Acupuncture
Experience holistic healing.Acupuncture & TCM
We’re pleased to offer acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) services at Academy Massage Therapy, led by our two experienced and compassionate TCM practitioners, Dr. Wei Zou and Michaud Desilets.
Our TCM practitioners take a well-rounded approach to health and healing. Rather than focusing only on symptoms like chronic pain and disease, they work to understand and treat the root cause of your concerns. Along with acupuncture, they offer a range of therapeutic TCM treatments, including acupressure, cupping, and more.
Both are currently accepting new clients, with flexible appointment times available during the day, evening, and weekends. To get started, book your initial consultation online or give us a call at 204.489.5050. We recommend all clients begin with an initial consult to explore treatment goals and determine the most effective course of care.
You can learn more about Dr. Wei and Michaud in their bios below ↓
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After your initial consult, treatments are typically 45-60 minutes.
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Your initial consult and first acupuncture treatment will be $100, with subsequent treatments priced at $100 for 60 minutes and $85 for 45 minutes.
Treatments may also include aspects of acupressure, cupping and acupotomy. -
Everyone can benefit from the relaxing and balancing effects of this holistic treatment, but there are a variety of medical conditions and health concerns that can be treated through acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Read more about what can be treated through acupuncture and TCM treatments below.
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Your initial consultation and treatment will typically be around 60 minutes, and subsequent treatments around 45-60 minutes depending on your needs. Initial consults can be booked online or over the phone.
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Please wear loose clothing that can easily be rolled up to your appointment, as you will often need to expose your neck, stomach, knees, ankles, etc. There will be shorts available at the clinic when needed.
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Acupuncture is covered by many insurance companies. You’ll often find your available coverage balance (eg. $800 a year) for massage therapy is also applied to acupuncture.
We offer direct billing to the same providers we’ve partnered with for massage therapy coverage. Please ensure that your insurance coverage is on file and up to date with us prior to your initial treatment. We do recommend that you process payment prior to your treatment.
For more information on direct billing and our supported providers click here.
What Can Be Treated Through Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a relaxing and safe treatment that everyone should experience! You may find acupuncture is beneficial to your mental and physical health simply through the endorphins, or “feel-good” chemicals, that are released during your treatment. It can help ease pain and stiffness, reduce anxiety, and even improve your quality of sleep.
Acupuncture is used to relieve pain and symptoms associated with a variety of diseases and health conditions, including:
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Back and Knee Pain•Low Back Pain•“Frozen Shoulder”•Sciatica•Osteoarthritis•Carpal Tunnel Syndrome•Fibromyalgia•Chronic Fatigue•Sports Injuries & Pains•Arthritis
Reproductive & Gynaecological Conditions
Hormone imbalance•Premenstrual Syndrome•Cramps•Menopause•PCOS•Spotting and Excessive Bleeding• Amenorrhea• Impotence• Infertility•Fertility Concerns•Incontinence•Prostatis
Mental Health Symptoms & Conditions
Stress•Anxiety•Depression•PTSD•Insomnia•TMJ/TMD•Chronic Fatigue
Neurologic Disorders
Stroke•Headaches and Migraines•Trigeminal Neuralgias•Facial Palsy (Bell Palsy)•Peripheral Neuropathies• Meniere’s Disease•
Bladder Dysfunction•Enuresis
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Spasms of esophagus•Grstaoptosis•Acute and Chronic Gastritis•Gastric Hyperacidity•Ulcers•Acute and Chronic Colitis•GERD•Crohn’s Disease
Respiratory System
Acute Bronchitis• Bronchial Asthma
Mouth Disorders
Toothache•Post Extraction Pain•Acute and Chronic Pharyngitis
Meet Dr. Wei Zou
Doctor of Chinese Medicine
Meet Dr. Wei Zou, our skilled acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner. Also known as Dr. Ac. Wayne Zou, he brings a wealth of experience to Academy Massage Therapy, with a decade of medical expertise gained while practicing as a physician in China.
