Acupuncture

Marika Hall, Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac.)

Marika Hall

Growing up near her grandparents and extended family from the earliest age Marika was exposed to the importance of being raised by the village. Though it wasn’t until living in Tanzania on a medical anthropology internship during university that she recognized that the village was lacking for most families she knew in Canada. Upon returning to Canada she became a birth and postpartum doula to work with families through the child bearing years, especially in creating a web of support during the postpartum period.
It was during her training as a doula at Pacific Rim College that she was inspired by the philosophy and wholistic health model of Chinese Medicine. After several years of working as a doula and studying to be a Shamanic practitioner, she decided to return to Pacific Rim College to complete her training as an Acupuncturist.
Since that time she has utilized acupuncture to prepare her and her partner’s bodies for conception, support the natural process of pregnancy, optimize labour and recover during the postpartum period after a beautiful home birth. She is delighted to offer her experience and knowledge to birthing families of Victoria at Mothering Touch and in their own homes.

Marika offer acupuncture at Mothering Touch on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am-6pm, and offers Community Acupuncture for Cervical Ripening and Postpartum Adjustment from 2-5pm on Fridays.

 

 

Jill Moran, Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac.)

While at University of Guelph, completing her degree in Bio_Medical Science Jill was introduced to acupuncture and Chinese philosophy.  Before embarking out West to follow her curiousity in both the West coast and Acupuncture she completed a diploma at George Brown College in Orthotic/Prosthetic Technician interning as Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto.  Realizing that this was not her passion she moved to Victoria BC to study Acupuncture and Chinese medicine at the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.  She completed a five-year diploma in Doctor of Chinese Medicine and in 2004 she completed in internship at the #1 University Hospital of  Traditional Chinese Medicine at the University of HeiLongJiang, in Harbin China.

Jill has continued her education  in ear acupuncture, musculoskeletal conditions such as Matt Callison's Motor Point course and Women's health training with the likes of Debra Betts, Ravine Lewis and Jane Lyttleton. She has studied Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture with Virginia Doran, and Shonishin - Pediatric Needleless acupuncture. Jill is currently studying to become a fellow with the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine.

When not in the clinic you will find Jill exploring the diversity of the West Coast, trail running in the wild, surfing in the waters of Jordan River or stretching and breathing in her dedicated practice of 17 years of Iyengar Yoga.

Jill works at Mothering Touch on Fridays from 10am-1pm.

 

 

Tenille Kay Carter, Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac.)

Tennille Kay Carter received her training in Traditional Chinese Medicine (DTCM dipl.) Oshio college of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Victoria, B.C., Canada. Originally exposed to the power of Chinese Medicine while on midwifery internship in Senegal, West Africa, she was taught to use acupuncture to turn babies in breech presentation, lower blood pressure and ease pain in labour and delivery.

Between finishing her acupuncture training and completing the DTCM program, Tennille took a year long internship in a training hospital in southern India, at two separate Ayurvedic training hospitals, where the primary focus was on detoxification for patients with diabetes and arthralgia. Most recently, Tennille has been working with both the Chinese medical team and in the maternity department in the main government hospital in Zanzibar, Eastern Africa.

Tennille is a Registered Acupuncturist in good standing with the CTCMA (College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia), Ayurvedic practitioner and birth worker. She is currently working on her masters degree with a focus in human rights and childbirth.

Tennille works at Mothering Touch on Saturdays from 10am-5pm.

During Pregnancy, acupuncture offers drug-free treatment for a wide range of conditions including:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Threatened Miscarriage
  • Back and pelvic pain
  • Headaches/Migraines and sinusitis
  • Fatigue, insomnia and restless legs
  • Anxiety and Depression
  • Anemia
  • Heartburn
  • Constipation
  • Varicose veins
  • Edema and swelling
  • Hypertension/High Blood Pressure
  • Breech and posterior positioned babies

At the end of pregnancy, acupuncture can provide a gentle way to 

  • ripen the cervix
  • induce labour

Many extended health insurance providers offer coverage for acupuncture. If you have coverage, we can give you a receipt for each treatment which you can then send on to the insurance provider for appropriate reimbursement. For MSP beneficiaries who have a family income less than $28,000/year and are receiving premium assistance, MSP contributes $23 per visit for a combined annual limit of 10 visits each calendar year for acupuncture. 

Postpartum issues commonly treated with acupuncture and/or Chinese Herbal Medicine:

  • Breast Feeding Problems
  • Blocked Ducts and Masitis
  • Insufficient Lactation
  • Back Pain, Body Pain, Abdominal/Pelvic Soreness
  • Postpartum Depression
  • Uterine Prolapse
  • Urinary Incontinence & Retention
  • Bowel Irregularities
  • Fatigue & Exhaustion

Acupuncture - Initial Consultation and Treatment - 1h15 - $80

Acupuncture - Follow-up treatment - 1h - $70 

Birth Preparation Package - $250
    (three cervical ripening treatments + one postpartum treatment)

Chinese Herbal Consultation - 30min - $40

Book a session now!

Treatment Cancellation Policy: Our on-line booking system requires 48-hours notice for cancellation. If you need to cancel or re-schedule with less than 48-hours notice, please phone us. We will be happy to help. The full fee will be due for any appointment cancelled with less than 48-hours notice.

We are very aware that pregnancy and new parenthood make life unpredictable. We will make every effort to "forgive" a late cancellation if you or your baby are ill or you are in labour!