Services
Acupuncture
Heather Dorst, LAc, RN
Marilyn Burdekin, M.Ac., L.Ac., RN
Acupuncture originated in China about 3,000 years ago. Despite modernization and attempts to eradicate its use, the practice of acupuncture continues for one simple reason — it works.
Acupuncture works by redistributing energy or Qi among the meridians and the organs they pass through. Illness results when there is a blockage in a meridian and Qi cannot flow freely. The acupuncturist is trained to recognize hundreds of precise points at which blockages can occur.
By influencing the Qi at these points, the practitioner encourages the body to restore balance and equilibrium. Acupuncture can be effective in treating the following conditions: addictions, digestive concerns, gynecological problems, immune system disorders, pain, respiratory problems, stress, anxiety and emotional issues.
Super-fine sterile needles are inserted into the skin at some of the 300 points on the body. Each point has a specific effect on the body and the licensed acupuncturist combines these points to tailor the treatment to the needs of the individual in order to promote healing.
Asian Bodywork/Shiatsu
Dee S. Weir, CMT, Dipl. ABT
Liselle Magistrelli, CMT, Dipl. ABT
Asian Bodywork/Shiatsu employs gentle and rhythmic pressure on acupressure points and meridians to loosen and stretch muscles and connective tissue to promote healing. Working with the same energy/meridian system as in acupuncture, this therapeutic technique enhances vitality and encourages the body’s own natural healing abilities.
Along with acupuncture and herbalism, Asian bodywork is one of the three branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Other techniques from Five-element and Zen traditions are incorporated in the session depending on the needs of the client. Therapist and client work together to create the most appropriate level of treatment.
Shiatsu and Asian Bodywork can address a multitude of issues including stress relief, back problems, headaches, respiratory digestive and systemic problems as well as colds, flu, allergies, and physical injuries.
Bio Energetic Syncronization Technique (BEST)
Bio Energetic Syncronization Technique (BEST) is a non-forceful, energy balancing hands on procedure used to help reestablish the full healing potential of the body. Understanding the body makes no mistakes regarding health and longevity, B.E.S.T. principles acknowledge the concept of Interference we create with our conscious mind. This Interference caused imbalance in the autonomic nervous system leading to exhaustion of our organ systems over time. Researched at major universities, taught in several Chiropractic Colleges and in professional continuing education seminars, B.E.S.T. is recognized as an effective healing science.
Process Acupressure
Often described as “acupuncture without needles,” Acupressure promotes balance, rejuvenation, and wellness by accessing and addressing the vital energies of the body. Acupressure promotes better health and renewed energy by actively involving the client in his or her own healing and growth process.
Clinical Acupressure utilizes fundamental acupressure methods to support the body’s own balancing and healing processes. All parts of a human being, and nature itself, are interconnected and dependent on each other. Teachings about this perspective can be traced back thousands of years. The Chinese mapped predictable energy pathways (meridians) throughout the body nearly 4000 years ago, and have been using them as a health reference ever since. Ancient teachings from India inform us about major energy centers in the body (chakras).
Process Acupressure, sharing the same principles as Clinical Acupressure, is a “whole-person” therapeutic modality. Process Acupressure integrates these ancient teachings with contemporary psychological and spiritual understanding to promote health and self-responsibility for wellbeing. The experience of receiving this work is authentic and empowering. Process Acupressure is unprecedented in its simplicity and effectiveness for enhancing personal growth.
A full acupressure session can take from 1 to 1 1/2 hours. The client lies fully clothed on a massage table while the practitioner applies gentle pressure to the acupoints. Clinical Acupressure can address many common physical symptoms, including back problems, headaches, respiratory, digestive and systemic problems as well as colds, flu, allergies and healing from injuries. Hands-on work, with the fully clothed body, releases and strengthens the body’s energy systems–meridians and chakras. Process acupressure generally follows 3 stages; a state of relaxation occurs, the client may go into a deeper state of awareness to access clarity or guidance about the issues at hand, and integration and completion of the process occur as the session is closed.
These forms of acupressure are especially helpful with stress-related conditions, including post-traumatic stress. It is not appropriate for severe medical problems or psychosis and does not supplant medical care.
Access the Soul Lightening website for additional information.
