliminate fine lines and minimize deeper ones, lift droopy eyelids or sagging skin, improve skin tone/texture, and rejuvenate your whole body. An initial consultation session is necessary to assess suitability and potential scheduling for FRA treatment. Usually it is recommended to have twice weekly sessions for 6 weeks, then once a week for a total of 15 sessions. After that sessions may be suggested once a month, or several times a year to maintain benefits. Results may vary. Dr. Wong received her FRA training by Virginia Doran, a pioneer and expert in the field.
Is acupuncture covered by your health plan?
Acupuncture is not covered under Alberta Health Care. However some private plans will cover some or all of treatment costs. Did you know that some Blue Cross plans have started to cover acupuncture? Dr. Alice Wong is dually licensed, so you may be able to receive coverage under the title of either 'acupuncturist' or 'registered nurse'. Please do not hesitate to discuss this further with Alice should you benefit from her writing a letter to your insurance company, for instance.
Rates (will be increasing September 1, 2023)
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Initial Session - health intake, consultation and treatment: 1-1.5 hours - $130
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Health intake
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Consultation
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Acupuncture treatment
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Acupressure, cupping, moxabustion as appropriate
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Dietary and lifestyle counselling as appropriate
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Plan for course of treatment
Follow-Up Sessions: 45 min-1 hour - $90 (kids up to the age of 7 are $70)
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Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture: 1.5 hours - $180, unless 15 session package is purchased where it amounts to $150
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A few notes:
*Acupuncture and nursing services are GST exempt.
*Payment is accepted in cash, cheque, or e-transfer only, and is expected prior to each session.
*We have a 24 hour cancellation policy in effect. If you late cancel or miss your appointment, a fee of $60 will need to be paid prior to your next session. Please understand that time has been reserved for you.
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