Gua Sha Services Edmonton2023-09-04T00:20:49+00:00

Gua Sha Services Edmonton

Gua Sha Edmonton

Red Leaf Wellness offers Gua Sha as one of our many services in Edmonton, Alberta. Our clinic provides whole health and alternative medicine strategies by combining the best of ancient Eastern healing and modern Western medicine.

In addition to Gua Sha therapy, we offer highly specialized treatment to address many conditions that can affect your physical and mental health. 

Gua Sha dates as far back as the Paleolithic Age when people used their hands and stones to massage parts of the body to reduce the side effects and symptoms of many illnesses.

Gua Sha

Gua Sha is a treatment that is used primarily for early cold symptoms or tightness in large muscle groups. This traditional technique involves using a dull-edged device, like a soup spoon or polished stone, to gently massage the skin – usually in the upper back and neck areas.

Gua Sha addresses stagnant energy known as chi in the body which many believe is responsible for inflammation, which is the underlying cause of many conditions associated with chronic pain.

Rubbing the skin with the Gua Sha technique helps break up this energy, reduce inflammation, and promote healing, but don’t worry, this technique is not at all painful and does not cause bleeding or scabbing. You may, however, experience some slight bruising or redness for 1 to 3 days after the treatment.

Another Gua sha technique is used in facial acupuncture for improved blood circulation, reduced puffiness, the appearance of wrinkles, dark eye circles and dull-looking skin. It also helps the skin naturally purge blemish-causing dirt and oils, but unlike the traditional technique used on the body, this facial treatment will not leave any bruising. Ask your practitioner or any Red Leaf Wellness team member about our facial acupuncture package deals for the best savings.

The Benefits of Gua Sha

Gua Sha moves lymphatic fluids, detoxifies the body, and breaks down tension in your muscles, which leads to improved blood flow and less pain inducing inflammation. 

This can help relieve a number of health conditions, including musculoskeletal problems such as tightness in the shoulders, legs, and back as well as tension headaches, migraines, neck pain, joint pain, and swelling of the body.

Gua Sha can also help with anxiety, fatigue, chronic pain, insomnia, and perimenopausal symptoms – especially when done integratively with acupuncture.

Apart from these benefits, you may also notice an improvement in your circulation, immune system, and allergic inflammation.

Getting the Most Out of Gua Sha Therapy

When you schedule an appointment with one of our practitioners, it’s important to be prepared so you can get the most out of this therapy.

Before booking an appointment, make a list of the areas of your body in which you experience aches and pains as well as any prior injuries or health issues. This will allow the practitioner to customize your treatment to address your unique needs.

Be sure to try and come to your appointment relaxed. Make sure you are not rushed and take a moment or two before the treatment to calm your mind and body.

You should also avoid strenuous activities after your treatment. Gua Sha is used to reach deep tissues and push inflammation from your muscles so engaging in a workout can cause discomfort.

We also sell gua sha tools in our clinic for your own use and practice at home.

Specialists on our Team:

Dr. Michell Winton, Registered Acupuncturist

Dr. Michelle Winton 🇬🇧

Position: Acupuncture, Massage
Categories: Acupuncture, Back Pain, Cardiovascular Health, Chronic Pain, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Cupping, Cupping, Depression, Digestive Health, Electrostimulation, Gender Reassignment, Gua Sha, Headaches & Migraines, Inclusive Health, Insomnia and Sleep Health, Massage Therapy, Moxibustion, Musculoskeletal, Pain Management, Pregnancy, PTSD, Relaxation Massage, Respiratory Health, Sciatica, Seniors Health, Soft Tissue Injury, Sports Injury, Stress, Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ), Therapeutic Massage, Whiplash

Massage Therapy Pressure Scale 5-8Helping people comes naturally to Michelle! As a highly skilled Acupuncturist, Massage Therapist, and Advanced Care Paramedic she is widely recognized for developing unique care plans which draw on her knowledge and therapeutic touch gained across each of these specialized disciplines. Having over twenty years of combined expertise in caring for her patients, Michelle has had a front row seat to observe how stress and emotion affect the mind and body. Complementing her acupuncture services at Red Leaf Wellness, Michelle offers a variety of therapeutic and relaxation massage therapies, including pregnancy massage, myofascial release and myofascial cupping.

Michelle began her health career as a massage therapist, graduating the 2200hr Massage Program at Macewan University in 2001. Being active in competitive sport in her youth, Michelle understood the benefits of massage on sport performance, recovery and injury prevention. She subsequently branched into emergency care and became an Advanced Care Paramedic where she was able to offer a calming presence in stressful, emergent situations. Michelle has always believed that soft skills, an extra moment spent with family, or a hand to hold on the way to the hospital, can be as healing as the specific medical interventions themselves. Working as a Paramedic Michelle saw, and began to question, how it is that people differ in disease and the aging process and why the same drug benefited one person, but not the other. Her lifelong learning journey had her begin to look for these answers in the time-tested practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture, thus kicking off another quest for knowledge at MacEwan University’s Acupuncture Program.

Education:

  • Diploma – Acupuncture, Macewan University
  • Diploma – Emergency Medical Technician (Paramedic), Augustana University
    • Honors standings
  • Certificate – Massage Therapy Grant MacEwan College

Licensure:

  • RAc, College of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA)
  • RMT, National Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC)
  • ACP, Alberta College of Paramedics
Dr. Michell Winton, Registered Acupuncturist

Dr. Michelle Winton 🇬🇧

Acupuncture, Massage

Helping people comes naturally to Michelle! As a highly skilled...

