Julie Nicole Carr is a dedicated Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) (Acupuncture Services). Practicing at Launch Rehab in New Westminster, BC, Joyal is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, adhering to the standards set by The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.
Joyal's role focuses on delivering skilled acupuncture treatments for a wide variety of common health concerns, including pain management such as musculoskeletal pain and headaches, stress reduction, sleep issues, and overall wellness support. Her approach emphasizes stimulating the body's natural healing abilities and restoring energetic balance in accordance with TCM principles. She serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, ensuring personalized care for each individual.
Julie Nicole Carr completed her RAC and, with extensive clinical training and experience, is dedicated to ongoing professional development, maintaining the highest standards of TCM practice. Her interests include TCM dietary therapy, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine, integrating these modalities to optimize patient outcomes. Her practice philosophy centers on individualized treatment based on precise pattern differentiation, viewing the body holistically—interconnecting physical, mental, and emotional health—and emphasizing preventative care and patient education. Joyal offers consultations in English to facilitate clear communication and compassionate care.
Julie Nicole Carr provides skilled Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:
Respiratory Allergy Immune
- 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.
- Weak Immune System & Recurrent Infections: Building resilience against pathogens by fortifying the Zang-Fu organs responsible for immune function, particularly the Lungs, Spleen, and Kidneys according to TCM theory.
- Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis & Cough (Supportive TCM Care): Addressing underlying Lung, Spleen, and Kidney deficiencies that often contribute to chronic respiratory conditions and recurrent coughs, aiming to reduce frequency and severity of attacks.
Mental Emotional Sleep
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support (TCM): Acupuncture and TCM therapies to help regulate the nervous system, calm an overactive stress response, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and process emotional trauma in individuals experiencing PTSD symptoms. (As an adjunctive therapy).
- Stress, Anxiety, Panic Attacks & Emotional Imbalances: Acupuncture, acupressure, and TCM herbal therapies to calm the Shen (spirit/mind), regulate the flow of Qi (especially Liver Qi), nourish Heart Blood and Yin, and reduce the physiological and psychological effects of acute and chronic stress, anxiety, and panic attacks.
- Addiction Support (e.g., Smoking Cessation, Substance Cravings - NADA Protocol): Supporting detoxification pathways, promoting emotional balance, and strengthening willpower as part of a comprehensive addiction treatment and relapse prevention plan.
- Insomnia & Various Sleep Disorders (e.g., Difficulty Falling/Staying Asleep, Dream-Disturbed Sleep): Identifying specific TCM patterns contributing to poor sleep (e.g., difficulty falling asleep versus waking frequently) and providing personalized treatments to re-establish healthy sleep-wake cycles.
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.
- 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).
- Fibromyalgia & Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Holistic TCM approaches, including acupuncture, gentle cupping, moxibustion, and carefully selected herbal support, to manage the complex symptoms of fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome, such as widespread pain, tender points, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and 'fibro fog'.
- Arthritis & Joint Pain (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis - Supportive Care): Managing arthritic symptoms by addressing underlying TCM patterns such as Bi Syndrome (Painful Obstruction due to Wind, Cold, Damp, or Heat), and nourishing Kidney essence to support bone and joint health.
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. Joyal can assess your needs.
- Gua Sha (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization - TCM): Instrument-assisted unidirectional press-stroking of the skin to break up stagnation, improve local circulation, alleviate pain, stiffness, and fever, and promote lymphatic drainage.
- Cupping Therapy (Fire Cupping, Sliding Cupping, Stationary Cupping): A traditional deep-tissue therapy using suction cups (stationary or moved along lubricated skin) to promote circulation, ease pain, break up fascial adhesions, and draw out pathogenic factors like Wind, Cold, and Dampness from the body.
- Herbal Medicine Preparation & Counseling: Providing guidance on the preparation and proper usage of prescribed herbal formulas, including decoction instructions for raw herbs, dosage for granules or pills, and advice on potential dietary interactions or lifestyle adjustments to enhance herbal efficacy.
- Classical & Patent Chinese Herbal Formulas: Using established and time-tested patent herbal remedies (Cheng Yao) that have been trusted for generations to address specific symptoms or support overall health and organ system balance.
