Brigitte Martin

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

Pain Musculoskeletal

• Fibromyalgia & Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Personalized treatment plans aimed at reducing pain sensitivity, improving energy levels, enhancing sleep quality, and restoring a better quality of life for those with fibromyalgia or widespread myofascial pain.
• 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.
• Neuropathic Pain & Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g., Diabetic Neuropathy Support, Post-Herpetic Neuralgia): Acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and related therapies to relieve radiating nerve pain, numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness associated with conditions like sciatica or peripheral neuropathy by improving microcirculation, reducing nerve inflammation, and promoting nerve regeneration.
• Chronic & Acute Pain (e.g., Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Sciatica): Natural and effective relief for persistent or sudden onset pain located in the lumbar or cervical spine, shoulders, hips, knees, and other joints or soft tissues.

Respiratory Allergy Immune

• Common Cold, Flu & Viral Infections (Prevention & Accelerated Recovery): Natural support for strengthening your immunity, reducing susceptibility to common infections, and helping you recover more quickly and completely when you do get sick.
• 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.

Other Common

• Bell's Palsy & Facial Paralysis Recovery: Acupuncture (often including electroacupuncture) and herbal medicine to help stimulate nerve regeneration, improve muscle tone, and accelerate recovery from Bell's Palsy or other forms of facial paralysis by expelling Wind, invigorating Qi and Blood flow to the facial meridians.
• Support for Autoimmune Conditions (e.g., Hashimoto's, Lupus, MS - Adjunctive Care): TCM therapies, including acupuncture and specific herbal formulas, used as an adjunctive approach to help regulate immune system function, reduce inflammation, manage symptoms, and improve quality of life for individuals with various autoimmune conditions. (Always in conjunction with specialist medical care).
• Dizziness & Vertigo (TCM Perspective): Acupuncture and herbal formulas to address various types of dizziness and vertigo by treating underlying TCM patterns such as Liver Yang Rising, Phlegm-Damp obstruction, or Qi and Blood deficiency.

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. Brigitte can assess your needs.

• TCM Tongue Diagnosis: Detailed observation of the tongue's color, shape, size, coating, cracks, and moisture to gain crucial insights into the state of your internal organs, fluid balance, and overall energetic balance.
• Acupuncture Treatment (Body Acupuncture): Customized acupuncture sessions designed to address your specific symptoms and underlying TCM pattern diagnosis, encouraging the body's powerful self-healing mechanisms and promoting overall well-being.
• Comprehensive TCM Health Assessment & Pattern Diagnosis: A detailed initial consultation involving an in-depth discussion of your health history, symptoms, lifestyle, emotional state, and a traditional TCM diagnostic assessment (palpation, observation, listening/smelling, pulse, and tongue diagnosis) to identify your unique TCM pattern of disharmony.
• 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.
• Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture / Acupressure / Ear Seeds: A specialized microsystem technique focusing on the ear's numerous reflexology points to influence overall health, manage cravings, and support emotional well-being, often used as a standalone or adjunctive therapy.
• 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).
• 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.

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

All services are provided in accordance with the scope of practice for Registered Acupuncturists in QC and the standards set by The Ordre des acupuncteurs du Québec.

At Clinique de physiothérapie et ostéopathie de Saint-Thomas d'Aquin, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Brigitte frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Rediscover your ability to engaging in gentle exercises like Tai Chi, Qigong, or yoga with improved balance, flexibility, and energy flow without the burden of general feeling of being 'off' or 'out of balance' energetically. Brigitte focuses on TCM treatment plans that lead to experiencing more regular, balanced, and manageable menstrual cycles with substantially reduced PMS or PMDD symptoms, integrating various therapeutic techniques to support your body's healing.
• Struggling with ringing in the ears (tinnitus) that’s bothersome? Brigitte develops individualized TCM treatment plans aimed at achieving a significant reduction in allergy symptoms (sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes) and less reliance on allergy medications, key to helping you get back to doing actively participating in family outings and vacations without holding others back with improved well-being and energy.
• If frequent headaches or intense migraines disrupting my life is affecting your ability to participate in spending hours gardening comfortably, without subsequent back or knee strain, Brigitte's TCM approach aims for enhanced stress management capabilities and improved coping mechanisms for daily pressures, helping you to regain your stride.
• The journey to reduced inflammation throughout the body, as indicated by symptoms or markers when faced with frequent colds, feeling like my immune system is weak, or taking a long time to recover from illness can be supported by Brigitte's expertise in acupuncture and TCM, often leading to a more comfortable and active return to pastimes like enjoying seasonal changes with fewer allergy flare-ups and more outdoor time.

