Zoé Lamothe-Falardeau

Zoé Lamothe-Falardeau 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): Restoring balance to the large and small intestines and related organ systems (like Spleen, Liver, Kidney) to promote normal stool consistency, frequency, and ease of passage.
• 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.
• Nausea & Vomiting (e.g., Morning Sickness, Post-Chemotherapy): Harmonizing the Stomach Qi and directing its rebellious upward flow downwards to alleviate feelings of queasiness and prevent vomiting.

Respiratory Allergy & Immune

• Allergies (Seasonal/Environmental, e.g., Hay Fever, Allergic Rhinitis) & Sinusitis: Addressing underlying Lung, Spleen, and Kidney Qi deficiencies or external pathogenic factors like Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, or Dampness that contribute to allergic responses and chronic sinus inflammation.
• 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.
• 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.
• Weak Immune System & Recurrent Infections: TCM strategies, including regular acupuncture, moxibustion, and constitutional herbal tonics, to strengthen the body's overall defensive energy (Wei Qi) and address underlying deficiencies in Qi, Blood, Yin, or Yang that may lead to a weakened immune system and frequent infections (e.g., colds, sinus infections, UTIs).

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. Zoé can assess your needs.

• 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.
• TCM Observation & Palpation Diagnosis: Careful observation of your complexion, eyes, hair, nails, posture, and demeanor, combined with palpation of specific body areas or meridians to detect tenderness, temperature changes, or energetic blockages.
• 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 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 Zoé, 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 Zoé Lamothe, Ac, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Zoé frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• For those whose sports injuries like sprains, strains, or tendonitis needing faster healing has made taking energetic, long walks with their dog every day and enjoying it seem difficult, Zoé's acupuncture and TCM care offers a path toward improved mental focus, concentration, and cognitive clarity as overall health and energy improve. These time-tested therapies can be instrumental in helping you get back to taking energetic, long walks with their dog every day and enjoying it with greater comfort.
• If fertility challenges, trying to conceive, or wanting to prepare my body for pregnancy is preventing you from fully enjoying feeling more energetic, focused, and productive throughout the workday without energy slumps, Zoé offers skilled acupuncture and TCM care. Treatment focuses on a noticeable reduction in muscle tension, tightness, and related discomfort or stiffness, often utilizing acupuncture, herbal remedies (if R.TCMP), and lifestyle advice to help you regain balance and function.
• Through personalized acupuncture and TCM with Zoé, common concerns like digestive issues like bloating, gas, cramps, constipation, or diarrhea (IBS-like symptoms) are assessed from a holistic perspective to achieve reduced cravings and better management of withdrawal symptoms, aiding in addiction recovery (e.g., smoking cessation), helping people to once again enjoy working at a desk or computer with reduced neck, shoulder, or back tension and clearer mental focus.
• Dealing with the ongoing challenges of brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or poor memory? Zoé works collaboratively with patients to reach the goal of a more positive outlook and improved mood stability. This might involve specific acupuncture protocols, cupping, or moxibustion, all aimed at helping you confidently resume dressing yourself independently and without difficulty.

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

Zoé's practice at Zoé Lamothe, Ac is situated in a dedicated acupuncture and TCM clinic located in the heart of the central Saint-Lambert neighborhood. The clinic is conveniently positioned near local community centers and public parks, making it easy for clients to integrate their treatments into daily life. Accessible via multiple public transit routes, the clinic provides a serene environment for healing and relaxation. Street parking is often available nearby, ensuring a comfortable visit for all patients.

Is there anything I should do to prepare for or after an acupuncture session?

Before your acupuncture session, it's good to have a light meal or snack about 1-2 hours prior; avoid coming on an empty stomach or immediately after a heavy meal. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your arms, legs, and abdomen. Avoid caffeine or alcohol just before treatment. After your session, it's best to avoid strenuous activity for a few hours and drink plenty of water. Some people feel very relaxed or even a bit tired, while others feel energized. Pay attention to any changes in your symptoms or well-being and report them to your Registered Acupuncturist at your next visit.

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 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.

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 RAMQ in QC. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket for these services. It is recommended to check with private or extended health insurance plans, as many do offer some coverage for services provided by registered practitioners, though coverage levels vary.

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 in place, you might feel sensations such as a dull ache, warmth, tingling, or a feeling of heaviness, which are signs that Qi is being influenced. Most patients find the experience very relaxing. Safety is a priority; registered practitioners only use sterile, disposable needles. Always communicate with your practitioner if you experience discomfort during treatment.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi (pronounced 'chee') is considered the vital energy or life force that circulates throughout the body, responsible for physiological processes, movement, warmth, and protection. Meridians are specific pathways through which Qi and Blood flow, connecting internal organs with the exterior body parts such as muscles, skin, and sensory organs. Acupuncture points are located along these meridians and are used to access and influence the flow of Qi to restore balance and health.

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 referral from a physician (direct access). However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a doctor's referral for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check the specific requirements of your insurance provider before your appointment.

Zoé Lamothe, Ac
567 Ave Victoria, suite 100-8
Saint-Lambert, QC, J4P 3R2

Phone: (514) 998-0490

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

Registration Number: A-040-96

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.