Christine Isabelle

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

Pain Musculoskeletal

• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ/TMD) Dysfunction & Jaw Pain: Acupuncture and local soft tissue techniques to alleviate jaw pain, clicking, locking, and muscle tension associated with TMJ disorders by relaxing masticatory muscles, reducing inflammation, and improving local Qi and Blood flow.
• 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.

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).
• 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: Natural and effective strategies for managing acute allergy symptoms and reducing the frequency and severity of chronic allergic rhinitis or sinusitis.
• 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.

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. Christine can assess your needs.

• 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).
• Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture / Acupressure / Ear Seeds: Stimulation of specific reflex points on the ear (auricle) using fine needles, small seeds (e.g., vaccaria seeds), or beads affixed with tape to treat various health conditions throughout the body, based on the principle that the ear is a microsystem reflecting the entire body.
• 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.
• Electroacupuncture: Combining traditional acupuncture with modern microcurrent technology to amplify pain relief, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue healing and nerve regeneration.
• 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.
• 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): 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.

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

• Christine frequently assists patients in overcoming wanting to support my body's natural detoxification processes using TCM principles. A carefully designed treatment plan, targeting effective alleviation of some common side effects associated with conventional medical treatments like chemotherapy, supports your enthusiastic engagement in desired activities like shoveling snow or raking leaves without aggravating their back.
• Through the gentle yet powerful methods of TCM, Christine assists patients with feeling tired all the time, experiencing chronic fatigue, or lacking vitality in reaching significant and lasting reduction in acute or chronic pain levels, fostering a return to beloved activities like running their usual 5k route without knee or back pain.
• For those whose irregular, painful, or heavy periods, or really difficult PMS symptoms has made experiencing clearer sinuses and easier breathing during daily activities and exercise seem difficult, Christine's acupuncture and TCM care offers a path toward experiencing more regular, balanced, and manageable menstrual cycles with substantially reduced PMS or PMDD symptoms. These time-tested therapies can be instrumental in helping you get back to experiencing clearer sinuses and easier breathing during daily activities and exercise with greater comfort.
• Many individuals seek the expertise of Christine, their Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, when brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or poor memory impacts their daily life. Through personalized TCM treatments, they often achieve an enhanced overall quality of life and a greater capacity to enjoy daily activities and social engagements, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like participating in activities like yoga or meditation with greater ease, comfort, and deeper relaxation.

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

Christine practices at Ostéo & Cie, situated in a central Boisbriand neighborhood within an accessible acupuncture and TCM clinic. The clinic is conveniently located near local community centers and public parks, making it easy for patients to incorporate their visits into daily routines. Easily accessible via local public transit routes, the clinic offers a serene environment designed for healing and relaxation. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Convenient parking options are typically accessible.

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

In Quebec, patients can typically see a Registered Acupuncteur (Ac.) or Registered TCM Practitioner directly without a physician's referral, thanks to the principle of direct access. However, it is important to note that some private and extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. Patients are strongly advised to check their individual insurance policies to understand their coverage requirements.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture, performed by a qualified Registered Acupuncturist, involves inserting very fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the flow of Qi (vital energy). Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, it helps restore balance, alleviate pain, reduce stress, and improve overall health. It can be effective for conditions like chronic pain, headaches, sleep disturbances, digestive issues, and more by activating the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Is TCM and Acupuncture suitable for children or the elderly?

Yes, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are safe and effective options for children and seniors when administered by a qualified and experienced Registered Acupuncturist. For children, practitioners often use gentle techniques such as non-needle methods like Shonishin, acupressure, or very fine needles if appropriate. For elderly patients, treatments are tailored to individual health conditions, often focusing on managing chronic pain, improving mobility, and supporting vitality. All treatments are personalized to ensure safety and comfort.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic health system rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy. A Registered Acupuncturist assesses your overall health and identifies patterns of imbalance through tongue and pulse diagnosis. Treatment may involve acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, and lifestyle and dietary advice to restore harmony and promote healing based on your unique constitution.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Acupuncture needles are extremely fine, sterile, and single-use, often not much thicker than a human hair. The insertion usually causes little to no discomfort, often described as a tiny prick. You may feel sensations like warmth, tingling, heaviness, or energy movement, which indicate that Qi is being stimulated. Most find acupuncture to be very relaxing and calming. Registered practitioners strictly use sterile, disposable needles to ensure safety. If you experience discomfort, always communicate with your practitioner.

What types of conditions do Registered Acupuncturists at Ostéo & Cie treat?

Our Registered Acupuncturists treat a wide range of health concerns using Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. This includes, but is not limited to, Stress, Anxiety, Panic Attacks & Emotional Imbalances, Chronic pain conditions like back pain or arthritis, digestive issues such as chronic constipation or diarrhea, sleep disorders, women’s health issues like PMS or menopausal symptoms, and support for overall well-being. Treatments often involve Motor Point Acupuncture / Dry Needling (TCM Context), Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture / Acupressure / Ear Seeds, and may include herbal medicine, moxibustion, or dietary advice based on your specific TCM diagnosis.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, **Qi** (pronounced 'chee') is the vital energy or life force that flows through the body via specific pathways called meridians. These pathways connect internal organs with the body's exterior, including muscles and skin. Acupuncture points along these meridians are accessed to influence Qi flow, helping to restore balance and promote health.

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

Services provided by Registered Acupuncturists or Registered TCM Practitioners in private clinics are generally not covered by provincial health insurance plans like RAMQ. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket for these services. It is advisable to check with individual private or extended health insurance plans, as coverage varies widely and many do offer reimbursement for registered practitioners.

Ostéo & Cie
3335, boul. de la Grande Allée
Boisbriand, QC, J7H 1H5

Phone: (450) 621-4428

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

Registration Number: A-007-24

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.