Holistic Acupuncture Care for a Healthier, Happier You.
Meet Dr. Tamara Kuss
Hi, I’m Dr. Tamara Kuss, a licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and NAET practitioner. My passion for alternative medicine comes from a deep desire to help patients in a holistic and natural way. I create personalized treatment plans for each of my patients because I believe true healing happens when the body and mind are in balance.
Have questions, free feel to send me a message!
Understanding Acupuncture:
Gentle Techniques for Relaxation and HealingThe first things that come to peoples’ minds when they hear the word acupuncture are “needles” and “pain”. Yes, acupuncture mostly uses needles, although there are are other techniques that are part of acupuncture that do not use needles such as cupping. The needles used by acupuncturists are very small and thin - not much thicker than your hair. The technique I use makes the procedure almost or completely painless. Some people may feel a little “mosquito bite” when the needle goes in, but after that, the procedure is quite comfortable. Quite a few people actually fall asleep during their treatment because they are so relaxed!
Acupuncture and How It Can Help You
How does acupuncture work?
We have energy pathways running through our body that connect the surface of the body right down to the muscles and the organs. The energy in these pathways must be flowing properly for the body to be balanced and free of symptoms. If the energy is blocked, in excess, deficient or flowing in the wrong direction, your body will show symptoms. For example, if energy is blocked in a certain area after an injury, it will cause pain. Or, energy flowing the wrong direction to the lungs can cause coughing. By gently inserting a few needles just into the shallow surface of the body at specific points, we can unblock or change the flow of energy and stop the symptoms.
Will acupuncture help me?
Because acupuncture can influence so many areas of the body, it can be used for a number of different conditions and can either eliminate or greatly reduce your symptoms. Acupuncture is great for any pain - headaches/migraines, stomach aches, painful joints, sciatica, tennis elbow, back/shoulder/neck pain to name a few. But, acupuncture can be used for so much more than just pain - menstrual problems, infertility, poor circulation, respiratory conditions (colds, cough, asthma, bronchitis), digestive problems (diarrhea, constipation, Crohn’s, colitis, nausea), urinary problems, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and even just overall stress. The list is extensive, so if you are not sure, it doesn’t hurt to email me and ask.
What if I am terrified of needles, but would like to try something alternative for my condition?
There are a few other techniques that acupuncturists use that may help you. Gua sha is a technique that uses a press stroking on the skin to raise redness - almost like a big hickey. Blood is drawn to the surface (painlessly) and when the body starts reabsorbing the cells, certain compounds are activated. These compounds have anti-inflammatory properties, so this method very effective in reducing pain and inflammation, not only for muscles but internal disorders too (like fatty liver, active chronic Hepatitis B, asthma and emphysema). Cupping is similar to Gua ha but uses suction cups to raise the redness on the skin.
Can children have acupuncture?
Absolutely yes! There is also a technique called Shonishin that can be used on children (especially any age under 6) that does not use needles. It involves gently tapping or stroking along energy pathways to regulate the energy flow.
FAQ About Acupuncture
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Acupuncture should not hurt. It is normal to sometimes feel heaviness, aching or tingling around the site of the needle insertion. In general, most people find acupuncture very relaxing.
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It is law in British Columbia that all acupuncture needles be sterilized, single use needles. That means the needles are sterile, only used once and then disposed of. This prevents any spread of infections and ensures that every needle is clean and safe to use.
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Usually the needles are inserted to a depth of 1/4 to 1 inch. Depth depends on the size of the person, the site, and the nature of the problem.
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20-30 minutes is the optimal time for needles to stay in place and for the the meridians to experience flow and rebalance.
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Your first visit will include a full Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment where you are asked a number of questions about your health. Your tongue will be observed and your pulse taken: these are two very important diagnostic techniques in Chinese medicine to determine certain aspects of your health. This takes approximately half an hour. The rest of the time is spent getting your treatment.
Expect to spend about 1 1/2 hours for your first session and 1 hour for subsequent sessions.
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This depends on the condition being treated. If your condition is fairly new and short-lasting, you may only need one or two treatments. However, if it is a chronic condition you have had for a long time, you may require 5 to 15 treatments. Some very chronic conditions will require many treatments.
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Dr. Tamara Kuss is a Registered Acupuncturist and Doctor of Chinese Medicine. One must attend an accredited college and pass a very stringent government exam to practice in British Columbia .
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Please check with your insurance provider.
Tamara is a registered Acupuncturist in British Columbia and can direct bill to the following insurers: Pacific Blue Cross, Chamber of Commerce, Canada Life, Equitable Life, Industrial Alliance, Johnson Inc, and Manulife.
Acupuncture may be claimed as a medical expense on your income tax returns. Please check with Canada Revenue Agency or an accountant for further details.
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Acupuncture - Initial Assessment 60 mins $130
Acupuncture - Follow-up Appointment 60 mins $95
Acupuncture and NAET combo session 60 mins $145
NAET Allergy Elimination:
A Holistic Approach to Reversing AllergiesNAET, or Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique, is a safe, non-invasive, and holistic approach to reversing the body’s allergic responses. Developed by Dr. Devi Nambudripad, a licensed Medical Doctor, Acupuncturist, Chiropractor, and PhD in Acupuncture, NAET combines the principles of Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Kinesiology, and Acupressure in a unique way to eliminate allergies.
