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Hemma the home of community acupuncture and wellness, 1508 Haultain Street, Victoria, BC (2025)

07/13/2025

Why Did You Put That Needle There?

One of the most common misunderstandings about acupuncture is that you must put a needle where the problem is in order to make it go away. Because of this many folks assume that we are not able to treat back pain in our cozy recliner chairs. Part of this misunderstanding comes from our natural inclination that if it hurts there then that is where you should poke it! This inclination is further supported by people who are not trained in traditional acupuncture but use it on folks - like physiotherapists for example. These folks use a type of acupuncture that is based on current thinking of anatomy, physiology, nerves, and muscles. The theory goes that if a muscle is in spasm I just need to poke at it to get it to stop being in spasm. This method works in some cases, but also sometimes aggravates the situation.

The thing about acupuncture is that it is unlike any other modality. People for thousands of years have worked with it, discovering places and pathways along the body that influence or prompt the body toward certain responses. These pathways and points treat areas of the body, sometimes quite far from the originating problem. For example there is a pathway (also known as a meridian) that runs the entire length of your spine. This pathway terminates at the end of your baby toe. One of the points near that tiny toe is often used to treat your back pain - that and several in a similar area along your pinkie finger and hand. These points are so commonly effective that we end up using them a lot for treating many different types of back pain - something we see in the clinic a lot.

When I first started treating people with this method I was skeptical myself, I was sure I would not be able to treat back pain without putting a needle into someone’s back. Fortunately I got to practice a lot and what I noticed changed my mind. Using this method of what we call distal point acupuncture, I sometimes saw people’s back pain go from a 10 to a 0 in less than an hour. These points have the combined effect of relaxing the muscles, promoting circulation and healing, and easing pain - the three things you need for healing of these parts of your body. One miraculous treatment doesn’t necessarily mean you’re cured for life. Healing takes time. That said, having less pain and greater mobility is something I’ll take any day, even if I might need to come back for another visit.

07/10/2025

One of the features of acupuncture I love is its ability to take people into, what I refer to as, deep rest. Deep rest is a state of being that lets our nervous system pause. At the same time deep rest supports and encourages all of our health systems to flourish. When we are in this state of rest our immune system, hormonal system, and digestion flourish - they function best in a state of rest and repose. Much of our life these days is filled with the opposite of deep rest. Much of our life is now spent with our nervous system on edge, or at least at the ready. Driving through traffic, worried about some aspect of adulting, our bodies rarely have the chance to abide in this state of deep rest.

I feel very fortunate that I get to explore this state of rest on the beautiful waters of the Salish sea. Four years ago I purchased a small sailboat with a friend. Now every summer I get to spend some of my free time exploring the amazing world that is only minutes away from those of us who live on Vancouver island. Each time I venture out I am awestruck at the amount of beauty, stillness, and peace that welcomes me. Venturing out on my boat I encounter some of this most beautiful sites that my senses have ever taken in, all within an hour or two of my home.

One of the things I enjoy most is the utter slowness that sailing brings. Moving along at a walking pace, or being pushed along by the wind, my mind slowly unwinds - some sort of deep remembering occurs regarding my body's preferred pace. The sense of silliness and rest feels like food for the soul - a nourishment that is hard to find in my normal urban life. In these moments I can see how we, as humans, are designed for this kind of speed and stillness. I imagine that at one time a lot of our life was filled with moments like these - no cell phone to stare into, no action or response required. Deep rest.

When I think about the contrast of our current modern life, I think, no wonder we struggle with so many ailments. How could we not, when our nervous system hardly has a minute of peace and quiet. Our bodies and spirits need this kind of rest and stillness, whether we find it out in nature, or in a cozy recliner chair among a group of fellow nappers. As I take in this moment of stillness and beauty I am wishing that you too will have an opportunity to find some deep rest in the coming days this summer.

06/07/2025

Why did you put that needle there?

I am going to start a new series in the acupuncture news titled: Why did you put that needle there? The reason being that acupuncture is a bit of weird and wonderful mystery medicine. I feel that way myself and I have been practicing for more than 20 years, so I imagine that you might think it's even weirder than I do, and maybe you sometimes wonder this very question.