Dr. Zou worked as a physician in China for 10 years. He graduated from the Norman Bethune Health Science Center of Jilin University, where he studied both modern Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine for five years, followed by three additional years to earn a master’s degree in Clinical Hematology.
In Canada, he has practiced as a TCM Doctor, Acupuncturist, Herbalist, and Acupressure Therapist for the past five years. His services include acupuncture, acupressure, herbal remedies, and specialized treatments like cupping, blood letting therapy, and dragon-fire therapy.
Dr. Zou is well-equipped to address a wide range of symptoms and health concerns, including anxiety, arthritis, chronic pain, depression, insomnia, migraines, digestive problems, stress, infertility, addiction, and weight management. With his extensive background, he has become an expert in diagnosing and treating a variety of conditions — from hematologic diseases and autoimmune disorders to oncological issues and common health imbalances such as pain and sleep disturbances.
We’re proud to offer Dr. Zou’s expertise at Academy Massage Therapy. He looks forward to providing you with comprehensive, effective, and personalized care tailored to your unique needs. Book your initial consult with Dr. Zou.
Meet Michaud Desilets
Acupuncturist & TCM Practitioner
Meet Michaud Desilets, the newest addition to our team of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners. Michaud brings 15 years of experience in acupuncture and East Asian healing practices to Academy Massage Therapy.
Michaud was first drawn to this work through his own healing, and it grew into a way of offering that same healing to others. Today, he takes a whole-person approach to care. Rather than focusing on symptoms alone, he works to understand your unique health history and current situation, addressing both symptom relief and the underlying conditions behind them. His goal is to help bring your body and mind into balance and support your natural capacity to heal.
His services include acupuncture, acupressure (including Shiatsu and Tui Na), cupping, fire cupping, and herbal prescriptions. Clients can expect a style that blends deeper pressure through Shiatsu with the tension-relieving techniques of Tui Na. He also offers pre and postnatal care.
Michaud works with a wide range of health concerns, including pain and injuries, back pain, chronic pain and inflammatory conditions, headaches, digestive issues, women’s health, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, and weakness. He also believes lifestyle and diet make all the difference, and often looks at these as part of your overall care.
Outside the clinic, Michaud practices Chen Style Tai Chi under the guidance of his teacher, Shao Lei. When he’s looking for a bite to eat in Winnipeg, you’ll likely find him at Tall Grass Prairie.
We’re proud to welcome Michaud to our team. If you’re looking for thoughtful, whole-person care rooted in traditional East Asian medicine, book an initial consultation with Michaud at Academy Massage Therapy.
ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
What To Expect
Acupuncturists believe that certain medical conditions result from a blockage or imbalance in the natural flow of your energy channels, called “Qi”. They work to release, unblock and thereby restore your natural Qi via your body’s pressure points. Acupuncture does this by stimulating homeostasis, which serves as your body’s internal regulation and checks and balances system.
After learning about your lifestyle, medical history, previous treatments, and any applicable symptoms, our resident acupuncturist will insert thin needles into these acupuncture points, which will stimulate your body’s central nervous system and release certain chemicals in your muscles, spinal cord, and brain. Other chemicals and hormones are released in the body as a result, which can help to improve pain and other medical complaints.
After the needles have been carefully inserted, you will be left in a comfortable position with soothing music playing, so you can tune out and enjoy the relaxing sensation and endorphin release that is acupuncture. Some clients will find they fall asleep during their treatment, or experience a feeling of floating alongside a tingling or warming sensation. Other sensations that may be felt are heaviness, heat and cold — it is unique to the individual. As energy is redirected in the body, internal chemicals and hormones are re-balanced and stimulated, and healing begins to take place. Depending on your treatment, you may find you leave the clinic feeling energized and energetic, or you may leave feeling relaxed in a zen like state.
We recommend that you wear loose clothing, and process payment or insurance needs prior to your appointment.