Access Acupuncture

09/21/2025

🍂 Fall Focus & Calm with Acupressure:
Liver 3 (LV3)
Back-to-school season can bring stress, busy schedules, and that feeling of being pulled in a million directions. Kids, teens, and adults all feel it! Luckily, Traditional Chinese Medicine has a simple tool you can use anytime: ACUPRESSURE.

One of the best points for stress, focus, and balance is Liver 3 (LV3).

🌟 Why Use Liver 3?

Stimulating this point can help:

* 🌿 Calm stress and anxiety
* 😴 Improve sleep quality
* 🧠 Sharpen focus and concentration
* 🤕 Ease headaches and tension
* 💪 Support digestion and immunity during the fall season

📍 How to Find It

* Sit comfortably.
* Look at the top of your foot.
* Place your finger between the big toe and second toe.
* Slide your finger up about 1–2 inches until you feel a tender spot between the bones.
👉 That’s Liver 3!

✋ How to Stimulate It

* Use your thumb or finger to press gently but firmly.
* Massage in small circles for 30–60 seconds.
* Repeat on both feet.
* Do this once or twice a day, especially before stressful situations, studying, or bedtime.

🍁 Why It’s Perfect for Fall

Fall is the season of new routines, cooler weather, and sometimes more stress. Many people notice:

* More colds and weaker immunity 🤧
* Sleep changes 🌙
* Anxiety about school or work 📚
* Headaches or body tension 💆

By using Liver 3, you give your body and mind a little reset, helping you stay calm, focused, and balanced through the season.

✨ Try it tonight and see how your body feels after a few days of practice!

09/16/2025

Neck pain: The most common condition treated during our events

Spring was a busy time for me, doing the One-Pin Challenge at trade shows and connecting with people from all walks of life. One thing that stood out to me was just how many people were struggling with the same issue: neck pain. It was, without a doubt, the most common condition I treated using the Balance Method.

Now that summer is winding down and the days are getting shorter, it's the perfect time to address that lingering pain. Whether it's from too much time on your phone, a stressful work week, or an old injury flaring up, heading into fall with a stiff, painful neck can make everything feel more difficult.

The Balance Method is a powerful and efficient form of acupuncture that gets right to the root of the problem. Instead of placing needles directly in the affected area, I use a system of channels and points on other parts of the body to create a balancing effect. Many of my patients are amazed at how quickly they can experience significant relief.
If you're ready to leave your pain behind and transition into the new season with more comfort and mobility, I'm here to help.

Ready to schedule your appointment? Let's get you feeling better.
https://accessacupuncture.ca

-James Hagen, R.Ac

09/12/2025

🌿 Finding Calm at Work with Acupuncture

Workdays can feel overwhelming—long hours, tight deadlines, and constant demands drain more than just your energy. Stress impacts sleep, digestion, mood, and even immunity.

✨ How Acupuncture Helps
Acupuncture calms the nervous system and eases the “fight or flight” response. Many patients feel lighter and more relaxed after just one session. With regular care, stress becomes easier to manage, sleep improves, moods stabilize, and energy feels steady again. Think of it as a weekly reset for your body and mind.

🍵 Chinese Medicine Support
Herbal formulas, warm teas, and nourishing foods can ease emotional stress and strengthen energy. These can be personalized for your unique needs.

🌸 Daily Habits for Balance
Small choices during the day matter:

* Take micro-breaks to breathe, stretch, or pause.
* Protect your mornings—start gently, not rushed.
* Lean on support when you need it.

🥘 Food as Medicine
Choose warm, cooked meals that fuel your Qi. Foods like oats, sweet potatoes, lentils, and dates bring comfort and lasting energy.

🌱 Gentle Practices
You give so much of your energy and heart every day—remember to refill your own cup. Even five minutes of self-care can transform your week:

* Breathe deeply into the belly to calm the mind.
* Meditate, guided or silent, to release what feels heavy.
* Try Qì Gong or Tai Chi to restore flow and balance.

These practices don’t ask for perfection, only presence. Just a few mindful minutes can make space for calm, clarity, and strength. 💛

Rediscover your health at Access Acupuncture in Dartmouth, NS. New patients welcome. Book your appointment today!

09/02/2025

✨Meet Christian Saint‑Pierre, R.Ac at Access Acupuncture

Christian brings over 20 years of experience and deep wisdom to every treatment. He’s one of only eight Canadian acupuncturists certified at the highest level in the Balance Method from Taiwan—a powerful and precise style we proudly offer. Christian’s calm presence and expert hands have earned the trust of many health professionals, including nurses, osteopaths, massage therapists, and teachers. His treatments are fast-acting and deeply effective. Whether you’re managing pain, stress, or chronic conditions, Christian’s care can help restore your balance and energy.

