Marie-Julie Dessaivre – Acupuncturist | Montréal, QC

Marie-Julie Dessaivre is a dedicated Acupuncteur (Ac.). Practicing at Polyclinique de l’Est in Montréal, QC, she is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, adhering to the standards set by The Ordre des acupuncteurs du Québec. With a focus on holistic healing, she carefully assesses each patient's unique health profile to tailor treatment plans that promote balance and well-being. Marie-Julie believes in empowering her patients through education and compassionate care, supporting them on their journey toward optimal health.

Marie-Julie plays a vital role in helping her patients recover from various health issues by utilizing TCM principles. She provides skilled acupuncture treatments for a wide variety of common health concerns, including pain management (musculoskeletal pain, headaches), stress reduction, sleep issues, and overall wellness support. Her care is focused on using acupuncture to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and restore energetic balance according to TCM principles. She serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, ensuring each individual receives personalized and effective care.

Marie-Julie Dessaivre completed her training in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. With clinical training and extensive experience, she is committed to ongoing professional learning and upholding the highest standards of TCM practice. She has a particular interest and further training in acupuncture techniques, herbal medicine, and integrative therapies. Her practice philosophy emphasizes utilizing time-tested therapies like acupuncture and herbal medicine to support the body's innate healing capacity and restore natural balance (Yin-Yang Harmony). She offers consultations in French, ensuring clear communication and comfort for her Francophone patients.

Marie-Julie Dessaivre provides skilled Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Pain Musculoskeletal

• 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).
• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ/TMD) Dysfunction & Jaw Pain: Acupuncture and local soft tissue techniques to alleviate jaw pain, clicking, locking, and muscle tension associated with TMJ disorders by relaxing masticatory muscles, reducing inflammation, and improving local Qi and Blood flow.
• Chronic & Acute Pain (e.g., Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Sciatica): Addressing pain by unblocking Qi (vital energy) and Blood stagnation in the meridians, promoting circulation to nourish tissues, and relaxing tense muscles and tendons.

Respiratory Allergy & Immune

• Common Cold, Flu & Viral Infections (Prevention & Accelerated Recovery): Using specific acupuncture points and potent herbal formulas tailored to the stage and nature of the cold or flu (e.g., clearing Wind-Cold versus Wind-Heat invasions) to shorten duration and lessen severity.
• Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis & Cough (Supportive TCM Care): Acupuncture and herbal medicine as a supportive and complementary approach to manage asthma and chronic bronchitis symptoms by strengthening Lung Qi and Wei Qi, resolving phlegm and dampness, descending rebellious Lung Qi to calm wheezing and cough, and tonifying Kidney Qi to grasp the Lung Qi.
• 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.

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. Marie-Julie can assess your needs.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• TCM Tongue Diagnosis: In-depth analysis of various tongue characteristics to help formulate an accurate TCM pattern diagnosis and a highly individualized treatment plan.
• Gua Sha (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization - TCM): A therapeutic technique involving the gentle but firm scraping of lubricated skin with a smooth-edged tool (e.g., jade, horn, ceramic spoon) to stimulate microcirculation of the soft tissue, which releases muscle tension, breaks down adhesions and scar tissue, reduces pain and inflammation, and promotes healing and detoxification by releasing 'Sha' (stagnant blood and metabolic waste).

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

• Many patients have found lasting relief from my child having frequent illnesses, digestive issues, or skin problems and achieved visible improvement in chronic skin conditions like eczema, acne, or psoriasis, with healthier-looking skin under the care of Marie-Julie, allowing them to re-engage with activities such as managing their personal care routines independently with renewed vitality and ease.
• Experiencing that nagging back pain that just won't go away can be draining. Marie-Julie utilizes acupuncture and other TCM methods to aim for a holistic sense of feeling more 'in balance' and harmonized physically, mentally, and energetically, so patients can re-engage with playing actively and roughhousing with their young kids or grandkids with joy and energy feeling revitalized.
• For those whose managing side effects from chemotherapy or radiation treatments more comfortably has made playing a few sets of tennis without shoulder or elbow pain seem difficult, Marie-Julie's acupuncture and TCM care offers a path toward a significant reduction in allergy symptoms (sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes) and less reliance on allergy medications. These time-tested therapies can be instrumental in helping you get back to playing a few sets of tennis without shoulder or elbow pain with greater comfort.
• If trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up feeling tired and unrefreshed is affecting your ability to participate in managing the physical demands of their job without constant pain, Marie-Julie's TCM approach aims for noticeable improvement in digestive comfort, with significantly less bloating, gas, or abdominal pain, helping you to regain your stride.

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

Marie-Julie practices at Polyclinique de l’Est, situated in the heart of Montréal in a dedicated acupuncture and TCM clinic within a central Montréal neighborhood. 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 public transit routes, the clinic offers a welcoming and serene environment for healing. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Convenient parking options are typically accessible.

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 Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). Patients typically pay out-of-pocket for these services. It is strongly recommended to check your private or extended health insurance plans, as many offer coverage for services provided by registered practitioners. Coverage levels vary significantly depending on your plan.

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. Common sensations include a slight pinch, dull ache, warmth, tingling, or fullness around the needle site, which usually indicates effective stimulation of your body's Qi. Many patients feel very relaxed and may even fall asleep during treatments. Practitioners are highly trained in safe needling techniques and exclusively use sterile, single-use needles to ensure your safety. If you ever experience notable pain, please inform your acupuncteur immediately.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a comprehensive medical system that has been used for thousands of years to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness. It includes acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tui Na massage, cupping, moxibustion, and dietary/lifestyle advice. A Registered Acupuncteur (e.g., R.Ac. or R.TCMP) uses these tools to identify and correct imbalances in the body's Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang, helping to restore harmony and promote long-term health. TCM can address a wide range of conditions and support overall wellness.

Approximately how many Acupuncture/TCM sessions will I need and how often?

This varies depending on the condition. Some acute issues may resolve after just a few sessions, while chronic conditions often require a series of treatments, typically once or twice weekly initially, then spaced out as progress is made. Your acupuncteur will assess your response and adjust the treatment plan accordingly, aiming for stable improvement and maintenance.

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

In Quebec, patients can usually see a Registered Acupuncteur or TCM Practitioner directly without a referral from a doctor (direct access). However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a doctor's note for reimbursement. It is advisable to check your individual insurance policy to confirm their requirements.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture involves inserting very fine, sterile needles into specific points called acupoints to stimulate Qi flow along meridians. This can help reduce pain, alleviate stress, improve sleep, regulate bodily functions, and support the body's natural healing processes, promoting overall health and well-being.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

Qi is the vital energy or life force that flows through the body's meridians, which are channels that connect organs and tissues. Proper flow of Qi maintains health, while blockages or deficiencies can lead to illness. Acupuncture aims to restore the free flow of Qi within these meridians, promoting balance and health.

Polyclinique de l’Est
8569 Rue Hochelaga
Montréal, QC, H1L 2M2

Phone: (514) 528-5095

Marie-Julie Dessaivre is regulated by the Professional Code (Quebec) in QC and is a registered member of The Ordre des acupuncteurs du Québec.

Registration Number: A-019-20

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.