This month I want to talk about ear acupuncture. Ear acupuncture is one of my favourite kinds of acupuncture because, like a lot of acupuncture, it is pretty simple to learn, simple to do, and often very effective. Ear acupuncture has been around for a long time but some of its ideas and practices are relatively new. A French doctor discovered ear acupuncture when some of his patients told him about treatments they were getting for sciatica. Intrigued he began to study up on it and went on to create a whole new system of ear acupuncture.

Ear acupuncture is one of many, what we call micro systems. A micro system is found somewhere on the body - your ear, hand, scalp, to name a few places. Within these Microsystems we can treat the entire body. So within the ear alone we can treat virtually any condition and any part of the body. In our clinic we often use ear points to treat things like stress, pain, and to enhance body functions, like digestion. The ear points are very good for calming our nervous system and seem to take effect almost immediately.

The devices (needles) we use for the ears are tiny, about as thick as your hair, and only go a very short distance into your ear - a few millimetres. Still they can sometimes feel very strong despite being so tiny. The ears are sensitive! Perhaps that is why they often seem so effective.

When I was a student I studied a practice known as NADA. NADA stands for National Acupuncture Detox Association, and it was also a group of five points in the ear used to treat addiction. Through some trial and error it was discovered that this group of 5 points had a powerful effect on reducing cravings that came from withdrawal. The points also seem to reduce other withdrawal symptoms, and in some ways they simulated some of the calming and sedating effects of the drugs and alcohol folks were using in the first place. During my student years I volunteered at several outpatient centres that offered this five point protocol to its clients. I remember feeling so impressed by the stories of folks who were receiving the treatments. Many of them shared how much the acupuncture supported them in their detox and withdrawal.

The NADA protocol is still widely practiced today. In some parts of the world, people who have completed NADA training can offer this Five point protocol of tiny needles to people’s ears. The protocol is now used for many more things than just detox and withdrawal. Some have started using it for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, for inmates in prison systems, for ADHD, and many other applications. This treatment is another example of how effective and yet simple acupuncture can be. So many benefits without any side effects!

We would love to hear about your experience of ear acupuncture the next time you're in the clinic!

06/04/2025

Lost and Found
Last week I saw a news story about a Canadian man who was vacationing with his wife in the Dominican Republic. As he was about to return home from his vacation he was arrested for drug smuggling and held in a Dominican jail for 71 days. Someone had apparently switched his name tag onto a bag filled with illegal drugs. His wife returned home to Canada while he awaited trial for a crime he had not committed. A legal team and a sizeable chunk of money later he was released, the charges against him dropped. Upon his arrival he told a reporter that he had a renewed appreciation for his life and his relationships. He said he wanted to spend more time appreciating those aspects of his life. Sometimes we have to lose something in order to find something.

I have never spent time in jail but the story reminded me of similar losses - life events - where I was able to find gifts within something I had lost. One of those moments was just last year when my dear friend Caleb died suddenly. I can still remember the day I learned of his death. My whole world view changed that day, I felt as if my senses had been opened as never before - the brilliance of nature, the incredible sound of a songbird, the joy of watching a child play in the park. All of these things I missed or at least remained in my periphery the days before. I felt so clear eyed and present in my life at that moment, so clear of how I needed to live out the rest of my days.

The thing is that the gift of my awareness did not persist, at least not as fully as I then imagined. I can recall it now if I reflect on it, but my clear eyed perception slowly faded over time. How big a thing do we have to lose before we never forget? I’m not sure of the answer, I guess it's probably different for everyone. I remember once attending a workshop with a group of cancer survivors. They impressed me so much with their commitment to live a meaning-full life - to never again be worried over small things. Some even insisted that it was the change itself that had resulted in their cure. That weekend I remember saying to myself that I would not need a fatal illness to remind me of what was most important - I would begin living that life that very day! Of course that promise was made in part out of fear and I probably once again lost a bit of that reminder as I proceeded on with my life. That said, perhaps there is an accumulative effect with each lost and found.

Every day in our community clinic I meet folks who have lost something - their health, a relationship, a loved one, hope. Sitting all together in community I am reminded that we are not alone in our losses, just as we are not alone in our discoveries. Out of loss comes many gifts - reminders of how precious life is. From this awareness we become a better version of ourselves, we become better humans. So remember that the next time you lose something, whether it's something small like your cellphone, or something big like a loved one, take time to find the gift in the loss, and when you find that gift be sure to share it with others.

05/03/2025

All of you is welcome...