DR.CIARA BUCHAN

Dr. Ciara Moynihan 🇬🇧

Position: Acupuncture, Reiki
Categories: Acupuncture, Anxiety, Back Pain, Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Pain, Cosmetic Acupuncture, Cupping, Cycle Health and PMS, Depression, Digestive Health, Emotional Health, Facial Rejuvenation, Gender Reassignment, Gua Sha, Headaches & Migraines, Hot Flashes, Inclusive Health, Insomnia and Sleep Health, Menopause, Pain Management, Pediatric Acupuncture, PTSD, Reiki, Respiratory Health, Sinuses, Soft Tissue Injury, Sports Injury, Stress, Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ), Whiplash

Dr. Ciara Moynihan, a distinguished graduate from the Acupuncture Program at Reeves College. With nearly two decades of experience as a Personal Fitness Trainer, she possesses a profound understanding of the human body and its intricate workings. Dr. Moynihan’s career in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture is anchored by her unwavering commitment to holistic healing—addressing not just the physical, but also the emotional and mental dimensions of her patients’ well-being.

In today’s fast-paced society, Dr. Moynihan is a strong proponent of adopting a gentle, compassionate approach to self-care. She firmly believes that this foundation of self-compassion is essential for achieving optimal health and vitality. Specializing in acupuncture, she employs this ancient technique as a primary tool for delving into and resolving her patients’ deeper health challenges, empowering them to lead flourishing lives.

Certified in Reiki and Crystal Healing, and holding a Doctorate in Acupuncture, Dr. Moynihan synthesizes her diverse expertise to cultivate a nurturing and empathetic therapeutic environment. She is highly regarded for her skillful touch, compassionate demeanour, and her knack for demystifying complex medical jargon, thereby instilling confidence in her patients as they navigate their unique paths to healing.

Dr. Moynihan’s clinical acumen spans a broad spectrum of health issues, ranging from stress and emotional disorders to digestive problems and headaches. She has a particular zeal for addressing fertility issues and women’s health, and her proficiency in pediatric acupuncture, Reiki, Fire Cupping, and other TCM modalities has solidified her standing in the holistic health community.

Trained by some of the foremost experts in Oriental Medicine, Dr. Moynihan is also a recognized authority in Cosmetic and Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture. Additionally, she holds a certification in Subconscious Imprinting, a technique she employs to identify and eradicate subconscious patterns that could adversely affect her patients’ overall health and life quality.

At the core of Dr. Moynihan’s practice is her holistic philosophy that every individual is entitled to a vibrant, fulfilling life. She is passionately devoted to turning this philosophy into a lived reality for all her patients.


Education:

  • Diploma of Acupuncture (Dipl.Ac) Reeves College

Licensure:

  • RAc, College and Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA)
DR.CIARA BUCHAN

Dr. Ciara Moynihan 🇬🇧

Acupuncture, Reiki

Dr. Ciara Moynihan, a distinguished graduate from the Acupuncture Program...

Headshot of a smiling woman with long wavy brown hair, wearing a rust-colored sweater and a heart-shaped pendant necklace.

Dr. Olivia Wiebe 🇬🇧

Position: Acupuncture, Herbalism
Categories: Acupuncture, Anxiety, Cosmetic Acupuncture, Cupping, Cycle Health and PMS, Electrostimulation, Emotional Health, Facial Cupping, Facial Rejuvenation, Gua Sha, Headaches & Migraines, Herbal Medicine, Hormonal Health, Hot Flashes, Insomnia and Sleep Health, Menopause, Moxibustion, Pain Management, Pregnancy, Stress, Women's Health

Olivia Wiebe is a dedicated practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, offering a compassionate and holistic approach to wellness. Graduating from MacEwan University in 2017 with a diploma in Acupuncture, Olivia’s journey into this ancient healing practice began during her high school years, where she first experienced its transformative effects. This initial exposure led her to a profound understanding of the body’s complex interplay with lifestyle and environment, shaping her therapeutic approach.

Equipped with deep knowledge in yin/yang theory, 5-element theory, meridian channels, and organ diagnosis, Olivia views health as a harmonious balance between physical, emotional, and environmental factors. Her commitment to expanding her expertise led her to pursue an additional 2.5 years of study in Chinese Herbology at Pacific Rim College in Victoria, BC. This rigorous training, coupled with her experience in Western Herbology, has enabled her to integrate a rich tapestry of herbal wisdom into her practice.

Olivia’s therapeutic focus includes alleviating aches and pains, addressing insomnia, stress, and anxiety, and enhancing women’s health, among other areas. She is passionate about assisting her patients in every step of their healing journey, regardless of their familiarity with Acupuncture or Chinese Medicine.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Olivia is an avid nature enthusiast, often found embracing the tranquility of the river valley or indulging in forest bathing with her beloved dog. She is also a skilled pianist, classically trained through the Royal Conservatory, and has shared her love for music by teaching piano lessons for over a decade.

At our clinic, Olivia Wiebe stands as a testament to the power of integrative care, combining her rich knowledge of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine with a deep-rooted passion for natural healing. Whether you are new to Acupuncture or seeking advanced care, Olivia welcomes all questions and looks forward to guiding you on your path to wellness.

Education

  • Diploma of Acupuncture, MacEwan University

Certifications/Licensure

  • Registered Acupuncturist – College of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA)
Headshot of a smiling woman with long wavy brown hair, wearing a rust-colored sweater and a heart-shaped pendant necklace.

Dr. Olivia Wiebe 🇬🇧

Acupuncture, Herbalism

Olivia Wiebe is a dedicated practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional...

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