Inner Strength Acupuncture and Health

05/15/2025

I am so happy to announce that I’ll be moving back to Comox this summer!!
I will be back in the office taking new and returning patients July 7th. I will still be in on the weekends before then if you’d like to book in as well. If you have a date and time you’d like an appointment you can email me at info@innerstrengthacupuncture.ca or feel free to go online and book.
I can't wait to see you all soon 💙📍

12/11/2024

With the change of the season comes the change over of insurance. If you have insurance to use make sure to book in now with Dr Bob or Chen-yu. If you have recently run out then you're in luck! Our schedules are all open until June 2025. Feel free to email at info@innerstrengthacupuncture.ca or call at 250-941-0961 if you need help booking or simply go online and pick your appointment. We hope to see you soon 💙📍

12/08/2024

12/06/2024

Feeling a little under the weather? Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help with that.
Give us a call at 250-941-0961 or email at info@innerstrengthacupuncture.ca to find out how.

12/04/2024

Getting out for a walk in the fall has so many great benefits.
The lungs and large intestine are the organs of the season. Going for a walk in a park, forest, on a beach, or any low traffic area has obvious benefits for the lungs, but did you know you're also benefiting your intestines? Movement has been shown to help with intestinal motility, reduce inflammation in the intestines and help to reduce bloating. Going for a walk after every meal can also aid with digestion and help reduce blood sugar levels.
Hands up, who loves their daily walks? 🙋‍♀️🙋🙋‍♂️

12/03/2024

Unfortunately we've had to make the tough decision to increase our prices for all herbal appointments as of January 1st. Initial herbal assessments will go up from $100 to $110 and follow ups will go from $75 to $85. This will be for both Dr Bob and Chen-yu. If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate ro reach out to your provider.

11/30/2024

We are all stocked up with products that help balance your metal element.

I Am Worthy tea from Hornby Island Tea is just one of them. It is has a regulating combination of western and Chinese herbs to calm and strengthen your metal element and lung energy (Qi) to release what no longer serves you. A soothing blend of lemon balm and lavender aids in digestion and leaves you feeling calm. All their ingredients are grown without chemicals. This tea includes ethically harvested stinging nettle and is caffeine free.Ingredients: Fennell, Fenugreek, Flax, Nettles, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Wild Blueberries

Stop in and grab some today!

11/28/2024

LU1 - Zhong Fu - Middle Palace

With the turn of the season and back to school comes cold and flus. With colder weather comes wood stoves and smoke sensitivities. With all the rain comes mold and mildew creating fall allergies. Middle palace can help with all of this.

Located under the end of the collarbone on the shoulder side, find the divot and move down slightly into the first rib space. Technically LU1 is on the lateral side of the chest, level in the first intercostal space 6 inches from the midline.

Zhong fu is the front mu of the lung meridian. It's the crossing point of the lung and spleen meridians. It is an entry point connected to the exit point of the liver meridian. It disperses heat from the chest, opens the chest and stops coughing by regulating and descending qi. It can be used to strengthen the spleen and rectifies excess arising from the middle warmer. It balances lung disharmonies involving phlegm heat, treats lung dampness, and lung qi deficiency. It revives the breath and regulates the lungs.

For the respiratory system Middle Palace can help clear up coughs, chest congestion and wheezing from asthma. It dissipates fullness in the chest. It relaxes the airways. It helps with allergies and hay fever by relieving sinus congestion and pressure to minimize sinus pain.

For the digestive system LU1 can help with nausea and vomiting, abdominal distention, difficulty ingesting food and drink and can help clear throat obstructions.

Locally it treats chest, shoulder and upper back pain.

When it comes to the emotions this point goes deep. By clearing the lungs for physical inspiration it encourages inspiration on an emotional level as well. It can allow one to open up and breathe in all the world has to offer. When there are feelings of disconnect Zhong Gu can help revive the connection to self, to spirit and to those around them. It can allow one to take in praise and respect, allowing one to see the beauty in themselves. It has the ability to ultimately restore a feeling of beauty in the world. All of this can restore or bring on ones sense of higher purpose. It has potential to change a persons life.

11/26/2024

SESAME BALLS WITH HONEY


I don’t know about you, but as soon as the fall weather hits I love to get baking!

In Chinese Medicine, Autumn represents the beginning of the yin cycle and is a time when we should incorporate yin-nourishing foods in our diets.

