Heidi Francoise Mather

GERICKE practices at Horseshoe Bay Health & Performance, situated in the Horseshoe Bay, Gleneagles neighborhood of West Vancouver. The clinic is conveniently located near the Sea-to-Sky Highway Start and is accessible via TransLink (BlueBus operated by West Vancouver). Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

• TCM Dietary Therapy & Nutritional Counseling (Shi Liao): Using food as medicine according to traditional Chinese dietary wisdom to strengthen organ function (especially Spleen and Stomach), improve digestion, build Qi and Blood, clear pathogenic factors, and promote overall harmony and longevity.
• 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.
• 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 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.
• Qigong & Tai Chi Exercise Recommendations: Incorporating principles of mindful movement and breath to enhance the therapeutic effects of TCM treatments and empower self-healing.
• TCM Lifestyle & Wellness Coaching (Yang Sheng): Holistic guidance on lifestyle adjustments based on TCM principles of Yang Sheng (Nourishing Life), including recommendations for appropriate exercise (e.g., Tai Chi, Qigong), sleep hygiene, stress management techniques (e.g., meditation, breathwork), emotional cultivation, and attunement to natural and seasonal rhythms to promote optimal health, prevent illness, and enhance longevity.
• 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 GERICKE, or to discuss your specific needs, please contact the clinic.

All services are provided in accordance with the scope of practice for Registered TCM Practitioners in BC and the standards set by The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.

At Horseshoe Bay Health & Performance, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. GERICKE frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• The path to overcoming brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or poor memory and achieving a substantial increase in overall energy levels, vitality, and stamina throughout the day is often clearer with TCM. GERICKE guides patients toward reclaiming activities such as having the consistent energy and motivation to pursue creative outlets, learning, or personal passions with improved health.
• Many find that TCM with GERICKE not only helps with digestive issues like bloating, gas, cramps, constipation, or diarrhea (IBS-like symptoms) but also brings about accelerated recovery from sports injuries or repetitive strains, and a quicker, safer return to activity, allowing for a more fulfilling engagement in gentle exercises like Tai Chi, Qigong, or yoga with improved balance, flexibility, and energy flow.
• Through personalized acupuncture and TCM with GERICKE, common concerns like my child having frequent illnesses, digestive issues, or skin problems are assessed from a holistic perspective to achieve experiencing more regular, balanced, and manageable menstrual cycles with substantially reduced PMS or PMDD symptoms, helping people to once again enjoy sleeping soundly through the night and waking refreshed and energetic.
• Understanding that ringing in the ears (tinnitus) that's bothersome can be frustrating, GERICKE applies TCM wisdom to help patients achieve feeling significantly calmer, less anxious, and more emotionally balanced and resilient, making it possible to rediscover the joy in traveling more comfortably without being plagued by motion sickness, digestive upset, or travel-related anxiety.

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

GERICKE practices at Horseshoe Bay Health & Performance, situated in the Horseshoe Bay, Gleneagles neighborhood of West Vancouver. The clinic is conveniently located near the Sea-to-Sky Highway Start and is accessible via TransLink (BlueBus operated by West Vancouver). Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

Are Chinese Herbal Medicines safe? (If prescribed by an R.TCMP or Dr.TCM)

When prescribed by a qualified and Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) or Doctor of TCM (Dr.TCM), who has extensive training in herbal pharmacology, Chinese herbal formulas are generally safe and effective. R.TCMPs are trained to identify herb quality, potential herb-drug interactions, and contraindications for specific health conditions or during pregnancy. It is important to inform the R.TCMP about all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and existing health conditions. Patients should avoid self-prescribing Chinese herbs or purchasing them from unreliable sources due to risks of incorrect diagnosis, improper formulation, contamination, or adverse interactions. R.TCMPs often source herbs from trusted suppliers that perform quality testing to ensure safety and efficacy.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves inserting very fine, sterile needles into specific points called acupoints. This technique helps to stimulate and balance the flow of Qi (vital energy) along meridians. Acupuncture can alleviate pain, reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, regulate bodily functions like digestion and hormones, boost the immune system, and promote overall well-being by supporting the body’s natural healing processes.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

**Qi** is a fundamental concept in TCM representing the vital energy or life force that animates the body and drives its functions. When Qi flows smoothly and abundantly, health is maintained. **Meridians** are network channels that carry Qi and Blood throughout the body, connecting organs and tissues. Illness or pain can result when Qi flow becomes blocked, deficient, or excessive. Acupuncture and other TCM therapies aim to restore the proper flow of Qi within these meridians.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic health approach based on ancient principles. A Registered TCM Practitioner assesses your overall health, identifying patterns of imbalance through tongue and pulse diagnosis. Treatments may include acupuncture, herbal formulas (if an R.TCMP), cupping, moxibustion, and lifestyle or dietary recommendations to restore balance and promote healing.

Are Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine services covered by MSP in BC?

Generally, services provided by a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) or Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) in private clinics are not covered by Medical Services Plan (MSP) in BC. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket. However, many private or extended health insurance plans offer some coverage for these services, so it is advisable to check your individual policy as coverage varies.

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Registered TCM Practitioner in BC?

In BC, patients can typically consult a Registered TCM Practitioner directly without a referral from a physician (direct access). Nonetheless, some private or extended health plans may require a referral to process reimbursements. Patients should verify their insurance requirements beforehand.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Acupuncture needles are extremely fine, sterile, and single-use, often thinner than a human hair, making their insertion usually painless or like a tiny prick. Once inserted, patients may feel sensations such as dull ache, warmth, tingling, or heaviness, which indicate Qi movement. Most find the experience relaxing and calming. Registered practitioners only use sterile, disposable needles to ensure safety. If any discomfort occurs, patients should communicate with their practitioner immediately.

Horseshoe Bay Health & Performance
6359 Bruce St
West Vancouver, BC, V7W 2G5

Phone: (604) 926-2088

Heidi Francoise Mather is regulated by the Health Professions Act (British Columbia) in BC and is a registered member of The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.

Registration can typically be verified with The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.

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.