Herbalism
Jillian Borchard, M.S., R.H.(AHG)
Marilyn Burdekin, M.Ac., L.Ac., RN
Herbalism is one of the oldest healing arts. Modern herbalism is based on traditional practice, scientific research, and clinical experience. Combined, this knowledge of plants is used to treat individuals and to assist in the recovery from physical ailments.
Lomilomi
Liselle Magistrelli, CMT, Dipl. ABT
Lomilomi, (Hawaiian: masseur, masseuse) is the word used today to describe Hawaiian massage, traditionally called lomi (Hawaiian: To rub, press, squeeze, massage; to work in and out, as the claws of a contented cat).
Lomilomi practitioners use the palms, forearm, fingers, knuckles, elbows, knees, feet, even sticks and stones. Lomilomi practices varied by family, ahupua’a (region) and island. Traditionally, lomilomi was practiced in four contexts:
- As a healing practice of native healers — kahuna la’au lapa’au (healers) and kahuna haha (diagnosticians)
- As a luxury and an aid to digestion, especially by the ruling chiefs (ali’i)
- As restorative massage within the family
- By ’olohe lua (masters of the Hawaiian martial arts).
Like all endeavors in old Hawaii, lomilomi was conducted with prayer and intention.
Lomilomi is now a common and popular form of massage throughout the world, especially in Hawaii, Japan and Europe. Traditionally taught lomilomi practitioners prefer to treat selected clients quietly and privately. Lomilomi practitioners may also ask their clients to pray, meditate, change their diets, and engage in other self-help activities usually believed to lie outside the scope of massage. Lomilomi is a holistic healing tradition beyond simple massage.
Massage Therapy
Carol Lancaster, LMT
Carol Wetherill, LMT
Dawn Nabulsi, LMT, BEST
Jo Anne Rickard, LMT
Liselle Magistrilli, LMT, Dipl. ABT
Massage therapy is the manipulation of the soft-tissues of the body in order to rehabilitate, and enhance the body’s functions. Massage therapy helps alleviate soft tissue discomfort due to work, over-use, and chronic pain syndromes. It is also effective for use in trauma, injury related pain, pregnancy, and stress relief. The holistic view of massage is to promote and increase the body’s well being, and improve mind/body awareness.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapists work with individuals, couples, families and groups to help them overcome a range of psychological and emotional issues. With the client as an active participant, psychotherapists use personal treatment plans and a variety of non-medical-based treatments to:
- address the client’s thought processes, feelings and behaviour;
- understand inner conflicts;
- find new ways to deal with, and alleviate, distress.
Psychotherapists take a variety of approaches according to the theoretical models they adopt and the therapy they practice.
Reiki
Liselle Magistrilli, LMT, Dipl. ABT
Reiki is a form of spiritual practice used as a complementary therapy for the treatment of physical, emotional, and mental diseases. Mikao Usui developed Reiki in the mid 19th century Japan, where he said he received the ability of ‘healing without energy depletion’ after three weeks of fasting and meditating on Mount Kurama. Practitioners use a technique similar to the laying on of hands, to channel “healing energy” (ki). Energy flows through the practitioner’s palms to bring about healing and that the method can be used for self-treatment as well as treatment of others.
Shamanic Healing
Shamanic healing is an extremely old healing art, going back tens of thousands of years and encompassing a myriad of cultures. There’s Hawaiian shamanism, African shamanism, Celtic shamanism, Peruvian shamanism, Jewish Shamanism, Mongolian shamanism… But at their core, each of these cultures is extremely similar. A shamanic practitioner:
- draws on these ancient and ever-evolving traditions;
- works with a client’s energy, removing heavy, negative, energy and gifting the client with positivity, life-changing energy;
- enters into an altered state of consciousness (“goes on a journey”) to diagnose and deal with the spiritual aspect of an illness. (The spiritual aspect of an illness can show up in physical, mental, or emotional form.)
Shamanic healing:
- is healing of the soul;
- fits any spiritual tradition;
- is complementary healing that works well with in tandem with other alternative and conventional healing arts, including clinical counseling and western medicine.
Shamanism is not a religion; but shamanic healing can help people strengthen their spirituality, choose hope over fear, deepen their intuition, make difficult decisions; and strengthen their creativity.