Catherine Hopper

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

Mental Emotional Sleep

• Stress, Anxiety, Panic Attacks & Emotional Imbalances: Natural and effective approaches to promote profound relaxation, improve resilience to stressors, foster a sense of inner peace and emotional stability, and manage symptoms of overwhelm.
• Depression, Low Mood & Mood Swings (Supportive TCM Care): Holistic care aimed at supporting emotional balance, uplifting mood, increasing motivation, and enhancing overall mental well-being as part of an integrative mental health strategy.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support (TCM): Addressing TCM patterns often associated with trauma, such as Heart Shen disturbance, Liver Qi Stagnation, or Kidney Jing depletion.

Other Common

• Supportive Care During & After Cancer Treatments (Chemotherapy/Radiation Side Effects): Acupuncture, moxibustion, and gentle herbal therapies to help manage common side effects of conventional cancer treatments, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, pain, neuropathy, dry mouth, insomnia, and anxiety, thereby improving quality of life and treatment tolerance. (Always in coordination with primary oncology care).
• Support for Autoimmune Conditions (e.g., Hashimoto's, Lupus, MS - Adjunctive Care): A holistic and integrative TCM approach to help modulate the immune response, alleviate autoimmune-related fatigue and pain, and support the body’s innate healing capacities.
• Dizziness & Vertigo (TCM Perspective): Natural relief from sensations of spinning, lightheadedness, or unsteadiness by addressing the root energetic imbalance.

Respiratory Allergy Immune

• Weak Immune System & Recurrent Infections: A proactive and preventative TCM approach to enhance your body's natural defense mechanisms, reduce susceptibility to illness, and promote robust, long-term immunity.
• Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis & Cough (Supportive TCM Care): Holistic TCM care designed to improve breathing capacity, reduce reliance on inhalers (where appropriate and in consultation with an MD), clear persistent phlegm, and enhance overall respiratory health and resilience.
• 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.

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. Catherine can assess your needs.

• 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.
• Tui Na (Chinese Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork): Therapeutic massage techniques integrated with acupressure, joint mobilization, and stretching to address pain, tension, stress, and promote overall physical and energetic well-being.
• Acupressure & Meridian Therapy: Application of firm but gentle pressure to specific acupoints along the body's meridians using fingers, thumbs, or elbows to stimulate Qi flow, relieve pain, reduce tension, and promote relaxation and balance, similar to acupuncture but without needles.
• Gua Sha (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization - TCM): Traditional East Asian healing technique, often used for musculoskeletal pain, common cold, fever, or heatstroke, to address pain by moving stagnant Qi and Blood, clear heat, and promote tissue recovery.
• Comprehensive TCM Health Assessment & Pattern Diagnosis: Thorough first visit to understand your unique energetic constitution (Qi, Blood, Yin, Yang, Five Elements) and identify patterns of imbalance according to Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, leading to a precise TCM diagnosis.
• 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.
• 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.

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

• For those whose heartburn, acid reflux, or general indigestion after meals has made keeping up with their team during our weekly soccer match without pain limiting them seem difficult, Catherine's acupuncture and TCM care offers a path toward a noticeable reduction in muscle tension, tightness, and related discomfort or stiffness. These time-tested therapies can be instrumental in helping you get back to keeping up with their team during our weekly soccer match without pain limiting them with greater comfort.
• When wanting help to quit smoking or manage withdrawal symptoms from other addictions is limiting your lifestyle, acupuncture and TCM with Catherine can help you work towards accelerated recovery from sports injuries or repetitive strains, and a quicker, safer return to activity, aiming to restore harmony and optimal function so you can comfortably and safely enjoy engaging in gentle exercises like Tai Chi, Qigong, or yoga with improved balance, flexibility, and energy flow.
• Many individuals seek the expertise of Catherine, their Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, when looking for a holistic approach to managing a chronic health condition or autoimmune issue impacts their daily life. Through personalized TCM treatments, they often achieve enhanced fertility potential, optimized reproductive health, and better support during pregnancy and postpartum, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like reducing reliance on pain, sleep, or anxiety medications (always under medical guidance).
• Through personalized acupuncture and TCM with Catherine, common concerns like seasonal allergies (hay fever) making me sneeze, congested, and miserable are assessed from a holistic perspective to achieve reduced inflammation throughout the body, as indicated by symptoms or markers, helping people to once again enjoy maintaining a positive mood and outlook more consistently, leading to better social interactions.

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

Practicing at La Petite Clinique, situated in the central neighborhood of Sainte-Thérèse, Catherine's clinic offers a peaceful and accessible environment for healing. The clinic is conveniently located near local community centers and public parks, making it easy for patients to incorporate their treatments into daily routines. Accessible via local public transit routes, the clinic ensures that patients can reach their appointments with ease. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

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.

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

Patients in Quebec can typically consult a Registered Acupuncteur (Ac.) or Registered TCM Practitioner directly without requiring a physician's referral, a process 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. It is advisable to check the specifics of your insurance policy to confirm coverage.

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

Generally, services provided by a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) or Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) in private clinics are not covered by the provincial health plan (RAMQ). Patients usually pay out-of-pocket for these therapies. It is recommended to verify with your private insurance provider, as many plans offer varying levels of coverage for registered practitioners, which can help offset treatment costs.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a comprehensive medical system used for thousands of years to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness. It includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, Tui Na massage, cupping, moxibustion, and dietary/lifestyle advice. A Registered Acupuncturist uses these modalities to identify and correct imbalances in Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang, addressing root causes of health issues and promoting long-term wellness.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Acupuncture needles are extremely fine, sterile, and single-use, often not much thicker than a human hair. Most patients experience little to no discomfort during insertion, describing sensations such as a dull ache or warmth. The treatment is generally very relaxing, and safety is a priority—only sterile, disposable needles are used. Always communicate with your practitioner if you experience any discomfort.

What are Cupping, Moxibustion, Gua Sha, and Tui Na?

These are adjunct therapies in TCM. Cupping involves creating suction on the skin with glass or silicone cups to improve circulation and relieve muscle tension. Moxibustion involves burning mugwort near or on acupuncture points to warm and stimulate Qi and Blood flow. Gua Sha is the gentle scraping of the skin with a smooth-edged tool to enhance circulation and reduce pain. Tui Na is a therapeutic massage that manipulates acupressure points and meridians to relieve pain and promote harmony. Your practitioner can advise on the appropriateness of these therapies for your condition.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles at specific points on the body to stimulate the flow of Qi and restore balance. It can help manage pain, reduce stress, improve sleep, support digestive health, and address many other conditions by activating the body's natural healing mechanisms.

La Petite Clinique
92, rue St-Joseph
Sainte-Thérèse, QC, J7E 3L9

Phone: (450) 508-3622

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

Registration Number: A-014-03

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.