Emotional Health & Wellness
Red Leaf Wellness offers a variety of acupuncture, massage, nutrition, and functional medicine services in Edmonton, Alberta to treat and improve emotional health and wellness. Our whole health, functional and alternative medicine strategies are blended with the best of ancient Eastern healing and modern Western medicine to address common concerns such as stress, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and more.
Throughout history, acupuncture has been used to evaluate, diagnose, and effectively treat a wide variety of emotional health conditions such as chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. In fact, due to their prevalence emotional and psychological symptoms are some of the most widely studied in relation to acupuncture.
Commonly, emotional and psychological symptoms can be traced back to chemical or hormonal imbalances. By bringing down your stress threshold, you will have a better chance of alleviating symptoms of:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia and Sleep Health
- Chronic Fatigue
- Depression
- PTSD
- Chronic Stress
- Bi-Polar Disorder
- ADHD
The Stress Response
Our stress response is a natural process that helps us cope with change and immediate threats. It is caused by a series of chemical reactions that are triggered by our autonomic nervous system (ANS) – also known as the “fight-or-flight” response.
Chronic stress develops when there is a constant increase in stress hormones that are generally sustained over a long period of time. The body learns to stay in a state of stress as a protective mechanism which manifests in anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
It has been shown that the stimulation of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland impacts numerous body systems to help relieve you of chronic stress. The change in the secretion of neurotransmitters and neuro-hormones is highly significant to positively influence your brain chemistry as well as your mental wellness!
Our Emotional Health & Wellness Treatments
Controlled studies suggest that acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine can offer healing modalities to help normalize stress hormone levels. They work by stimulating the conduction of electromagnetic signals connected to the chemicals that manage pain sensations.
In turn, acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural opioid system in order to reduce anxiety, promote a state of calmness, and even induce sleep.
Acupuncture for Emotional Health & Wellness
There are a large number of acupuncture points that can address symptoms of mental and emotional health concerns, including chronic stress. These vary based on the specificity of the condition.
In general, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a strong proponent of organ-emotion connections as the emotional and physical body are interconnected and strongly influence one another.
For example:
- Anxiety is linked to the Spleen, Lungs, and the Heart in relation to the Kidney
- The Spleen is related to obsessing and overthinking and is seen as the underlying cause of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- The Lungs are related to symptoms of grief, self-esteem issues, and the inability to let go
- The Liver is related to anger, resentment, and frustration that leaves us feeling stuck
All of these imbalances can contribute to how the energy flows to the organ systems, depending on how the anxiety manifests in the body.
By looking at the emotions we feel, a direct connection to the functioning of our organs can be revealed.
Our acupuncturists at Red Leaf Wellness can determine the areas in the body that are deficient, stagnant, and in need of restoration. This will help you recognize how your emotional tendencies have manifested into your body so that you can cultivate a sense of control over your life again.
Massage Therapy for Emotional Health & Wellness
Massage therapy helps reduce some of the stress and tension that accumulates in our muscles during periods of high pressure or elevated anxiety. Besides making your body feel better, regular massage can also reduce cortisol levels, a hormone our bodies release when we feel stressed out or anxious.
Massage has also been linked with increased oxytocin levels. Oxytocin is sometimes known as the cuddle hormone because it’s commonly released when we experience human touch, usually from a loved one. However, research has shown that the human contact experienced during a massage has the same effect, helping to diminish feelings of loneliness and the sense of disconnection.
Nurture Your Emotional Wellbeing
Red Leaf Wellness is an integrative wellness clinic based in Edmonton, Alberta. We offer acupuncture and acupuncture-related services to provide highly specialized treatment for stress management, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, and other conditions that can affect your mental and emotional health.
Our knowledgeable and friendly staff is dedicated to offering unique treatment plans that can make a lasting positive impact on your overall health.
If you’re ready to nurture your emotional wellbeing, book your appointment today!
