Avery Elizebeth Knechtel

Avery Elizebeth Knechtel provides skilled Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Mental Emotional Sleep

• Addiction Support (e.g., Smoking Cessation, Substance Cravings - NADA Protocol): Natural and effective aid to assist individuals in their journey to overcome addictive behaviors and reduce reliance on harmful substances.
• Insomnia & Various Sleep Disorders (e.g., Difficulty Falling/Staying Asleep, Dream-Disturbed Sleep): Identifying specific TCM patterns contributing to poor sleep (e.g., difficulty falling asleep versus waking frequently) and providing personalized treatments to re-establish healthy sleep-wake cycles.
• Depression, Low Mood & Mood Swings (Supportive TCM Care): Addressing emotional stagnation (especially Liver Qi Stagnation), clearing internal 'Heat' or 'Dampness' that can cloud the mind, and improving overall mental clarity and outlook with acupuncture and herbal support.

Pain Musculoskeletal

• Neuropathic Pain & Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g., Diabetic Neuropathy Support, Post-Herpetic Neuralgia): Effective TCM management strategies for shooting, burning, or electric-shock like pain that follows nerve pathways, aiming to improve sensation and function.
• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ/TMD) Dysfunction & Jaw Pain: Natural and effective relief for jaw discomfort, helping to restore normal jaw function and reduce parafunctional habits like clenching or grinding.
• Arthritis & Joint Pain (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis - Supportive Care): TCM approaches, including acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine, to reduce joint inflammation, alleviate pain, decrease stiffness, and improve function in individuals with various forms of arthritis.
• Sports Injuries (e.g., Sprains, Strains, Tendinitis) & Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI): Comprehensive TCM strategies to manage pain, improve healing, and address underlying imbalances that may contribute to recurrent sports injuries or repetitive strain conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.

Dermatological Skin

• Acne (Vulgaris, Cystic, Hormonal): Natural solutions for clearer skin, aiming to reduce blemishes, prevent scarring, and promote a healthy complexion.
• Urticaria (Hives) & Allergic Skin Reactions: Natural relief from acute and chronic hives, aiming to reduce frequency and severity of episodes.
• Rosacea (Supportive TCM Care): Addressing underlying inflammation and vascular reactivity contributing to rosacea flare-ups.

This list offers examples of conditions commonly addressed. TCM diagnosis is based on individual patterns, so if your specific concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic. Avery Elizebeth can assess your needs.

• Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture / Acupressure / Ear Seeds: Ear acupuncture or acupressure (using seeds for prolonged stimulation) to address issues like pain, addiction (e.g., smoking cessation, NADA protocol), stress, anxiety, and internal disorders by targeting corresponding reflex points on the ear.
• Acupuncture Treatment (Body Acupuncture): A therapeutic technique involving strategic needling of acupoints to restore balance between Yin and Yang, treating a wide range of health conditions from musculoskeletal pain to internal medicine disorders.
• Cupping Therapy (Fire Cupping, Sliding Cupping, Stationary Cupping): Utilizing cupping techniques to alleviate musculoskeletal pain (back, shoulder, neck), clear stagnation, support detoxification, and relieve symptoms of common colds or asthma.
• Acupressure & Meridian Therapy: Targeting key energy points on the body with precise pressure to alleviate symptoms, support organ function, and enhance overall well-being.
• Electroacupuncture: Combining traditional acupuncture with modern microcurrent technology to amplify pain relief, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue healing and nerve regeneration.
• Moxibustion (Moxa Therapy): The therapeutic application of heat from burning processed mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) near or on the skin at specific acupuncture points or areas of the body. This warms meridians, stimulates Qi and Blood flow, dispels Cold and Dampness, strengthens Yang energy, and can alleviate conditions associated with cold, stagnation, or deficiency.
• Motor Point Acupuncture / Dry Needling (TCM Context): Targeting specific motor points (areas where nerves enter muscles) or Ashi (tender) points with acupuncture needles to release muscle trigger points, alleviate myofascial pain, restore muscle function, and improve range of motion. (May be described as dry needling when performed by an acupuncturist within a TCM framework).

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Avery Elizebeth, or to discuss your specific needs, please contact the clinic.

All services are provided in accordance with the scope of practice for Registered TCM Practitioners in BC and the standards set by The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.

