Johanne Couture

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

Digestive Gastrointestinal

• Acid Reflux (GERD), Heartburn & Indigestion (Dyspepsia): Reducing symptoms of GERD and dyspepsia by harmonizing the middle jiao (digestive center) and addressing underlying imbalances without relying on long-term acid suppression.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Bloating, Gas & Functional Digestive Upset: TCM strategies to identify and manage dietary and emotional triggers for digestive distress, improve nutrient absorption, and restore comfortable and regular bowel function.
• Nausea & Vomiting (e.g., Morning Sickness, Post-Chemotherapy): Harmonizing the Stomach Qi and directing its rebellious upward flow downwards to alleviate feelings of queasiness and prevent vomiting.

Pain Musculoskeletal

• Neuropathic Pain & Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g., Diabetic Neuropathy Support, Post-Herpetic Neuralgia): Addressing neuropathic pain by invigorating Qi and Blood flow along affected meridians, nourishing Yin and Blood to repair damaged nerves, and resolving blockages or stagnation.
• 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.
• 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.
• Sports Injuries (e.g., Sprains, Strains, Tendinitis) & Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI): Reducing inflammation and swelling, promoting efficient tissue repair, alleviating pain, and restoring optimal function to injured areas to facilitate a quicker and safer return to athletic activity or work.

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. Johanne can assess your needs.

• 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 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.
• Acupuncture Treatment (Body Acupuncture): Customized acupuncture sessions designed to address your specific symptoms and underlying TCM pattern diagnosis, encouraging the body's powerful self-healing mechanisms and promoting overall well-being.
• TCM Pulse Diagnosis (Sphygmology): Skilled palpation of the radial artery pulse at three positions and three depths on each wrist to assess the quality, strength, rhythm, and rate, reflecting the health and balance of Qi and Blood in the twelve major organ systems.
• 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.
• Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture / Acupressure / Ear Seeds: Ear acupuncture or acupressure (using seeds for prolonged stimulation) to address issues like pain, addiction (e.g., smoking cessation, NADA protocol), stress, anxiety, and internal disorders by targeting corresponding reflex points on the ear.
• Electroacupuncture: A form of acupuncture where a small, gentle, and continuous electrical current is passed between pairs of acupuncture needles to enhance stimulation of acupoints and therapeutic effects, particularly effective for chronic pain, neurological conditions, and muscle spasm.

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

• Many individuals seek the expertise of Johanne, their Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, when asthma or breathing difficulties needing supportive, natural care impacts their daily life. Through personalized TCM treatments, they often achieve reduced cravings and better management of withdrawal symptoms, aiding in addiction recovery (e.g., smoking cessation), empowering them to joyfully return to activities like simply enjoying leisurely daily walks around their neighborhood for fresh air and mental clarity.
• If curious about facial rejuvenation or cosmetic acupuncture for a natural anti-aging approach is affecting your ability to participate in doing household chores like vacuuming, mopping, or laundry without pain, Johanne's TCM approach aims for a noticeable reduction in muscle tension, tightness, and related discomfort or stiffness, helping you to regain your stride.
• For those whose my child having frequent illnesses, digestive issues, or skin problems has made dressing myself independently and without difficulty seem difficult, Johanne's acupuncture and TCM care offers a path toward achieving more regular, comfortable, and predictable bowel movements. These time-tested therapies can be instrumental in helping you get back to dressing myself independently and without difficulty with greater comfort.
• The journey to a profound sense of relaxation, calm, and overall well-being following treatments when faced with wanting to support my body's natural detoxification processes can be supported by Johanne's expertise in acupuncture and TCM, often leading to a more comfortable and active return to pastimes like having more regular and comfortable menstrual cycles, allowing for uninterrupted daily life and activities.

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

Johanne practices at Johanne Couture, Ac., situated in a dedicated acupuncture and TCM clinic in the central Québec neighborhood of Québec. The clinic is conveniently located near local community centers and public parks, making it easy for patients to incorporate their visits into their daily routines. Accessible via multiple local public transit routes, the clinic offers a welcoming environment designed for healing. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Metered and paid parking lots are usually found in the vicinity.

Is TCM and Acupuncture suitable for children or the elderly?

Absolutely. TCM offers gentle and effective options for all ages. Pediatric TCM may involve techniques like Shonishin (a non-invasive needling technique), acupressure, and dietary advice. For seniors, acupuncture and herbal medicine can be excellent for managing age-related conditions, pain, and improving quality of life. Your Registered Acupuncturist will always adapt the treatment to be appropriate and comfortable for the individual's age and health status.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system that has been used for thousands of years to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness. It includes therapies such as acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tui Na (therapeutic massage), cupping, moxibustion, and dietary/lifestyle advice. A Registered Acupuncturist (e.g., Registered TCM Practitioner or Acupuncturist using TCM principles) uses these tools to address the root cause of health issues by identifying and correcting imbalances in the body's Qi (vital energy), Blood, Yin, and Yang. It can help with a wide array of conditions, aiming to restore harmony and promote long-term health.

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 Acupuncturist (R.Ac) or Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) in a private clinic are generally not covered by provincial health plans like RAMQ. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket for these treatments. However, many private or extended health insurance plans may offer partial or full reimbursement, so it's advisable to check with your provider. Coverage levels can vary significantly depending on your insurance policy.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

For most people, acupuncture is not painful. The needles used are very thin, and many individuals feel little to no sensation upon insertion. Some common sensations include a slight initial pinch, followed by a dull ache, warmth, tingling, or a feeling of fullness around the needle site, which usually indicates the treatment is working effectively to stimulate the body's Qi. Practitioners are highly trained in safe needling techniques and use sterile, single-use needles to ensure your safety and prevent infection. If you ever feel any notable pain, inform your Registered Acupuncturist immediately.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture involves inserting very fine, sterile needles into specific points called acupoints to stimulate the flow of Qi (vital energy) along meridians. According to TCM, this helps to restore balance, alleviate pain, reduce stress, improve sleep, and support overall health by promoting the body's natural healing processes.

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

Patients in Québec can generally consult a Registered Acupuncteur (Ac.) or TCM practitioner directly without a physician's referral. However, some private insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check your individual policy to confirm.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

**Qi** is the vital energy or life force that animates the body and sustains health. **Meridians** are channels through which Qi and Blood circulate, connecting organs and tissues. When Qi flow is blocked or imbalanced, illness can occur. Acupuncture aims to restore the smooth and balanced flow of Qi within these meridians, promoting health and vitality.

Johanne Couture, Ac.
5385, 1er Avenue
Québec, QC, G1H 2V5

Phone: (418) 624-6224

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

Registration Number: A-021-95

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.