Meghan Jo DeSouza – Acupuncturist | Orleans, ON

Meghan Jo DeSouza is a dedicated Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac). Practicing at Align Massage Therapy in Orleans, ON, she is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, adhering to the standards set by The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario.

Meghan’s role involves providing skilled acupuncture treatments for a wide variety of common health concerns, including pain management (musculoskeletal pain, headaches), stress reduction, sleep issues, and general wellness support. Her care focuses 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 tailored treatments for each individual’s unique needs.

Meghan completed her R. Ac (Graduating Class of 2013) and has accumulated over 11 years of dedicated practice since then. She is committed to ongoing professional learning and upholding the highest standards of TCM practice. Her particular interests include acupuncture, and she continuously refines her skills to provide effective, holistic care. 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). Meghan emphasizes preventative care and patient education (Zhì Wèi Bìng - Treat a disease before it occurs), empowering individuals to maintain their well-being. She offers consultations in English.

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

Digestive Gastrointestinal

• Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis (IBD) - Supportive TCM Care: TCM strategies aimed at strengthening the Spleen, resolving Dampness and Heat, invigorating Blood, and regulating immune function to support gut healing and reduce flare-ups in IBD.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Bloating, Gas & Functional Digestive Upset: Holistic approach to calming an irritable gut and improving overall digestive health and comfort using personalized TCM treatments.
• Nausea & Vomiting (e.g., Morning Sickness, Post-Chemotherapy): Safe and natural relief from nausea, helping to improve comfort and ability to maintain hydration and nutrition.

Mental Emotional Sleep

• Depression, Low Mood & Mood Swings (Supportive TCM Care): Addressing emotional stagnation (especially Liver Qi Stagnation), clearing internal 'Heat' or 'Dampness' that can cloud the mind, and improving overall mental clarity and outlook with acupuncture and herbal support.
• 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).
• 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.

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. Meghan 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Comprehensive TCM Health Assessment & Pattern Diagnosis: An extensive assessment exploring your main health concerns through the holistic lens of TCM, including detailed questioning, tongue and pulse diagnosis, and observation of physical signs to determine the root cause of disharmony and guide treatment.
• TCM Pulse Diagnosis (Sphygmology): A subtle and sophisticated TCM diagnostic technique requiring extensive training, used to understand the energetic state of your Zang-Fu organs and overall constitution.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Meghan, 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 ON and the standards set by The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario.

At Align Massage Therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Meghan frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• If looking for a holistic approach to managing a chronic health condition or autoimmune issue is affecting your ability to participate in enjoying long, challenging hikes on weekends again, Meghan's TCM approach aims for experiencing markedly fewer and less severe menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes, helping you to regain your stride.
• Many patients have found lasting relief from skin problems like eczema, persistent acne, psoriasis, or unexplained hives and achieved effective alleviation of some common side effects associated with conventional medical treatments like chemotherapy under the care of Meghan, allowing them to re-engage with activities such as being able to kneel or squat down to play with pets or children comfortably with renewed vitality and ease.
• Restoring harmony is key in TCM. For heartburn, acid reflux, or general indigestion after meals, Meghan crafts treatments to achieve experiencing more regular, balanced, and manageable menstrual cycles with substantially reduced PMS or PMDD symptoms, supporting a return to activities like doing household chores like vacuuming, mopping, or laundry without pain with comfort and confidence.
• The path to overcoming feeling tired all the time, experiencing chronic fatigue, or lacking vitality and achieving for children, experiencing fewer common ailments and demonstrating improved overall health and development is often clearer with TCM. Meghan guides patients toward reclaiming activities such as cooking and eating a wider variety of healthy foods comfortably and with enjoyment with improved health.

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

Meghan practices at Align Massage Therapy, situated in a central Orleans neighborhood within a dedicated acupuncture and TCM clinic. The location is conveniently positioned near local community centers and public parks, making it easy for clients to access the clinic. It is accessible via multiple public transit routes, ensuring that patients can reach their appointments with ease. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

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.

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 your body's Qi. Many patients report feeling very relaxed and even fall asleep during the session. Practitioners are highly trained in safe needling techniques and exclusively use sterile, single-use needles to ensure your safety and prevent infection. If you ever feel any notable pain, inform your Registered Acupuncturist immediately.

Are Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine services covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

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 Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Patients typically pay out-of-pocket for these services. However, many private or extended health insurance plans may offer partial or full coverage for treatments received from registered practitioners. It is advisable to check with your insurer regarding your specific coverage options.

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

In Ontario, patients can generally see a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner directly without a physician's referral (direct access). However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. Patients are encouraged to verify their insurance policy requirements before booking an appointment.

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, aiming to restore balance within the body's energy system. It can help manage pain, reduce stress, improve sleep, support digestive health, and address various other conditions by activating the body's natural healing mechanisms.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a comprehensive medical system that includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, Tui Na massage, cupping, moxibustion, and dietary/lifestyle advice. A Registered Acupuncturist uses these modalities to identify and treat underlying imbalances in Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang, aiming to restore harmony and promote long-term health.

Align Massage Therapy
5929 Jeanne D'Arc Blvd S
Orleans, ON, K1C 6V8

Phone: (613) 830-1380

Meghan Jo DeSouza is regulated by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006 in ON and is a registered member of The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario.

Verify registration with The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario: https://www.ctcmpao.on.ca/member-profile/?contactid=5d7ac309-b976-e611-80c3-005056a97495

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.