Acupuncture insights & TCM tips from Dr. Vignal, West Edmonton
A Note from Dr. Vignal, Acupuncturist
Welcoming Autumn with Intention & Balance
Dear Community,
As the crisp autumn air settles over Edmonton and the golden leaves blanket our river valley, nature gently reminds us to slow our pace, conserve our vitality, and transition inward. I am delighted to welcome you to our October newsletter and take a moment to introduce myself more personally to all the wonderful people who make up the 3 Leaf community.
Hello!
I’m Dr. Vignal, your friendly neighbourhood acupuncturist! Over the past few months I have been building my practice at 3 Leaf Wellness and have connected with some wonderful clients in the process. I felt like it was about time I introduced myself through this newsletter and shared a little bit more about what acupuncture can do for you!
It is such an incredible medicine that helps the body tap into its own healing mechanisms, to balance a wide variety of dis-harmonies from back and neck tension, headaches, and sport injuries to digestion, sleep issues, menstrual pain, emotional regulation, and so much more!
I came to this medicine through my mother, a licensed massage therapist and body worker, who introduced me to her acupuncturist while I was in my young teenage years. It was a time in my life where I was a high functioning student-athlete, playing multiple instruments, and dealing with a soup of stress, anxiety, and emotional change as a young woman growing up in the 21st century.
I remember being so weirded out my first time in the treatment room. The acupuncturist told me to stick out my tongue, because that was going to tell her how my organs were functioning, and then I was going to lie down with needles in me and…relax…with needles in me? Well, I did relax. It was such a warm and cozy atmosphere, I was actually able to slow down and notice sensations coursing through my body. Acupuncture was a gateway for me in becoming more deeply connected to my inner world. It gave me the space to slow down and really listen to what was going on in my body amidst such a full, big, busy, beautiful life.
Since then, I have been countless times for all sorts of imbalances: volleyball injuries, exam stress release, period cramps, acne, nervous system regulation after a bad break up, and when I just wanted a reset.
When I was preparing to graduate high school, it was in the midst of a heavy time in the world. So many things were uncertain and I honestly didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. Who does at that age, truly, let alone what the world would look like when I was out of school.
And so, there I was scrolling on university websites looking at programs and I came across the Acupuncture program at Grant MacEwan. I read the course description and something inside me clicked!
My time at MacEwan was a wonderful, weird, magical journey. I got to study anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathophysiology. And, also…ancient Chinese folk medicine, eastern diagnostic methods, organ function from a physical, emotional, and energetic standpoint, nutrition, body work techniques, and how to work with life force energy - Qi.
There are truly endless things to learn within this medicine and this type of work, and I am dedicated to being a life long student. It is a passion of mine to learn, to investigate, to understand why, to get to the root of things, and then to use the tools I’ve picked up along the way to write a new story and carve a new path.
Though this is in many ways the beginning of my story, I bring with me a lifetime of experience with this type of work. I grew up in a household that valued emotional intelligence, comradery, awareness, living in alignment mind body and soul. I have a deep understanding of and appreciation for living in authentic truth, and the fact that that looks different for each and every person. My goal with getting into this medicine is to help you be the best YOU!
Beyond the Needles: How Acupuncture Works
So how does it work?
Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points on meridians throughout the body, which trigger physiological, psychological, and anatomical responses depending on surrounding anatomy. Every point is tied to the nervous system, and by stimulating sensory neurons around the points, the body sends signals to the central nervous system, which tells the brain to release natural chemicals such as endorphins, enkephalins, dopamine, GABA, and dynorphins.
It also encourages activity in the somatosensory cortex of the brian, limbic system, and autonomic nervous system - essentially shifting how the body processes pain, stress, and emotion. Other effects include anti-inflammatory response, collagen production, increased circulation, and myofascial release.
Here is an article detailing some of the neurological mechanisms behind acupuncture:
Now, this fall I want to offer you some simple TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) remedies to help ease the seasonal transition.
In TCM, fall is a time when we transition from Yang into Yin - from summer into winter. Where things slow down, nights are longer, and rest is meant to be a priority. Autumn is a time of dryness, as the cold weather approaches and often combines with wind - this is directly linked to our Lung and Large Intestine systems.
Some common symptoms I notice experienced during this time include:
Internal dryness (think dry coughs, dry throat, dry skin, flaky skin, mild chills, nose bleeds)
Thirst
Headaches
Nasal congestion
Upper back and neck tension
Decrease in energy
Constipation
Sound familiar? This is actually just your body responding to the changes happening in the natural world around us. TCM offers us a way in which to work with your body as a whole, a natural being, and there are many ways in which we can support this seasonal shift!
Here are 3 simple tools you can use to support a healthy, feel good autumn:
Three TCM Tips for Easing into Fall
01
Eat moistening foods!
In TCM, this helps build yin energy by building internal fluids, which directly combats seasonal dryness!
Try pears, cooked apples, goji berries, pumpkin, cooked spinach. Food at this time should be slow cooked - think soups and stews - to best support yin!
Avoid excessive spice, coffee, sugars, alcohols which encourage heat in the body and dries out yin
02
Warm Hydration
A cup of warm broth, warm water instead of cool, herbal teas (like mulberry leaf, nettle, and chamomile) are wonderful ways to gently build yin
Again, avoid drinks containing excessive flavouring, sugar, alcohol, spice, and caffeine to avoid depleting yin and encouraging dryness.
03
Protect 'Wind Gate'
...meaning, cover your neck!
In TCM, we refer to the back of the neck as a "Wind Gate," where external pathogens (like cold and wind) easily enter the body to cause colds or flu.
To combat this, wear a scarf or high collared jackets when travelling outdoors.
And don't forget...
04
REGULAR ACUPUNCTURE!
Helps to support physiological and energetic shifts!
Encourages mind body connections, getting you in touch with your own self
A wonderful nervous system reset! An hour in a relaxing, cozy treatment room where you get to lay back and receive care, all covered by your benefits!
Supporting You Through Every Season
Whether you are navigating seasonal allergies, musculoskeletal tension, sleep shifts, or simply wish to restore your equilibrium this October, I would love an opportunity to work with you!
Thank you for allowing me to share my journey and open your mind to the wisdom of TCM and acupuncture. I look forward to connecting with you in the clinic soon.
Warmest regards, Dr. Makenna Vignal, Acupuncturist
Please, feel free to email me at willowandsageacu@gmail.com with any questions or curiosities you have about Acupuncture. I’m always happy to chat :)
For scheduling and general communication email our team at info@3leaf.ca
UPDATED SCHEDULE
Makenna is now offering Acupuncture on Sundays!
Her current availability is:
Wednesday 9:00- 2:00
Friday 10:00- 2:00
Alternating Saturdays 10:00- 4:00
Sundays 10:00- 4:00
Please note: Sundays our clinic remains closed except for clients who have appointments with Makenna. On Sundays please contact info@3leaf.ca with any day- of appointment changes.
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