Barbara Diane Cook

Barbara Diane Cook provides skilled Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Mental Emotional Sleep

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support (TCM): Supportive TCM care to help restore a sense of safety, peace, and emotional resilience for those affected by trauma.
• 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.

Dermatological Skin

• Psoriasis (Supportive TCM Care): Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies, including acupuncture and herbal medicine, to help manage psoriasis flare-ups by clearing Blood Heat, invigorating Blood circulation, resolving Dampness, and nourishing Yin to address skin scaling, redness, and itching. (As an adjunct to dermatological care).
• Urticaria (Hives) & Allergic Skin Reactions: Acupuncture and anti-allergic herbal formulas to reduce itching, redness, and welts associated with hives by expelling Wind, clearing Heat, and calming allergic responses in the skin.
• Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) & Dermatitis: Addressing internal imbalances that manifest as skin irritation and inflammation, aiming for long-term relief and healthier skin.

Respiratory Allergy & Immune

• Weak Immune System & Recurrent Infections: TCM strategies, including regular acupuncture, moxibustion, and constitutional herbal tonics, to strengthen the body's overall defensive energy (Wei Qi) and address underlying deficiencies in Qi, Blood, Yin, or Yang that may lead to a weakened immune system and frequent infections (e.g., colds, sinus infections, UTIs).
• Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis & Cough (Supportive TCM Care): Addressing underlying Lung, Spleen, and Kidney deficiencies that often contribute to chronic respiratory conditions and recurrent coughs, aiming to reduce frequency and severity of attacks.
• Common Cold, Flu & Viral Infections (Prevention & Accelerated Recovery): Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies, including preventative acupuncture and immune-boosting herbs, to help strengthen the body's resistance to colds and flu. For active infections, TCM aims to accelerate recovery by expelling pathogens (Wind, Cold, Heat, Damp), relieving symptoms like fever, chills, sore throat, cough, body aches, and fatigue.
• Allergies (Seasonal/Environmental, e.g., Hay Fever, Allergic Rhinitis) & Sinusitis: Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and TCM dietary advice to reduce allergic reactions and sensitivities, alleviate symptoms like sneezing, itchy/watery eyes, nasal congestion, and sinus pain, and strengthen the body's defensive Qi (Wei Qi) to make it less reactive to allergens.

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. Barbara Diane can assess your needs.

