Natalie Martin

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

Digestive Gastrointestinal

• Chronic Constipation or Diarrhea (Non-infectious): Acupuncture and tailored herbal formulas to regulate bowel movements by addressing the specific TCM pattern causing chronic constipation (e.g., Qi stagnation, Blood deficiency, Yin deficiency with dryness, Heat accumulation) or persistent diarrhea (e.g., Spleen Qi deficiency, Kidney Yang deficiency, Damp-Heat in the intestines).
• 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.

Other Common

• Supportive Care During & After Cancer Treatments (Chemotherapy/Radiation Side Effects): Acupuncture, moxibustion, and gentle herbal therapies to help manage common side effects of conventional cancer treatments, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, pain, neuropathy, dry mouth, insomnia, and anxiety, thereby improving quality of life and treatment tolerance. (Always in coordination with primary oncology care).
• Dizziness & Vertigo (TCM Perspective): Acupuncture and herbal formulas to address various types of dizziness and vertigo by treating underlying TCM patterns such as Liver Yang Rising, Phlegm-Damp obstruction, or Qi and Blood deficiency.

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. Natalie can assess your needs.

• Acupuncture Treatment (Body Acupuncture): Insertion of fine, sterile, single-use needles into specific acupoints on the body's meridians (energy pathways) to stimulate Qi (vital energy) flow, alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, regulate organ function, and promote natural healing.
• Gua Sha (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization - TCM): Traditional East Asian healing technique, often used for musculoskeletal pain, common cold, fever, or heatstroke, to address pain by moving stagnant Qi and Blood, clear heat, and promote tissue recovery.
• Motor Point Acupuncture / Dry Needling (TCM Context): Precise needling of tight muscle bands and trigger points to reduce pain, improve local circulation, and restore normal muscle tone and movement patterns.
• 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.
• Scalp Acupuncture (Neuroacupuncture): A contemporary acupuncture technique involving the insertion of needles into specific therapeutic zones on the scalp that correspond to different body functions and brain areas (e.g., motor, sensory, balance zones), primarily used for neurological disorders, stroke rehabilitation, chronic pain, and psycho-emotional conditions.
• 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.
• 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.

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

• For those whose skin problems like eczema, persistent acne, psoriasis, or unexplained hives has made working at a desk or computer with reduced neck, shoulder, or back tension and clearer mental focus seem difficult, Natalie's acupuncture and TCM care offers a path toward a profound sense of relaxation, calm, and overall well-being following treatments. These time-tested therapies can be instrumental in helping you get back to working at a desk or computer with reduced neck, shoulder, or back tension and clearer mental focus with greater comfort.
• The path to overcoming dizziness, lightheadedness, or vertigo that affects my balance and daily activities and achieving a substantial increase in overall energy levels, vitality, and stamina throughout the day is often clearer with TCM. Natalie guides patients toward reclaiming activities such as managing daily stress with a greater sense of calm, focus, and emotional resilience with improved health.
• Many patients have found lasting relief from that nagging back pain that just won't go away and achieved achieving more regular, comfortable, and predictable bowel movements under the care of Natalie, allowing them to re-engage with activities such as cycling longer distances with their cycling club without discomfort with renewed vitality and ease.
• Restoring harmony is key in TCM. For stiff and sore neck or shoulders from stress or computer work, Natalie crafts treatments to achieve noticeable improvement in digestive comfort, with significantly less bloating, gas, or abdominal pain, supporting a return to activities like attending their favorite yoga and pilates classes with better flexibility and focus with comfort and confidence.

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

Natalie practices at Rive-Sud Chiropratique, situated in a dedicated acupuncture and TCM clinic located in the heart of the Boucherville community. The clinic is conveniently situated in the central Boucherville neighborhood, close to local community centers and public parks, making it easily accessible for residents and visitors alike. It is well-served by local public transit routes, ensuring easy access for those utilizing public transportation. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

What are Cupping, Moxibustion, Gua Sha, and Tui Na?

These are all adjunctive therapies often used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Cupping involves placing cups on the skin to create suction, which can help relieve muscle tension, improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and draw out toxins. Moxibustion is the therapeutic burning of an herb (mugwort) near or on acupuncture points to warm and invigorate the flow of Qi and Blood, often used for pain, 'cold' conditions, or to boost energy. Gua Sha involves gently scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool to improve circulation, release muscle tightness, and reduce pain or inflammation. Tui Na is a form of Chinese therapeutic massage that uses various hand techniques on acupressure points and meridians to relieve pain and harmonize Qi. Your Registered Acupuncturist will determine if any of these are appropriate and beneficial for your specific condition.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves the insertion of very fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body called acupoints. According to TCM theory, this helps to stimulate and balance the flow of Qi (vital energy) along pathways known as meridians. Acupuncture can help by reducing pain, alleviating stress and anxiety, improving sleep, regulating bodily functions (like digestion and hormones), boosting the immune system, and promoting overall well-being by encouraging the body's natural healing abilities.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi (pronounced 'chee') is often translated as 'vital energy' or 'life force.' It's considered the fundamental energy that flows throughout the body, responsible for all physiological processes, movement, warmth, and protection against illness. Meridians (or channels) are specific pathways through which Qi and Blood circulate. These pathways connect the internal organs with the exterior parts of the body, including muscles, skin, and sensory organs. Acupuncture points are specific locations along these meridians where the flow of Qi can be accessed and influenced to restore balance and health.

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

In Quebec, patients can generally see a Registered Acupuncteur (Ac.) or Registered TCM Practitioner directly without a referral from a physician, a practice known as direct access. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check with your individual insurance provider to understand their specific requirements.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a comprehensive medical system with thousands of years of history. It includes acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tui Na (therapeutic massage), cupping, moxibustion, and dietary and lifestyle advice. A Registered Acupuncturist uses these modalities to identify and treat the root causes of health imbalances by restoring the harmony of Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang. TCM aims to treat a wide range of conditions and promote long-term health and vitality.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Most patients find acupuncture needles to be extremely fine, sterile, and single-use, with insertion feeling like a tiny prick or a mild sensation. Many experience relaxation, warmth, or tingling during treatment. The needles are very thin, so discomfort is usually minimal. Registered practitioners strictly adhere to safety standards, using only sterile, disposable needles. Always communicate with your practitioner if you experience any discomfort during treatment.

Are Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine services covered by Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC?

Generally, acupuncture and TCM services provided by a Registered Acupuncturist or TCM Practitioner in a private clinic are not covered by provincial health insurance like RAMQ. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket. However, many private or extended health insurance plans offer partial or full coverage for these services, so it is recommended to check your individual policy for details.

Rive-Sud Chiropratique
550, boul. de Mortagne, suite 250
Boucherville, QC, J4B 5E4

Phone: (450) 552-6060

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

Registration Number: A-024-03

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.