Edmonton Emotional Health Specialists:
Cora Rennie 🇬🇧
Cora Rennie is a Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist who helps people feel safer, more regulated, and more present in their bodies. She brings more than two decades of personal experience with this gentle healing work into every session. What clients notice most is the sense of calm, clarity, and renewed ease that continues well after they leave the table.
Cora’s journey with craniosacral therapy began over twenty years ago when a single practice session left her body deeply relaxed in a way she had never before experienced. That moment opened her eyes to how profoundly the nervous system responds to safe, informed touch. It also became personal when she saw dramatic improvement in her mother’s migraines and vertigo after just a few sessions with a practitioner.
After completing a rigorous two-year Biodynamic CranioSacral Therapy (BCST) training, Cora has developed a deep understanding of how the body’s own innate healing intelligence can be supported. She holds certification and registration with the Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America, and her work is grounded in respect for the body’s natural rhythms and its drive toward health.
Clients come to Cora for many reasons, from ongoing stress and overwhelm to persistent tension patterns, sleep disruption, and emotional holding. Many people report:
- A sense of nervous system calm and safety
- Better sleep and less reactivity to stress
- A feeling of being more settled in their body
- Enhanced capacity to engage with life rather than just survive it
- Support through major life transitions like perimenopause and menopause
Because BCST works with the nervous system itself, clients often find that their whole system begins to feel more coherent and resilient. This can lead to better outcomes with other forms of care too, as the body becomes more able to integrate changes and treatments.
Cora believes that every symptom is part of the body’s effort to protect and to adapt. Her role is not to “fix” you but to offer a supportive environment where your system can experience safety, resource, and deeper regulation. She feels honored to witness the shifts that happen when a body is finally allowed to come into balance.
Her approach is warm, perceptive, and grounded in connection, inviting you to be an active participant in your own healing. Whether you are navigating stress, transitioning through hormone changes, or seeking a more integrated sense of well-being, Cora’s work offers a space to be met, supported, and held with care.
Cora provides care at Red Leaf Wellness as an independent contractor.
Cora Rennie 🇬🇧
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist
Cora Rennie is a Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist who helps people...
Lee-Anne Cunanan 🇬🇧 🇵🇭
Lee-Anne Cunanan is a Registered Massage Therapist who graduated from Makami College’s 3000 hour Advanced Massage Therapy program. Since beginning her practice, she has focused on delivering thoughtful, client centered care that supports pain relief, mobility, relaxation, and long term wellness.
Her clinical approach blends therapeutic massage, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy to address common musculoskeletal concerns such as chronic tension, postural strain, and stress related discomfort. Lee-Anne believes the body functions as an interconnected system, which led her to further her education in Manual Osteopathy at the Manual Osteopathic College of Canada. This additional training allows her to incorporate a whole body perspective into her treatments, supporting structural balance and improved overall function.
Throughout her career, Lee-Anne has worked in collaborative environments alongside manual osteopaths, acupuncturists, Reiki practitioners, and counsellors. She values integrated care and understands the strong relationship between physical tension and mental well being. Her treatments are tailored, attentive, and grounded in open communication so clients feel heard, supported, and comfortable.
Outside of her practice, Lee-Anne is also a professional cook. She began her culinary career at the Fairmont Banff Springs as an apprentice cook and currently works at Braven restaurant, where she has trained across multiple stations including garde manger and grill. Her experience in high performance kitchens has strengthened her discipline, attention to detail, and ability to stay calm under pressure. She continues to expand her skills in butchery and handmade pasta, bringing the same dedication and craftsmanship to both her culinary and therapeutic work.
Lee-Anne is passionate about helping people feel their best and supporting them in reaching their wellness goals. She looks forward to welcoming both new and returning clients into her care.
Lee-Anne provides care at Red Leaf Wellness as an independent contractor.
Lee-Anne Cunanan 🇬🇧 🇵🇭
Massage/Manual Osteopath
Lee-Anne Cunanan is a Registered Massage Therapist who graduated from...