Christine Ouellet

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

Digestive Gastrointestinal

• Chronic Constipation or Diarrhea (Non-infectious): Restoring balance to the large and small intestines and related organ systems (like Spleen, Liver, Kidney) to promote normal stool consistency, frequency, and ease of passage.
• Acid Reflux (GERD), Heartburn & Indigestion (Dyspepsia): Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments, including acupuncture and specific herbal formulas, to address symptoms of heartburn, acid regurgitation, belching, and indigestion by strengthening Spleen Qi, ensuring the proper downward flow of rebellious Stomach Qi, and clearing any Stomach Heat or Food Stagnation.
• Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis (IBD) - Supportive TCM Care: Acupuncture and herbal medicine as a complementary therapy to help manage symptoms, reduce inflammation, and improve quality of life for individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. (Used alongside conventional medical management).

Pain Musculoskeletal

• 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.
• Headaches & Migraines (Tension, Cluster, Hormonal - TCM Management): Identifying specific TCM patterns contributing to head pain (e.g., temporal, occipital, vertex headaches) and providing personalized treatments, including acupuncture and herbal formulas, for lasting relief and prevention.
• 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.
• Fibromyalgia & Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Addressing underlying energetic imbalances like Liver Qi Stagnation, Spleen Qi Deficiency, and Blood Stasis, and improving overall vitality in individuals with these chronic pain conditions.

Respiratory Allergy Immune

• 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): Natural support for strengthening your immunity, reducing susceptibility to common infections, and helping you recover more quickly and completely when you do get sick.

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.

• Moxibustion (Moxa Therapy): Gentle and penetrating heat therapy with mugwort to strengthen the body's vital energy, improve circulation, turn breech babies (when applied to a specific point), and relieve chronic pain or fatigue.
• 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.
• 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.
• Cupping Therapy (Fire Cupping, Sliding Cupping, Stationary Cupping): Application of glass, bamboo, or silicone cups to the skin to create suction (often via heat/fire for glass cups, or a pump for others). This technique helps to relieve muscle tension, improve blood and Qi flow, reduce local inflammation, release toxins, open pores, and treat respiratory conditions or musculoskeletal pain.
• TCM Tongue Diagnosis: A key TCM diagnostic method where the tongue is meticulously examined as a microsystem map reflecting your body's internal health and specific imbalances.
• TCM Observation & Palpation Diagnosis: Utilizing traditional TCM observational skills (Wang) and palpation (Qie - beyond just pulse) to gather diagnostic clues about your underlying pattern of imbalance.
• TCM Pulse Diagnosis (Sphygmology): A subtle and sophisticated TCM diagnostic technique requiring extensive training, used to understand the energetic state of your Zang-Fu organs and overall constitution.

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 Clinique d'acupuncture Montcalm, 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:

• Understanding that skin problems like eczema, persistent acne, psoriasis, or unexplained hives can be frustrating, Christine applies TCM wisdom to help patients achieve improved mental focus, concentration, and cognitive clarity as overall health and energy improve, making it possible to rediscover the joy in enjoying meals without digestive discomfort, bloating, or subsequent fatigue.
• Struggling with stiff and sore neck or shoulders from stress or computer work? Christine develops individualized TCM treatment plans aimed at achieving feeling empowered with practical self-care techniques, such as acupressure, moxibustion for home use, or specific TCM dietary advice, key to helping you get back to doing simply enjoying leisurely daily walks around their neighborhood for fresh air and mental clarity with improved well-being and energy.
• The path to overcoming fertility challenges, trying to conceive, or wanting to prepare my body for pregnancy and achieving visible improvement in chronic skin conditions like eczema, acne, or psoriasis, with healthier-looking skin is often clearer with TCM. Christine guides patients toward reclaiming activities such as standing for longer periods, for example, while cooking or at an event, without discomfort with improved health.
• It's rewarding for Christine to witness patients find relief from irregular, painful, or heavy periods, or really difficult PMS symptoms and experience a substantial increase in overall energy levels, vitality, and stamina throughout the day through TCM. A tailored approach can make a significant difference in your ability to participate in sitting comfortably through a movie at the cinema or a play again.

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 Clinique d'acupuncture Montcalm, situated in a central Québec neighborhood that specializes in acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The clinic is conveniently located near local community centers and public parks, making it accessible for patients seeking holistic health support. Easily reachable via local public transit routes, the clinic offers a serene environment for healing. Our facility is accessible, and parking options are typically available for those arriving by car, ensuring a comfortable visit for every patient.

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 a physician's referral, in accordance with private health regulations—this is known as direct access. However, it is important to note that some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. Patients are advised to check their individual insurance policies to understand coverage requirements.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic health system rooted in ancient principles that aims to restore balance and harmony within the body. A Registered Acupuncteur assesses your overall health by examining patterns of imbalance through techniques such as tongue and pulse diagnosis. Treatments may include acupuncture, herbal formulas (if an R.TCMP), cupping, moxibustion, and lifestyle or dietary advice, all designed to foster healing and improve well-being.

Is there anything I should do to prepare for or after an acupuncture session?

It is recommended to eat lightly about 1-2 hours before your appointment, avoiding coming on an empty stomach or immediately after a heavy meal. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows access to areas to be treated. Avoid caffeine and alcohol before your session. Afterward, it’s best to rest and hydrate well, and to observe any changes in your symptoms or energy levels, reporting them at your next visit.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

In TCM, Qi is considered the vital energy or life force that flows through the body’s pathways called meridians. These meridians connect the internal organs and tissues, facilitating the circulation of Qi and Blood. Acupuncture points along these meridians can be stimulated to restore proper flow, helping to balance the body's energies 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 TCM Practitioners in private clinics are generally not covered by RAMQ in Quebec. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket for treatments, but many private insurance plans offer some coverage. It is advisable to check with your insurer for specific reimbursement policies, as coverage levels vary.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Most individuals find acupuncture to be a comfortable experience, with very fine needles that often cause little to no sensation. Some may feel a slight pinch or tingling, which indicates effective stimulation. Practitioners use sterile, single-use needles to ensure safety. If any discomfort or pain occurs, patients should inform their acupuncteur immediately to adjust the treatment.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture involves inserting fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the flow of Qi along meridians. This process can help reduce pain, alleviate stress, improve sleep, regulate bodily functions, strengthen immunity, and promote overall health by activating the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Clinique d'acupuncture Montcalm
975, Joffre, app. 1
Québec, QC, G1S 3M1

Phone: (418) 687-4464

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

Registration Number: A-075-94

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.