• TCM Lifestyle & Wellness Coaching (Yang Sheng): Holistic guidance on lifestyle adjustments based on TCM principles of Yang Sheng (Nourishing Life), including recommendations for appropriate exercise (e.g., Tai Chi, Qigong), sleep hygiene, stress management techniques (e.g., meditation, breathwork), emotional cultivation, and attunement to natural and seasonal rhythms to promote optimal health, prevent illness, and enhance longevity.
• TCM Dietary Therapy & Nutritional Counseling (Shi Liao): Using food as medicine according to traditional Chinese dietary wisdom to strengthen organ function (especially Spleen and Stomach), improve digestion, build Qi and Blood, clear pathogenic factors, and promote overall harmony and longevity.
• TCM Observation & Palpation Diagnosis: A holistic diagnostic approach incorporating visual assessment and physical touch to complement tongue and pulse diagnosis for a complete TCM picture.
• Customized Chinese Herbal Medicine Prescription (R.TCMP Scope): Utilizing the synergistic therapeutic properties of traditional Chinese herbs, often in complex combinations, to restore organ function (Zang-Fu), balance Yin, Yang, Qi, and Blood, and promote profound healing from within by addressing the root cause of illness.
• Classical & Patent Chinese Herbal Formulas: Convenient and effective classical herbal formulations, often derived from famous ancient prescriptions, to complement your acupuncture treatment or as a standalone therapy for various health concerns.
• TCM Pulse Diagnosis (Sphygmology): Assessing up to 28 distinct pulse qualities to contribute to a comprehensive TCM diagnosis, guiding the selection of appropriate acupuncture points and herbal formulas.
• Herbal Medicine Preparation & Counseling: Providing guidance on the preparation and proper usage of prescribed herbal formulas, including decoction instructions for raw herbs, dosage for granules or pills, and advice on potential dietary interactions or lifestyle adjustments to enhance herbal efficacy.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Barbara Diane, 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 Timber Massage and Wellness, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Barbara Diane frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• For those whose general muscle tension, stiffness, and aches throughout my body has made having the consistent energy and motivation to pursue creative outlets, learning, or personal passions seem difficult, Barbara Diane's acupuncture and TCM care offers a path toward experiencing fewer and less intense headaches or migraines, leading to more pain-free days. These time-tested therapies can be instrumental in helping you get back to having the consistent energy and motivation to pursue creative outlets, learning, or personal passions with greater comfort.
• Acupuncture and TCM with Barbara Diane can be a turning point for those affected by general feeling of being 'off' or 'out of balance' energetically. The goal is achieving a more positive outlook and improved mood stability, paving the way for you to enjoy spending hours gardening comfortably, without subsequent back or knee strain and a more balanced, vibrant life.
• With Barbara Diane, an Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, individuals with seasonal allergies (hay fever) making me sneeze, congested, and miserable are guided towards visible improvement in chronic skin conditions like eczema, acne, or psoriasis, with healthier-looking skin, focusing on restoring the body's natural balance to enjoy simply enjoying leisurely daily walks around their neighborhood for fresh air and mental clarity again with greater zest.
• The path to overcoming feeling stressed out, anxious, overwhelmed, or panicky most of the time and achieving achieving more regular, comfortable, and predictable bowel movements is often clearer with TCM. Barbara Diane guides patients toward reclaiming activities such as shoveling snow or raking leaves without aggravating their back with improved health.

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

Barbara Diane practices at Timber Massage and Wellness, situated in the central Powell River neighborhood of Powell River. The clinic is conveniently located near local community centers and public parks, making it easy for clients to access. Public transit routes serve the area, providing additional accessibility. The clinic offers a serene environment for healing, with parking options typically available for visitors seeking comfort and convenience.

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

Acupuncture and TCM services provided by a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) or Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) in a private clinic are generally NOT covered by provincial health plans like Medical Services Plan (MSP) in BC. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket for these services. However, many private and extended health insurance plans offer coverage for treatments provided by registered practitioners, so patients are strongly advised to check their individual insurance policies, as coverage levels can vary significantly.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture involves inserting very fine, sterile needles into specific points called acupoints to stimulate Qi (vital energy) along meridians. It helps to reduce pain, alleviate stress, improve sleep, regulate bodily functions, boost immunity, and support overall well-being by encouraging the body's natural healing processes.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

In TCM, Qi (pronounced 'chee') is the vital energy or life force that flows throughout the body, responsible for physiological functions and protection against illness. Meridians are specific pathways that circulate Qi and Blood, connecting internal organs with the body's exterior. Acupuncture points are located along these meridians and are used to access and influence Qi flow to restore balance and health.

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

TCM is a holistic approach based on ancient principles. A Registered TCM Practitioner assesses your overall health, looking for patterns of imbalance through tongue and pulse diagnosis. Treatments may include acupuncture, herbal formulas, cupping, moxibustion, and lifestyle advice to restore balance and promote healing.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

For most people, acupuncture is not painful. The needles are very thin, and many experience little to no discomfort. Some sensations may include a slight pinch or dull ache, warmth, or tingling, indicating effective stimulation. All needles are sterile and single-use, and practitioners are trained to ensure safety. If any pain occurs, patients should inform their practitioner immediately.

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

Patients in BC can typically see a Registered TCM Practitioner directly without a physician's referral (known as direct access). However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. Patients are advised to check their insurance policies to confirm specific requirements.

Timber Massage and Wellness
6935 Harvie Ave
Powell River, BC, V8A 5H9

Phone: (250) 218-4614

Barbara Diane Cook 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.