At the core of this technique is the belief that energy, or “qi,” flows through pathways or meridians in our body, helping to keep our organs functioning properly. When these energy pathways become disrupted due to factors like fatigue, imbalanced diet, or emotional or physical trauma, allergies can be triggered. NAET works to restore the flow of energy, allowing the body to regain balance and eliminate allergic reactions.
Understanding Allergies, Energy, and How We Identify Blockages
What is An Allergy?
An allergy is defined as “ a damaging immune response by the body to a substance”. An allergy or sensitivity usually targets the weakest area in our body. For instance, for a person with asthma, the weakest link is the lungs. An allergy is associated with a histamine response. Symptoms of a histamine response include hives, rashes, itching, breathing issues and in it’s most severe form, an anaphylactic response.
Allergies can produce a weakening of the immune system and also contribute to our mental health, in some cases causing anxiety, contributing to depression, insomnia.
What is Energy?
Energy is defined as “the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity”. Energy is measured in medicine; ECGs measure the electrical activity of the heart to see if it is working properly and we can measure electrical energy of the brain (brainwaves) to look for problems. Our nervous system is like a big electrical system that is sending signals to the brain to our muscles and organs. Then there are the chemical energies of the hormones. The word “energy” should not seem too foreign when you can see it works in both worlds of medicine - both Eastern and Western.
We also know that everything else in the world has energy: the food we eat, the pollens, animals, and so on. We don’t necessarily see this energy – the same way we cannot see the wave particles that hit our eye when we know we are looking at something blue or green. Those energies can affect the energy in our body and how it functions. They can block our own energy and cause dysfunction in the body. This is really what we are checking and fixing.
How do we check for those energy blockages?
If energy gets blocked in your body, it will also block energy to the muscles, and they will weaken. I do something called muscle testing where I expose you to the energy of the item and then check the strength of a muscle by pushing on it. You will be able to tell the difference between a strong muscle (no energy blockage) and a weak muscle (your energy is being blocked).
Unblocking the energy involves a very gentle technique of acupressure on specific acupuncture points in the body that help unblock the energy flow. This is also based on acupuncture theory: when we insert a needle into an acupuncture point on an energy pathway, we say we are opening a gate and allowing energy to flow freely, that is, we are unblocking the blocked energy flow.
The goal of doing all of this is stop your symptoms from happening. For example, I have treated many people who have had severe digestive symptoms from ingesting dairy – stomach pain, cramps and diarrhea. By doing this technique and clearing the energy blockages that milk or other dairy products cause in their bodies, these people can actually have dairy products without any symptoms, and very often that lasts, so they do not experience those symptoms again!
FAQ About NAET
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Allergy Elimination works by removing energy blockages in the body. These energy blockages affect the function of the organs and the immune system, causing your reactions. By removing these blockages, we remove your reactions and the body starts healing.
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Expect to be here about an hour for the first session, and 1/2 hour for subsequent sessions.
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The number of treatments depends on a few factors: how many allergies you would like to clear, as well as how many of the 10 basics you were weak/ imbalanced to. It is important to clear the basics first because those usually represent underlying imbalances that perhaps contribute to your current allergies. Some clients only require 2-3 treatments, while other, more chronic or severe cases do require up to 15 treatments.
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Allergy Elimination is a series of treatments. People often come once per week, but it is up to you and depends on how quickly you would like to deal with your allergies. If for some reason you take a break from treatments, we just pick up where you left off. You do not need to start over.
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Some patients report feeling energized after a treatment, while some feel very tired. I always suggest to keep hydrated because your body is going through a detox reaction. When working with emotions or the nervous system, a person may feel very mellow, calm, or have an emotional response.
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Most patients will begin to see improvements after a few treatments. Occasionally, people will start to see improvement after the very first treatment. Be patient. Often you have been suffering from this condition for years, so it will take time for the body to readjust to its new balance.
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Allergy Elimination Therapy does not interfere with any medications or treatments. However, as the body heals, you may want to adjust other treatments or medications. You must always work with your other health care providers when making any changes to your medications or care.
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Allergy Elimination treatments are almost always permanent. Once you clear an allergy, it is expected that you will remain clear in the future. Things that may reset your treatments include physical or emotional trauma, or pregnancy and childbirth.
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We can treat any age, from newborns upward.
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NAET does not require the use of needles. For children and others who prefer acupressure, I use an activator to stimulate certain acupuncture points, called gate points, to supplement the treatment and to keep the channels and pathways open. It is also a good idea to do these at home, especially when symptoms arise.
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Please check with your insurance provider. If you have private insurance that covers acupuncture, you can use this toward the cost of your treatments.
Tamara is a registered Acupuncturist in British Columbia and can direct bill to the following insurers: Pacific Blue Cross, Chamber of Commerce, Canada Life, Equitable Life, Industrial Alliance, Johnson Inc, and Manulife.
Acupuncture may be claimed as a medical expense on your income tax returns. Please check with Canada Revenue Agency or an accountant for further details.
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NAET - Initial Assessment 60 mins $130
NAET - Follow-up Appointment 30 mins $80
NAET and Acupuncture combo treatment 60 mins $145
"Tamara is a gentle and empathetic practitioner. She has an intuitive approach and is good at explaining what she is doing and why. I enjoy my appointments with her and find it’s helping me to better manage my chronic pain condition."
— Diana