Sophie Laverdière

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

Respiratory Allergy Immune

• 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.
• Allergies (Seasonal/Environmental, e.g., Hay Fever, Allergic Rhinitis) & Sinusitis: Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and TCM dietary advice to reduce allergic reactions and sensitivities, alleviate symptoms like sneezing, itchy/watery eyes, nasal congestion, and sinus pain, and strengthen the body's defensive Qi (Wei Qi) to make it less reactive to allergens.
• Weak Immune System & Recurrent Infections: A proactive and preventative TCM approach to enhance your body's natural defense mechanisms, reduce susceptibility to illness, and promote robust, long-term immunity.

Other Common

• Bell's Palsy & Facial Paralysis Recovery: Early and consistent TCM intervention to maximize functional recovery and minimize residual facial weakness or asymmetry.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) & Adrenal Fatigue Support (TCM): Natural and comprehensive solutions for combating persistent, debilitating tiredness, improving energy production, and enhancing overall resilience and quality of life.

Digestive Gastrointestinal

• Acid Reflux (GERD), Heartburn & Indigestion (Dyspepsia): Natural relief for upper digestive discomfort, promoting better digestion, reducing stomach acidity issues, and restoring overall digestive harmony.
• Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis (IBD) - Supportive TCM Care: Holistic and integrative TCM care to help modulate the immune response, alleviate abdominal pain and diarrhea, and support overall digestive health in individuals with Crohn's or colitis.
• Nausea & Vomiting (e.g., Morning Sickness, Post-Chemotherapy): Acupuncture (especially point Pericardium-6) and gentle herbal remedies to effectively reduce nausea and vomiting associated with various causes, including morning sickness during pregnancy, side effects of chemotherapy or medications, or motion sickness.

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. Sophie can assess your needs.

• Scalp Acupuncture (Neuroacupuncture): Targeted stimulation of scalp acupoints to influence the central nervous system, improve motor function, alleviate paralysis or paresis, and treat complex pain syndromes.
• 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.
• 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.
• TCM Tongue Diagnosis: In-depth analysis of various tongue characteristics to help formulate an accurate TCM pattern diagnosis and a highly individualized treatment plan.
• 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.
• Motor Point Acupuncture / Dry Needling (TCM Context): Targeting specific motor points (areas where nerves enter muscles) or Ashi (tender) points with acupuncture needles to release muscle trigger points, alleviate myofascial pain, restore muscle function, and improve range of motion. (May be described as dry needling when performed by an acupuncturist within a TCM framework).
• 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.

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

• For those whose general feeling of being 'off' or 'out of balance' energetically has made traveling more comfortably without being plagued by motion sickness, digestive upset, or travel-related anxiety seem difficult, Sophie’s acupuncture and TCM care offers a path toward a stronger, more robust, and resilient immune system, leading to fewer colds, flu, or other infections. These time-tested therapies can be instrumental in helping you get back to traveling more comfortably without being plagued by motion sickness, digestive upset, or travel-related anxiety with greater comfort.
• If seasonal allergies (hay fever) making me sneeze, congested, and miserable is preventing you from fully enjoying shoveling snow or raking leaves without aggravating their back, Sophie offers skilled acupuncture and TCM care. Treatment focuses on feeling empowered with practical self-care techniques, such as acupressure, moxibustion for home use, or specific TCM dietary advice, often utilizing acupuncture, herbal remedies (if R.TCMP), and lifestyle advice to help you regain balance and function.
• It's rewarding for Sophie to witness patients find relief from ringing in the ears (tinnitus) that’s bothersome and experience a significant reduction in allergy symptoms (sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes) and less reliance on allergy medications through TCM. A tailored approach can make a significant difference in your ability to participate in standing for longer periods, for example, while cooking or at an event, without discomfort again.
• Acupuncture and TCM with Sophie can be a turning point for those affected by feeling stressed out, anxious, overwhelmed, or panicky most of the time. The goal is achieving an enhanced overall quality of life and a greater capacity to enjoy daily activities and social engagements, paving the way for you to enjoy sitting comfortably through a movie at the cinema or a play and a more balanced, vibrant life.

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

Sophie practices at Centre Kinesis, situated within an acupuncture and TCM clinic in the central Saint-Lambert neighborhood of Saint-Lambert. The clinic is conveniently located near local community centers and public parks, making it easy for clients to incorporate visits into their daily routines. Accessible via local public transit routes, it offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby, providing added convenience for clients coming by car.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic approach to health and wellness based on ancient principles. A Registered Acupuncturist will assess your overall state of health, looking for patterns of imbalance according to TCM theory (often involving tongue and pulse diagnosis). Treatment may involve acupuncture, customized herbal formulas (if an R.TCMP), cupping, moxibustion, and specific dietary and lifestyle recommendations to help restore your body's natural balance and promote healing.

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.

What should I expect during my first Acupuncture or TCM appointment?

Your initial Acupuncture/TCM appointment will typically involve a comprehensive intake process, often lasting 60 to 90 minutes. Your Registered Acupuncturist will discuss your main health concerns in detail, review your medical history, and inquire about your lifestyle, diet, sleep patterns, and emotional state. A key part of this initial visit is the TCM diagnostic assessment, which usually includes looking at your tongue and feeling your pulse on both wrists. Based on all this information, a TCM diagnosis (identifying your specific pattern of imbalance) will be formulated. Your practitioner will then discuss a personalized treatment plan with you, which may include acupuncture, and if you are seeing an R.TCMP or Dr.TCM, potentially an herbal formula, cupping, moxibustion, or dietary/lifestyle advice. An initial acupuncture treatment is often administered during this first visit to begin addressing your concerns.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture, performed by a qualified Registered Acupuncturist, is a therapeutic technique where thin needles are inserted at specific points on your body. It is based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and aims to restore balance to your body's energy flow. It can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions, including pain management (like back pain or headaches), stress reduction, digestive issues, menstrual problems, and much more, by helping to activate your body's own healing mechanisms.

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 Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). Patients typically pay out-of-pocket. It is advisable to check with private or extended health insurance plans, as coverage varies and many do offer reimbursement for services by registered practitioners.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Acupuncture needles are extremely fine, sterile, and single-use, often not much thicker than a human hair, so their insertion is usually painless or feels like a tiny prick, much less intense than an injection. Once inserted, you might feel sensations such as a dull ache, warmth, tingling, or heaviness, which indicate Qi is being influenced. Most people find acupuncture very relaxing. Registered practitioners use only sterile, disposable needles to ensure safety. Always communicate with your practitioner if you experience discomfort.

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

In Quebec, patients can typically consult 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. It is recommended to verify the specific requirements of your insurance policy before your appointment.

Centre Kinesis
20, Hickson, bureau 200
Saint-Lambert, QC, J4R 2N3

Phone: (450) 672-4114

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

Registration Number: A-014-17

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.