Book your session today and experience the difference:
https://accessacupuncture.ca

✨Venez rencontrer Christian Saint-Pierre, R.Ac chez Access Acupuncture

Christian apporte plus de 20 ans d'expérience et une profonde sagesse à chaque traitement. Il est l'un des huit acupuncteurs canadiens certifiés au plus haut niveau de la Méthode de l’Équilibre de Taïwan, un style puissant et précis que nous proposons fièrement. Sa présence sereine et ses mains expertes lui ont valu la confiance de nombreux professionnels de la santé, notamment des infirmières, des ostéopathes, des massothérapeutes et des enseignants. Ses traitements sont rapides et profondément efficaces. Que vous vivez avec de la douleur, du stress ou des problèmes de santé chroniques, les soins de Christian peuvent vous aider à retrouver l’équilibre et de l’énergie.

Réservez votre séance dès aujourd'hui et constatez la différence!
https://accessacupuncture.ca

07/26/2025

🌸 Spotting Between Periods?
You're Not Alone, And There's Natural Help! 🌸
Bleeding outside your period can feel confusing — but it’s more common than you think, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has powerful tools to help 🌿✨

💬 Who can experience spotting?

🔹 Teenagers figuring out their cycles
🔹 Women struggling with birth control side effects
🔹 New moms in the postpartum phase
🔹 Even years after having kids — yes, 5 to 10 years later!
🔹 Women in Perimenopause

🩸 What’s happening?

Irregular bleeding often points to an internal imbalance — and if it goes on too long, it can lead to fatigue, deficiency, and heavier cycles. But good news: acupuncture and acupressure can help… NATURALLY!

🌟 In TCM, we don’t just cover up the symptoms — we work to:
✅ Balance hormones
✅ Regulate cycles
✅ Ease pain and reduce heavy flow
✅ Support your whole body, not just your uterus

✨ #1 Acupressure Point for You: SP6 (Spleen 6 / San Yin Jiao)
📍 Located on the inner leg, this magical point connects the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney meridians — the three powerhouses of women’s health!

🌷 Why we love SP6:
🔸 Helps stop spotting and irregular bleeding
🔸 Strengthens and nourishes the uterus
🔸 Calms the nervous system
🔸 So easy to use at home!

💖 Your body speaks in symptoms. With acupuncture and TCM, we listen — and we help you find balance, strength, and flow again. Naturally.

👉 To find SP6, place four fingers above the inner ankle bone, just behind the edge of the shin bone, you’ll feel a tender spot, that’s it! Apply gentle circular pressure with your thumb for 1–2 minutes on each leg, once or twice a day, especially during spotting or when your cycle feels off.

Acupressure is good but if you use a TENS machine on this point, it will be 10 times more effective. And Acupuncture is 10 times stronger then a TENS machine 😊
Don’t hesitate to book an acupuncture session if massaging Sp6 didn’t help!

07/21/2025

This week, we proudly celebrate the Special Olympics Global Week of Inclusion, a time to honor diversity, kindness, and the power of community. 💙

As a family and as a clinic, this is especially close to our hearts. Our beautiful daughter has Down syndrome, and we are so grateful for the love, support, and opportunities that Special Olympics Nova Scotia brings to families like ours.

We stand with this amazing movement by supporting, donating, and fundraising because everyone deserves a chance to shine, belong, and thrive.

Here’s to building a more inclusive world, one act of kindness at a time. 🌍✨
https://www.specialolympics.ca/stories-and-news/cibc-named-official-banking-partner-of-special-olympics-team-canada/

Read the latest stories and news from Special Olympics Canada

07/21/2025

This week, we proudly celebrate the Special Olympics Global Week of Inclusion, a time to honor diversity, kindness, and the power of community 💙

As a family and as a clinic, this is especially close to our hearts. Our beautiful daughter has Down syndrome, and we are so grateful for the love, support, and opportunities that Special Olympics brings to families like ours.

We stand with this amazing movement by supporting, donating, and fundraising because everyone deserves a chance to shine, belong, and thrive.

Here’s to building a more inclusive world, one act of kindness at a time. 🌍✨
Look at this website for more informations: https://www.specialolympics.ca

07/20/2025

🌿 Summer Wellness with TCM 🌿
Stay light, clear & energized this July!