These sesame balls will counteract any dryness we tend to experience in the fall as the sesame seeds nourish yin and the honey acts as a sweet tonic for the qi ... I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:
2 cups sesame seeds
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Recipe:
1. Dry roast the sesame seeds until you can smell them - but be careful not to burn!
2. Grind them as finely as possible, then stir in the other ingredients and press them together.
3. Let the mixture cool and harden.
4. Wet your hands and shape the mixture into little balls - then they are ready to serve!

Allie Franczak, RAc

11/25/2024

A Brief Introduction of Kiiko Matsumoto Style (KMS) Acupuncture

Kiiko Matsumoto, a living master, has left an indelible mark on the field with her innovative techniques and profound understanding of the human body.

At the heart of KMS lies palpation – a powerful tool that sets it apart from other acupuncture approaches. During the treatment, the practitioner palpates with their hands to feel and assess the patient’s body, searching for subtle cues and energetic imbalances.

One of the standout features of KMS Acupuncture is its emphasis on abdominal diagnosis, or "hara diagnosis." The abdomen is believed to be a window into the health of your internal organs. By gently palpating the abdomen, the practitioner can detect irregularities and imbalances in the liver, kidneys, stomach, immune system, etc.

This type of treatment gives instant feedback to both the practitioner and patient and directs the practitioner how to treat the patient effectively, targeting the root cause.

The treatments aim to restore harmony to the entire being by addressing the underlying imbalances that contribute to the condition. It's like nurturing a plant from its roots, ensuring long-lasting and sustainable wellness.

This comprehensive approach helps stimulate your body's self-healing mechanisms and encourages a harmonious energy flow throughout your system.

Kiiko’s style of acupuncture is also suitable for all patients, especially for those afraid of needles, as the needling methods are shallow and gentle, using the tiniest gauge needles.

After surgery, some poorly healed scar tissue can be a major block to successful recovery, causing not just problems at the site of the scar but also at secondary locations or organs by interfering with the meridian flow.

Kiiko Matsumoto has pioneered the treatment of scar tissue as a way to unblock Qi and heal problems that have not responded to other treatments.

Conditions Treated with KMS include:
Chronic pain, musculoskeletal issues, and migraines.
Digestive disorders
Hormonal Imbalances
Stress and Emotional Health
Immune System Support

Feel free to reach out with any questions or to book your appointment today.

Chen-yu Hung, RTCMP

11/23/2024

Líng Guì Zhú Gān Tāng

This simple formula was first referenced around 1800 years ago during the Han dynasty, in a book called the “Shang Han Za Bing Lun”.

The formula contains four ingredients:

Fúlíng is a bland mushroom that is commonly used in Chinese medicine. In this formula we use it to treat issues related to water metabolism and excess water within the body.

Guìzhī is a warm and pungent medicinal. It helps strengthen and circulate the warm energy of the body, known as Yáng Qì. Making sure it gets to where it needs to go.

Báizhú is a warm and bitter herb. It aids in water metabolism, dries up excess damp fluids and helps bank up fluids so they can go where they are needed.

Zhì gāncǎo is a sweet herb. It helps to moderate the pungent, bitter and warm actions of the other medicinals. It also aids in supporting our digestion - which is the center of a balanced body.

Formula function:

In a nutshell, this formula treats a breakdown in water metabolism, alongside a disturbance of the bodies Yáng Qì. There is an excess of water/dampness in the body, with a deficiency of Yáng Qì (energy, metabolic fire)

What can this look like?

Dizziness, vertigo, Meneires disease

Heart palpitations

Anxiety, panic attacks

Runny nose, phlegm, nasal congestion

Shortness of breath, cough with phlegm

Thirst

Tremors, restlessness

Edema, urination issues

In the clinic:

Most people do not have all of these symptoms. But they may have a few. I will use abdominal palpation, pulse diagnosis and detailed questioning to gather as much information from the patient as possible. If I find a pattern among someone that looks like too much water, and not enough warmth/fire. I may try this formula.

I have used this formula to successfully treat chronic sinusitis that flared in the fall and winter, as well as on rainy overcast days, panic attacks, sea sickness, fatigue, chronic cough, long Covid , night sweating, edema, vertigo, just to name a few!

If you are interested in hearing more about Chinese herbal medicine, feel free to book a free consultation with me by clicking on the link below. Lets see if it is a good fit for you!

Dr Bob Malecki, DTCM