A few nights ago I was watching Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the New Democratic Party, offer his concession speech, as the federal election results were being announced. He offered a heartfelt and emotional appreciation to his family, staff, and everyone who had been involved in the campaign. As he was sharing he struggled to compose himself - to keep from feeling all of the emotion he was feeling. His strategy - gently hitting his heart and taking intermittent sips of water - water in instead of water out. While I can understand the need to find enough composure to get your message out, I also found myself wishing that we lived in a world where it was ok to openly share our grief and loss. I hoped that he was able to go home afterwards to be held while he grieved his loss.

As someone who holds space for people and their emotions on a regular basis it still surprises me that I have to remind someone that all of their feelings are welcome - that it is ok to feel whatever it is they are feeling - grief, fear, anxiety, worry. Despite a greater recognition of our individual and collective struggles, so many people I see in my work apologize to me when they begin to express an emotion. I always remind them that all of their feelings and emotions are welcome here. I believe in fact that feeling and releasing emotion is essential in our healing and becoming a more whole person capable of empathy. Francis Weller says it well in his book The Wild Edge Of Sorrow:

“Grief is not here to take us hostage, but instead to reshape us in some fundamental way, to help us become our mature selves, capable of living in the creative tension between grief and gratitude. In doing so our hearts are ripened and made available for the great work of loving our lives in this astonishing world. Grief is essential to finding and maintaining a feeling of emotional intimacy with life, with one another, and with our own soul.”

The relationship to grief and gratitude is often overlooked. Grief helps us to stay in touch with our gratitude, it helps us to be present, and to appreciate gifts that arrive. I long to live in a world where a leader can openly wail and share their grief and loss. In these times we need lots of reminders that we are more the same than we are different. Sharing emotion is fundamentally human and something that connects us to one another. Remember that when we openly share our feelings and emotions we give others the encouragement to do the same.

05/02/2025

May 1st is celebrated by many around the world as International Workers Day. A time to celebrate and honour the work of people everywhere who work many essential jobs that are also low paying jobs - farm workers, preschool teachers, cooks, cleaners, and many other service industry jobs to name a few.

Some say that acupuncture was developed by and for working people - to support them in doing the hard and often physical work. Community acupuncture was also designed to support workers, by offering affordable alternative health care. Since opening in 2007, Hemma, and many other community clinics have offered services on a sliding scale fee structure. A sliding scale assumes that in society people have different incomes and different abilities to pay. The scale means that each person can choose a rate of pay based on their discretionary spending (what they can afford), and based on how frequently they need to come in. Despite the fact that some folks think we operate in a charitable way, this social business model has supported the clinic for the last 18 years - a win/win for you and us.

Right now working people are under ever increasing stress and difficulty when it comes to paying for things beyond the normal expenses of life such as housing, food, and transportation. That is why it is so important, in my opinion, that places like Hemma continue to flourish and grow, and that more places like Hemma are created. Help us continue to offer affordable care by telling folks you know about our services.

Thank you for your support, and your service to the community.

03/30/2025

Given all the foolishness going on I have decided to cancel April Fool's Day this year. Here is an essay instead.

These past few months I have been at a loss for words. When that occurs I try to just roll with it. I have been feeling that with everything we are bombarded with each day, maybe silence is the appropriate response. This week I finally started to feel the urge to write again and have been drawn to a topic that is always dear to my heart, the subject of loss. Springtime is a season that signifies growth and new beginnings, however it follows winter - a time of loss and endings. This cycle is an important aspect of our lives - the cycle of birth, growth, harvest, and death.

One of my teachers’ says that in the course of a life one will experience a significant amount of loss. He says that we should use the small losses in life to practice for the bigger ones. For loss will surely come one's way, big and small. I’ve taken that advice to heart and always try to view loss as an opportunity to practice acceptance, adapting, and finding the opportunity in loss. And perhaps more importantly just to practice grieving - to learn to be comfortable with grief. I notice that the more I engage with loss, the more I am also able to appreciate, and be present for, the gifts of joy and pleasure that come my way. I understand that loss is just a part of life. Over the years I have experienced many losses, big and small: relationships, jobs, pets, loved ones. These losses have also been accompanied by so many beautiful gifts, by much love.