Summer is a beautiful time to feel good in your body, but here by the ocean, the damp humidity can leave us feeling:
☁️ Heavy or bloated
🌀 Foggy-headed
💤 Low energy or moody
🌊 Puffy in limbs or face

In TCM, that’s internal dampness, and your digestion (hello, Spleen!) needs some love. Here’s how to stay balanced:

🥦 Eat light & local:
Seasonal veggies, fruits, herbs & greens = easy to digest + full of life.

🍑 Raw is fine!
Way better than processed snacks. Go for colour variety for max nutrition!

🍣 Love sushi? Eat that ginger!
It warms your Stomach, supports digestion, and fights off parasites.

🍉 Hydrate smart:
Try sparkling water with mint or berries, iced teas with lemon, or kombucha instead of sugary drinks.

💛 Avoid cold, greasy, sweet foods, especially in damp weather.

💆‍♀️ Feeling heavy?
• Move daily
• Dry brush in the shower
• Book an acupuncture tune-up!

Let acupuncture help you release dampness, reset digestion, and feel radiant this season, the way summer should feel.

07/13/2025

Acupuncture & Type 2 Diabetes: A Holistic Ally

Did you know over 400 million people worldwide live with diabetes — many without even knowing it? Most cases are type 2, often linked to insulin resistance and affecting daily health in deep ways.

While medication and lifestyle are essential, acupuncture is emerging as a powerful complementary therapy.

Recent studies show that acupuncture can help:
✔ Lower fasting blood sugar
✔ Improve post-meal glucose levels
✔ Support better HbA1c outcomes (long-term blood sugar control)

It can also assist with:
– Blood pressure & cholesterol balance
– Diabetic neuropathy relief
– Weight and stress management
– Regulating fat deposits & brain function

By gently supporting the body’s systems, acupuncture offers a holistic layer of care — particularly helpful for those managing metabolic conditions or seeking natural ways to boost their well-being.

Curious if acupuncture could support your diabetes care plan? James Hagen has extensive experience in this area and would be happy to help.

📍 Learn more on our website blog!

07/09/2025

⭐The Postpartum Village⭐

On July 11th, from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM, we’re opening the doors of The Perinatal Wellness Centre to offer a nurturing space for moms and babies. Whether you’re looking for a moment to unwind, connect with others, or receive expert support & care, The Postpartum Village is here to help you find healing and community.

This month, for FREE, we offer:
🌸Group Therapy with Mercedes
🌸Acupuncture Treatment with Julie

Each month we’ll gather to provide postpartum support of all kinds.

07/08/2025

✨ A Little Nudge from Your Local Acupuncturists ✨

Over the past few months, we’ve had the joy of donating many gift certificates to local fundraisers, teacher appreciation events, and community draws — all in the spirit of giving back to a community we love so much.

If you're holding onto one of those certificates, this is your sign to book! 💛 Don’t be shy. Your healing session is already waiting for you. Whether it’s for stress, pain, or just some peaceful time to reset… we’d be honoured to welcome you.

And if you’re looking for a meaningful gift for someone you care about, we also have beautiful gift cards available. Give the gift of rest, relief, and recovery because wellness is one of the kindest things you can offer.

👉 Email: info@accessacupuncture.ca
Call: 902-999-HEAL (4325)
Visit our website to book or purchase a gift card: https://accessacupuncture.ca

If you have a gift card, you can book the same ways, just bring your gift card with you and give it to us at the end of your treatment 😁

We can’t wait to see you in clinic!

06/12/2025

📍✨ ONE PIN. INSTANT RESULTS.
Tomorrow, I’m bringing the magic back to the Wonder Women Conference — and yes, I’m wearing my Wonder Woman dress because healing is my superpower!

Last year, I treated over 43 incredible women in one day and the results were nothing short of amazing. Instant relief. Big smiles. Real connections. Many of them are now not just patients, but friends.

This year, I’m BACK with my One Pin Challenge, a quick, powerful, pain-free treatment designed to reset your body and remind you how good you’re meant to feel.

⚡ Conditions I’ll be treating on the spot:

* 🔥 Neck & shoulder tension
* 💥 Headaches
* ⚡ Stress & anxiety
* 💫 Low energy or brain fog
* 🌀 Menstrual cramps
* 😵‍💫 Dizziness or nausea
* 😣 Back pain
* 💓 Emotional overwhelm
* 💬 Jaw tension
* 🌬️ Trouble breathing deeply (hello, anxiety chest!)

🦸‍♀️ If you see me, come say hi and let’s make MAGIC happen, one pin at a time.

📍Find me in full Wonder Woman mode in front of my clinic tonight at Access Acupuncture, and then again tomorrow at the event!