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

Brigitte practices at Clinique de physiothérapie et ostéopathie de Saint-Thomas d'Aquin, situated in the heart of Saint-Hyacinthe, in an accessible acupuncture and TCM clinic located in the central neighborhood. The clinic is conveniently positioned near local community centers and public parks, making it easy for clients to incorporate treatments into their daily routines. Easily accessible via local public transit routes, the clinic offers a tranquil environment designed to promote healing and relaxation. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Metered and paid parking lots are usually found in the vicinity.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system that has been used for thousands of years to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness. It includes therapies such as acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tui Na (therapeutic massage), cupping, moxibustion, and dietary/lifestyle advice. A Registered Acupuncturist (e.g., Registered TCM Practitioner or Acupuncturist using TCM principles) uses these tools to address the root cause of health issues by identifying and correcting imbalances in the body's Qi (vital energy), Blood, Yin, and Yang. It can help with a wide array of conditions, aiming to restore harmony and promote long-term health.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves the insertion of very fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body called acupoints. According to TCM theory, this helps to stimulate and balance the flow of Qi (vital energy) along pathways known as meridians. Acupuncture can help by reducing pain, alleviating stress and anxiety, improving sleep, regulating bodily functions (like digestion and hormones), boosting the immune system, and promoting overall well-being by encouraging the body's natural healing abilities.

Approximately how many Acupuncture/TCM sessions will I need and how often?

This is very individual. Some acute problems might resolve in just a few closely spaced sessions, while chronic conditions often require a series of treatments, perhaps once or twice a week initially, then tapering off as your condition improves over several weeks or months. Your Registered Acupuncturist will be able to give you a better estimate after your first visit and will reassess your progress regularly to adjust the treatment frequency. The goal is to achieve stable improvement and then maintain it with less frequent visits if necessary.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Acupuncture needles are extremely fine, sterile, and single-use, often not much thicker than a human hair, so their insertion is usually painless or feels like a tiny prick, much less intense than an injection. Once the needles are in place, you might feel a unique sensation such as a dull ache, warmth, tingling, a slight feeling of pressure or heaviness, or even a sensation of energy moving; these are generally considered positive signs that the Qi is being influenced and the treatment is taking effect. Most people find acupuncture to be a very relaxing and calming experience. Safety is paramount; registered practitioners use only sterile, disposable needles. Always communicate with your Registered Acupuncturist if you experience any significant discomfort during treatment.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

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

Are Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine services covered by Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC?

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 RAMQ. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket. It is advisable to check your private or extended health insurance plans, as many offer varying degrees of coverage for these services when performed by registered practitioners.

Is TCM and Acupuncture suitable for children or the elderly?

Yes, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture can be very beneficial and safe for both children and the elderly when administered by a qualified and experienced Registered Acupuncturist. For children, practitioners often use gentle techniques, including non-needle methods like Shonishin, acupressure, or very fine, quickly inserted needles when appropriate. Doses for herbal medicine are also adjusted accordingly. For elderly patients, treatments are tailored to their specific health conditions, often focusing on managing chronic pain, improving mobility, increasing vitality, and supporting overall health. All treatments are individualized to ensure safety and comfort.

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Registered Acupuncturist in QC?

In Quebec, patients can typically consult a Registered Acupuncturist directly without a physician's referral. However, some private insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is recommended to verify with your insurance provider to confirm their specific requirements.

Clinique de physiothérapie et ostéopathie de Saint-Thomas d'Aquin
101-6165, boul. Laframboise
Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, J2R 1G2

Phone: (450) 796-1212

Brigitte Martin is regulated by the Professional Code (Quebec) in QC and is a registered member of The Ordre des acupuncteurs du Québec.

Registration Number: A-022-02

Registration can typically be verified with The Ordre des acupuncteurs du Québec.

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.