Some of you may have noticed that I walk with a limp. That limp is a result of a loss of sorts - the loss of my right anterior tibialis muscle. Sometime in the late 1990’s that muscle decided to atrophy. I first noticed it walking - my foot would get sore after walking a short distance. At the time I was in Acupuncture school so I endeavoured to find out what was wrong with my leg and to see if I could fix it. After many examinations and various doctors I was given the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy and told there was not much I could do about it.

I started seeing one of my teachers, Dr Johns. With the help of some of his needles inserted in a few key places I regained some of my coordination and strength but was never cured - the muscle continued to slowly atrophy until my right leg stood out in thin contrast to my left one. This was my first significant foray into human vulnerability.
At this same time my sister was struggling with a life-long illness known as polymyositis - an autoimmune disease that causes all of one's muscles to slowly atrophy as a result of being attacked by their own immune system. The disease is a methodical illness that slowly weakens all your muscles. Over the span of my sister's illness I watched her go from an active energetic person to one confined to a wheelchair, about 25 years, until she died at the age of 50.

Witnessing this I started to imagine that my muscle atrophy was a kind of sympathetic condition that connected me to her, giving me some small sense of what her experience was like. I started thinking about the gifts that loss brings way back then. I thought about how her loss - her illness - brought us closer together, and also played a big role in me deciding to go into healthcare work. I thought about how her death helped me to connect to others who had experienced the death of a loved one, how it helped me to feel more empathy and be present for others suffering.

My own condition has caused me some trouble over the ensuing years, but nothing I haven’t been able to deal with. I have been prone to tripping over small obstacles, and to twisting my ankle. At the same time I’ve learned to pay more attention and to feel more fully.

The thing about loss is that we are often surprised by it. We know it's out there but we often fail to see it coming until it suddenly lands on our doorstep. This winter I went up to Mount Washington to go cross country skiing. I’ve been an avid cross country skier since I was in my late teens but I had not been on them for several years given that our nearest ski trails are several hours away.

Arriving at the ski centre, freshly fallen snow covering the trails, I excitedly put on my gear and waxed up my skis in preparation for a beautiful adventure through the woods. However, after only a few short kicks with my skis I knew that my right leg could no longer perform the once familiar kick and glide. My foot just flopped to one side refusing to cooperate. At that moment I came to the awareness that I would most likely never cross country ski again.

Watching everyone else glide by was a humbling experience considering I used to pride myself on my skiing form. All-in-all though I’d say that I accepted the loss with grace and acceptance, although not without some sadness. I took off my skis, walked back to the lodge and kindly requested a refund of my ski pass, explaining my situation. Fortunately the ski centre was kind enough to grant my request.

After contemplating my options I decided to don a pair of snowshoes and headed out into the woods - my foot more or less cooperating. I still felt envious of the folks gliding past me but I was still able to enjoy the peace and quiet of the woods, perhaps even more so due to my much slower pace!

One of my elder clients, Florence always used to say; “getting older ain’t for sissies!” I smile inside when I think of her zest for life despite so many life challenge's and losses. Florence reminds me to grieve the loss but also be present to the gift of the forest regardless of how I get to experience it. Grieve deeply but also celebrate deeply the many gifts of this life we live.

Thank you Florence.

11/07/2024

Frankie says, “drop in for some acupuncture and a cozy warm blanket this holiday weekend.”
We are open from Friday to Monday!