- Customized Chinese Herbal Medicine Prescription (R.TCMP Scope): Comprehensive assessment and prescription of individually tailored Chinese herbal formulas (raw herbs for decoction, granular extracts, powders, or pills) based on your specific TCM pattern diagnosis and constitution to address underlying imbalances and treat a wide range of acute and chronic health conditions. (Primarily within R.TCMP scope).
- 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.
- Tui Na (Chinese Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork): Dynamic, hands-on bodywork based on TCM principles of meridians and acupoints to correct structural misalignments, improve circulation, alleviate chronic pain, and restore energetic harmony and balance.
Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Joyal, 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 Launch Rehab, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Joyal frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:
- Through the gentle yet powerful methods of TCM, Joyal assists patients with pain, numbness, or tingling running down my leg (like sciatica) in reaching reduced inflammation throughout the body, as indicated by symptoms or markers, fostering a return to beloved activities like participating in hobbies and social events without pain, anxiety, or fatigue holding them back.
- Through personalized acupuncture and TCM with Joyal, common concerns like digestive issues like bloating, gas, cramps, constipation, or diarrhea (IBS-like symptoms) are assessed from a holistic perspective to achieve experiencing markedly fewer and less severe menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes, helping people to once again enjoy cycling longer distances with their cycling club without discomfort.
- Patients struggling with that nagging back pain that just won't go away can find dedicated support from Joyal. The therapeutic focus is on achieving more regular, comfortable, and predictable bowel movements, using a range of TCM modalities to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as being able to concentrate better on tasks requiring mental focus for longer periods.
- If dizziness, lightheadedness, or vertigo that affects my balance and daily activities is preventing you from fully enjoying seasonal changes with fewer allergy flare-ups and more outdoor time, Joyal offers skilled acupuncture and TCM care. Treatment focuses on gaining a deeper understanding of their body's unique energetic patterns and needs according to TCM principles, often utilizing acupuncture, herbal remedies (if R.TCMP), and lifestyle advice to help you regain balance and function.
Your personalized TCM treatment plan, developed with Joyal, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives using a holistic and time-tested approach.
Joyal's practice at Launch Rehab is situated in the vibrant Downtown New Westminster, in the Quayside neighborhood. The clinic's convenient location near Westminster Pier Park makes it easily accessible for local residents and visitors. It is well-connected via TransLink, including the SkyTrain Expo Line and local bus routes, making travel straightforward for patients from surrounding areas. Our clinic offers a serene environment designed to promote healing and relaxation, with convenient parking options typically available for visitors.
- What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?
- **Qi** is a core 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 like a network of rivers or channels that carry Qi and Blood throughout the body, connecting different organs and tissues. Illness or pain can arise if the flow of Qi in these meridians becomes blocked, deficient, or excessive. Acupuncture and other TCM therapies aim to restore the proper flow of Qi within these meridians.
- Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Registered TCM Practitioner in BC?
- Patients in BC can typically see a Registered TCM Practitioner (such as a Registered Acupuncturist or R.TCMP) directly without a referral from a physician, as direct access is permitted. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check with your insurance provider to confirm their specific requirements.
- Are Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine services covered by Medical Services Plan (MSP) in BC?
- Generally, services provided by a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner in a private clinic are not covered by MSP in BC. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket for these therapies. Many private and extended health insurance plans may offer some coverage, so it is recommended to verify with your provider, as coverage levels vary.
- What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?
- Acupuncture involves inserting very thin needles at specific points on the body to stimulate the flow of Qi and Blood. Performed by a qualified practitioner, it aims to restore balance within the body’s energy systems. It can help manage pain, reduce stress, improve sleep, and support overall wellness, often providing relief for conditions like headaches, back pain, and digestive issues.
- What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how can a Registered TCM Practitioner help?
- TCM is a comprehensive medical system that includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, Tui Na massage, cupping, and dietary/lifestyle advice. A Registered TCM Practitioner uses these modalities to identify and treat the root causes of health issues by restoring harmony in the body’s Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang, promoting long-term health and balance.
- Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?
- Most people find acupuncture to be a comfortable experience. The needles used are very thin, and insertion typically causes only a slight pinch or tingling sensation. Practitioners are highly trained to ensure safety, using sterile, single-use needles. Many patients relax deeply or even fall asleep during treatment. If any discomfort occurs, it should be communicated immediately to your practitioner.
Launch Rehab
219-800 Carnarvon St
New Westminster, BC, V3M 0G3
Phone: (604) 519-0777
Julie Nicole Carr 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.