Gabriel St-Jean-Lavoie

Gabriel St-Jean-Lavoie provides skilled Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Other Common

• Bell's Palsy & Facial Paralysis Recovery: Early and consistent TCM intervention to maximize functional recovery and minimize residual facial weakness or asymmetry.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) & Adrenal Fatigue Support (TCM): Natural and comprehensive solutions for combating persistent, debilitating tiredness, improving energy production, and enhancing overall resilience and quality of life.

Pain Musculoskeletal

• 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.
• 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.
• Sports Injuries (e.g., Sprains, Strains, Tendinitis) & Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI): Acupuncture, cupping, Tui Na massage, and topical herbal applications to accelerate recovery from acute sports injuries like ligament sprains, muscle strains, and contusions, as well as chronic overuse conditions like tendinitis (e.g., tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, Achilles tendinitis).
• Arthritis & Joint Pain (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis - Supportive Care): Holistic support to improve quality of life for those suffering from chronic joint pain, swelling, and stiffness due to osteoarthritic degeneration or autoimmune joint conditions (as an adjunct to conventional care).

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. Gabriel can assess your needs.

• 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.
• 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: A non-invasive TCM technique that uses manual pressure on acupoints to address various health concerns, often taught for self-care or used as part of a broader TCM treatment.
• 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.
• 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.
• Cupping Therapy (Fire Cupping, Sliding Cupping, Stationary Cupping): Utilizing cupping techniques to alleviate musculoskeletal pain (back, shoulder, neck), clear stagnation, support detoxification, and relieve symptoms of common colds or asthma.
• Scalp Acupuncture (Neuroacupuncture): A contemporary acupuncture technique involving the insertion of needles into specific therapeutic zones on the scalp that correspond to different body functions and brain areas (e.g., motor, sensory, balance zones), primarily used for neurological disorders, stroke rehabilitation, chronic pain, and psycho-emotional conditions.

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

• By addressing the root energetic imbalances related to digestive issues like bloating, gas, cramps, constipation, or diarrhea (IBS-like symptoms), Gabriel helps patients work towards effective alleviation of some common side effects associated with conventional medical treatments like chemotherapy, facilitating a return to cherished activities like feeling more energetic, focused, and productive throughout the workday without energy slumps.
• Struggling with asthma or breathing difficulties needing supportive, natural care? Gabriel develops individualized TCM treatment plans aimed at achieving significant and lasting reduction in acute or chronic pain levels, key to helping you get back to doing playing a few sets of tennis without shoulder or elbow pain with improved well-being and energy.
• Many find that TCM with Gabriel not only helps with seasonal allergies (hay fever) making me sneeze, congested, and miserable but also brings about achieving more regular, comfortable, and predictable bowel movements, allowing for a more fulfilling engagement in traveling more comfortably without being plagued by motion sickness, digestive upset, or travel-related anxiety.
• Understanding that fertility challenges, trying to conceive, or wanting to prepare my body for pregnancy can be frustrating, Gabriel applies TCM wisdom to help patients achieve a noticeable reduction in muscle tension, tightness, and related discomfort or stiffness, making it possible to rediscover the joy in feeling more physically resilient and less prone to minor ailments or weather changes.

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

Gabriel practices at PhysioExtra, situated in the Bellefeuille Sector neighborhood of Saint-Jérôme. The clinic is conveniently located near Théâtre Gilles-Vigneault and is easily accessible via exo (Secteur Laurentides - Bus). Our clinic offers a serene environment for healing, with street parking often available nearby.

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 Acupuncteur (R.Ac) or Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) in a private clinic are generally NOT covered by provincial health plans like RAMQ in QC. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket for these services. However, many private and extended health insurance plans offer varying levels of coverage for treatments provided by registered practitioners. It is advisable to check with your individual insurance provider to understand your specific coverage details.

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, focusing on restoring balance and harmony within the body. A Registered Acupuncturist assesses your overall health, often using tongue and pulse diagnosis, to identify patterns of imbalance. Treatment may include acupuncture, herbal formulas (if a Registered TCM Practitioner), cupping, moxibustion, and lifestyle or dietary recommendations aimed at supporting your body’s natural healing processes.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture involves inserting very thin, sterile needles into specific points on your body to stimulate energy flow and promote healing. Performed by a qualified Registered Acupuncturist, it can help manage pain, reduce stress, improve sleep, and address various health conditions by activating your body's self-healing mechanisms.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Most people find acupuncture to be a comfortable experience, with many feeling little to no discomfort. The needles used are very thin and sterile, and practitioners are trained in safe needling techniques. Some sensations like a slight pinch or tingling may occur but are generally well-tolerated. If any pain or discomfort is experienced, inform your practitioner immediately.

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 along specific pathways called meridians. These pathways connect organs and tissues, facilitating the circulation of Qi and Blood. Acupuncture points are located along these meridians and are used to influence the flow of Qi, restoring balance and health.

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

In Quebec, patients can typically see a Registered Acupuncteur or Registered TCM Practitioner directly without a physician's referral (known as direct access). However, some private or extended health plans may require a referral for insurance reimbursement. It is recommended to check your individual insurance policy to confirm whether a referral is necessary for coverage.

PhysioExtra
305 rue du docteur Charles-Léonard, 201
Saint-Jérôme, QC, J7Y 0M9

Gabriel St-Jean-Lavoie is regulated by the Professional Code (Quebec) in QC and is a registered member of The Ordre des acupuncteurs du Québec.

Registration Number: A-024-22

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.