11/05/2024

Lessons In Kindness
Last month, I traveled back East with my kids to visit family. I am originally from the United States – I made Canada my home 20 years ago. I grew up mostly in Maine and have always thought of that area as my home despite the fact that I don’t have a home there anymore and that my ancestors came to North America from Europe. That makes me an orphan twice over. I left the States to raise my kids in Canada, a place that I felt more closely aligned with my values. I feel very grateful to be living in Canada, and I am also very aware that I am residing in a place that is not my home. I’ve tried to make up for that by contributing to the community through my work.
Growing up in the States, I was always a pretty political person – politics seem to play a larger than life role there. My dad worked for Jimmy Carter and before I was old enough to vote I was out volunteering for his campaign back in the 70’s. Growing up during that time there was a sense of optimism about politics, how it really did matter, and how it really could change the world. There was also a sense that it mattered how a person conducted themselves – that kindness, ethics and values mattered. Martin Luther King was killed when I was just a year old but his message of justice reverberated into my lifetime such that he was a hero of mine.
Needless to say then that over the past few years I have felt pretty depressed about the state of the States. I am holding onto a thin line of hope that the people of the United States will inspire me by voting in the first black woman into the office of the President. I don’t imagine that this will solve all of our collective challenges, but I do imagine it will be a victory for kindness over hate, unity over division.
This brings me back to my recent trip to Maine. During our visit I made plans to visit Norma – my next door neighbour from my childhood. Norma is 91 years old and is now living in a small one bedroom apartment at an assisted living centre. When we walked into her place what struck me was that she really hadn’t changed since I knew her as a kid. She was still the kind person who would do anything for you. Still trying to make a difference in the world. Norma showed us around her time apartment – filled with plants and knickknacks. In one corner a sewing machine that she used daily to make dresses for children in orphanages. She explained that she had gone through three machines sewing dresses and reusable menstrual pads. We sat and shared stories for about an hour before we had to continue on with our journey. I was grateful that we had made the time to visit.
For the past several weeks I have found myself thinking about Norma and our visit. Her kindness has always been inspiring to me but at 91, I was struck by the consistency of her spirit. How was it possible for someone her age to be so filled with lightness and love? I wondered if it was something innate about Norma or just a choice she had made in life. Regardless, Norma has reminded me of the importance of kindness in our world. A simple thing that doesn’t cost a thing but is priceless in a world that needs it more than ever.

I cast my ballot for kindness this year. Regardless of the outcome I will keep practicing acts of Kindness. Thank you Norma.

10/03/2024

I’m reading a book right now called, “Finding the Mother Tree”, by Suzanne Simard. Reading about the intricate web of interconnection between trees has me thinking about the often invisible connections that bond us to the people in our lives, to our communities, and to the land itself. In the book Simard begins to describe the vast and complex web of communication and sharing that transpires every day within the forest floor, completely out of our sight and awareness. There is a passage in the book that I found profoundly moving and enlightening. She is studying the health and growth of newly planted trees in a clearcut when she notices that, despite the trees having soil, water, and sunlight, these seedlings are struggling to survive, even as the few native seedlings around them seem to be thriving.

Turns out that trees need more than just earth, water, and sunlight to grow. They need each other. As the author dives deeper into her study she discovers a vast network of connection and communication that exists among the plant life – beyond one specific species of tree. This network of support provides information, nutrients, and protection. These trees work together as a collective supporting the health and growth of the forest. Without this connection a tree has less chance of surviving, despite having what we imagined as all the right ingredients.

As a society it often feels like we underestimate these interconnections – both within nature and within ourselves. I grew up with an understanding that I could live anywhere my heart desired, that home was where the heart is. As I grow older though I have discovered that home is also where we are planted, and that in order to thrive and grow we need the network of community to support us. Like the forest floor, this network can sometimes feel difficult to see and feel, especially in our current times where much of our connection comes through a smartphone instead of person to person.

I have had the privilege of living on Vancouver Island for the past twenty years. Despite that, I still often feel like a visitor. My roots that connect me to place are not familiar with the unique properties of the soil here – I am a transplant. Even so I have tried my best to cultivate a connection with the place and the people. Like those transplanted trees, the secret to growth is first to understand the importance of the connections we share with one another and with the land. From this understanding we can begin to cultivate a healthy relationship with community.

There are still days where I feel like a lone seedling freshly planted in an unfamiliar forest. Still, other days, I can begin to see the network of connection and support I have cultivated through living my life here in Victoria. That network begins by understanding and appreciating your unique gifts and offerings that you bring to the world, and, in finding ways to offer that within your community. Establishing the web of interconnection that we need to thrive – in the way the forest has – takes time, persistence, and commitment.

The next time you’re out on a walk in the forest think about the vast network of connection and communication that exists under hand within the land. Feel it, sense it, connect with it. At the same time reflect on the invisible connections you have to the people in your life, in your community. I believe that being conscious of these connections helps them grow stronger. Taking actions that strengthen these connections helps us as individuals but also helps us as a culture.

09/18/2024

We are celebrating 17 years of service to the community.
Come celebrate with us on October 6th!
$10 Acupuncture.
Birthday Cake
and a Prize Draw!

09/14/2024

We are delighted to inform you that Katherine has joined us beginning September 4. Katherine is an amazing human and acupuncturist and we are so happy to have her as part of our team. Please show her some love and support. Drop in to one of her shifts on Wednesday mornings or Saturday and Sunday.

Hemma the home of community acupuncture and wellness

07/13/2025

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