At Mindful Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Avery Elizebeth frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• The journey to enhanced stress management capabilities and improved coping mechanisms for daily pressures when faced with trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up feeling tired and unrefreshed can be supported by Avery Elizebeth's expertise in acupuncture and TCM, often leading to a more comfortable and active return to pastimes like cycling longer distances with their cycling club without discomfort.
• Through the gentle yet powerful methods of TCM, Avery Elizebeth assists patients with brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or poor memory in reaching feeling empowered with practical self-care techniques, such as acupressure, moxibustion for home use, or specific TCM dietary advice, fostering a return to beloved activities like returning to a specific physical hobby they had to give up due to pain.
• The path to overcoming digestive issues like bloating, gas, cramps, constipation, or diarrhea (IBS-like symptoms) and achieving improved mobility, flexibility, and range of motion in previously stiff or painful joints and muscles is often clearer with TCM. Avery Elizebeth guides patients toward reclaiming activities such as actively participating in family outings and vacations without holding others back with improved health.
• Avery Elizebeth believes in a partnership with patients. When general muscle tension, stiffness, and aches throughout my body arises, a collaborative TCM plan targets effective alleviation of some common side effects associated with conventional medical treatments like chemotherapy, enabling a more active lifestyle including reaching for items on high shelves or in cupboards without shoulder strain.

Your personalized TCM treatment plan, developed with Avery Elizebeth, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives using a holistic and time-tested approach.

Avery Elizebeth practices at Mindful Medicine, situated in the Fairfield East neighborhood of Oaklands in Victoria. The clinic is conveniently located near Antique Row, making it easy to access for local residents and visitors alike. The clinic is well-connected via the Victoria Regional Transit System (BC Transit), ensuring public transportation options are readily available. Our clinic offers a serene environment conducive to healing, with accessible entry and typically available parking options for patients arriving by car.

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Registered TCM Practitioner in BC?

In British Columbia, patients can typically see a Registered TCM Practitioner, such as a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner, directly without requiring a physician's referral—this is known as direct access. However, while a referral is not legally necessary, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. Patients are advised to check their individual insurance policies to confirm coverage requirements.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi (pronounced 'chee') is often translated as 'vital energy' or 'life force.' It is considered the fundamental energy that flows throughout the body, responsible for all physiological processes, movement, warmth, and immune defense. Meridians are specific pathways through which Qi and Blood circulate, connecting internal organs with the body's exterior, including muscles, skin, and sensory organs. Acupuncture points are located along these meridians, where the flow of Qi can be accessed and manipulated to restore balance and promote health.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture involves inserting fine, sterile needles into specific points called acupoints along meridians to stimulate and balance the flow of Qi. This can help reduce pain, alleviate stress, improve sleep, regulate bodily functions such as digestion and hormones, enhance immune response, and support overall well-being by activating the body's natural healing mechanisms.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Most people find acupuncture to be comfortable; the needles are very thin, and insertion often causes little to no discomfort. Patients may feel a slight pinch or a dull ache, warmth, or tingling at the site, which indicates effective stimulation. Many experience deep relaxation and may even fall asleep. All needles are sterile, single-use, and inserted by trained practitioners to ensure safety. If any discomfort or pain occurs, patients should inform their practitioner immediately.

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how can a Registered TCM Practitioner help?

TCM is a holistic health system based on ancient principles, focusing on restoring balance within the body. A Registered TCM Practitioner assesses your overall health using methods such as tongue and pulse diagnosis, then develops a personalized treatment plan that may include acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, and lifestyle or dietary recommendations to promote healing and well-being.

Are Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine services covered by Medical Services Plan (MSP) in BC?

Services provided by Registered Acupuncturists or Registered TCM Practitioners in private clinics are generally not covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) in BC. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket for these services. However, many private and extended health insurance plans offer coverage for treatments by registered practitioners. Patients are encouraged to verify their individual insurance policies to understand the extent of coverage.

Mindful Medicine
1310 Gladstone Ave
Victoria, BC, V8R 1S1

Phone: (778) 676-8130

Avery Elizebeth Knechtel is regulated by the Health Professions Act (British Columbia) in BC and is a registered member of The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.

Registration can typically be verified with The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are holistic therapies. It is recommended to also consult with your medical doctor for diagnosis of serious conditions and for emergency medical care. TCM can often complement conventional treatments effectively.