Inclusive Care for All Bodies & Brains

We can make a variety of accommodations at Vitality Treatment Centre

If you have a larger body

• Most of our treatment tables have a lift capacity of 650 lbs.
• Acupuncture can be effective stimulating the space between your skin and muscles.
• Acupuncture needles come in lengths up to 100 mm long to reach deeper, or into muscles close to the bone if you have a deep tight muscle you want to release.

​If you have wide shoulders or large arms

• We can use the sheets to create a hammock for your elbows or hands so you don’t feel like they are going to slide off the sides.
• We can use pillows or bolsters on a chair beside the table to stretch out your arm to work on specific muscles or relax joints.

If your hands go numb while laying still

• ​We can use very small acupuncture needles on bandaids, so you can move your arms freely.
• We can prop small pillows or towels under elbows or wrists to change the angle of joints.

​If you are not comfortable laying flat

• We have pregnancy cushions for taking pressure off the breast and low back while laying face-down.
• We have pillows and boosters, so we can elevate your head and shoulders.
• You can lay on your side with pillows supporting your neck, waist, low back, hips, and knees.
• You can receive acupuncture while seated.

If you are over 6 feet tall

• We can place multiple pillows or bolsters under your knees. (Bent legs are shorter legs.)
• Please request room 4, where we can put a chair at the end of the table and stack bolsters to extend the table beyond 6 feet.

If you have difficulty with stairs

• ​Our building has a small elevator, accessible via ramp from the Fell Street entrance.

If you have difficulty with getting on and off treatment tables

• We have electric adjustable tables that can be set from lower than a couch to waist-height for most people, depending on which joints hurt.
• Acupuncture can be done while sitting if that is more comfortable.

If you dislike taking off clothes

• Acupuncture can be done using points on the arms, legs, scalp, ears, lower back, and neck.
• You can be fully dressed or only uncover one pre-discussed area at a time.

If you always feel cold

• We offer a table heating pad, a moist heat pad for specific areas, and an infrared heat lamp.
• Any area not needled can be covered by a towel or thicker blanket.
• You can usually keep your socks on.

If you always feel hot

• Vitality Treatment Centre has powerful central air conditioning.
• We can put damp towels in our freezer to cool specific spots, or for your headache, or sore joints.

If you have scent or allergen sensitivities

• We can open or close windows based on which scents or allergens affect you.
• Evening and Sunday appointments are available when there are fewer people around.
• You can call or email in advance about specific scents.

Please note, Vitality Treatment Centre is a public space; however, most people find our clinic less scented than a lot of public places.

• We have 2 dog friendly treatment rooms
• We often use essential oils, muscle liniments, and topical creams.
• Cleaning products are a possible risk.

Or I am happy to refer you to Compass Massage and Vivi Therapy, who offer home visits.

If you have claustrophobia

• Vitality has bright, spacious windows with adjustable blinds.
• The building’s main stairwell has windows at each level and we are on the third floor.

If you are nervous about needles

• It is your body and your treatment.
• You are allowed to stop any time or take a break for a few deep breaths.
• You can have a companion come with you to your appointment.
• I can stay with you in the room while you rest with the needles inserted.
• You can try just one needle during your free 20 minute consultation to see how you feel.
• We can limit needles to only places you can’t see them.

​If you are overstimulated by noise

• Treatment times are available on Sundays and 7:30pm (last time slot) Mondays through Thursdays, which minimizes the ambient noise of cell phones, conversations, traffic, etc.
• You are welcome to bring your own noise-cancelling headphones.
• I can also refer you to Vivi Therapy and Compass Massage, who offer home visits.

If you don’t like not knowing what is happening (Autism Spectrum, PTSD, anxieties of all sorts)

• I will happily talk you through each step of the process.
• Any and all questions are welcome.
• Taking breaks until you are sure what to expect and ready to proceed is normal and okay.

If you are immunocompromised

I want you to feel safe and comfortable. To lower risks found in shared spaces:

• I get regular vaccines.
• I am happy to wear a mask during treatment.
• I will be continually washing and sanitizing my hands.
• I use peroxide-based sanitizer on high touch items including doorknobs, light switches, oil bottles, equipment, etc.
• We ask people wear a mask if they have been near sick people recently. We have disposable ones available.
• Weather permitting, we can open windows in the treatment rooms.
• I offer appointments by phone or secure video call if you want home care tips for managing symptoms using self-massage/acupressure. 20 minute consultations are free. Longer appointments may or may not be covered by extended medical plans, but I cannot direct bill for these.
• If you have questions about whether another style of treatment might be more helpful for you or any of our safety protocols, please phone 250.370.1020.

If money is tight

• We can design your treatment plan with your budget in mind.
  For example, the same budget can provide much better results if you cluster treatments together to break through an old pain pattern.
• I offer shorter, less expensive 30 and 45 minute follow up appointments for managing recurring issues.
• You may have coverage through MSP for $23 per treatment.
• You may have coverage through extended medical plans offered by your employer or school, or that of a parent or spouse.
• For fellow small business owners, who may not have their own insurance, I offer $20 off 5 treatments per month. (Please note “Peer Support” in the comments when booking online.)
• An acupuncture appointment may be shared with another person, both fully dressed and seated, at the same time.
• Community Clinics like Hemma and Victoria Centre accept sliding scale payment, based on income.
• Pacific Rim College and Oshio College offer student rates for acupuncture.
• West Coast College of Massage Therapy and Camosun College offer student rates for massage and athletic therapy.