Acupuncture for Endometriosis: Natural Relief for Pain and Balance
by Anna Totzke, Registered Acupuncturist
Endometriosis can be a challenging condition. Many people experience ongoing pelvic pain, painful periods, fatigue, and other symptoms that can affect daily life. While medical treatments such as hormone therapy or surgery can help, they don’t always bring full relief — and that’s where acupuncture can play an important complementary role.
A growing body of research, including a 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis, has shown that acupuncture may significantly reduce pain and improve quality of life for people living with endometriosis.
What the Research Says
Recent studies have found that acupuncture can help ease pelvic pain and menstrual cramps in women with endometriosis.
Researchers reviewed several clinical trials where participants received acupuncture treatments over a number of weeks. The results were promising — most women experienced less pain and improved comfort during their menstrual cycles compared to those who didn’t receive acupuncture.
Importantly, these studies also found that acupuncture is safe and well tolerated, with very few side effects.
How Acupuncture May Help
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views endometriosis as an imbalance involving stagnation of Qi and blood. Acupuncture works by helping energy and circulation move more freely through the body — easing pain, calming inflammation, and supporting hormonal balance.
From a modern perspective, acupuncture may help by:
• Reducing pain signals through the release of natural endorphins
• Calming inflammation and supporting immune balance
• Improving pelvic blood flow, which can ease cramping and tension
• Supporting stress relief and overall emotional well-being
Together, these effects can help the body find more balance — something many people with endometriosis deeply need.
What to Expect
At Touchstone Health, acupuncture treatments are tailored to your individual needs.
Most people notice improvements after several sessions, though lasting changes often develop over a few months of consistent care.
During your session, you’ll rest comfortably while fine, sterile needles are placed at specific points that help regulate hormones, circulation, and the nervous system. Many patients describe the experience as deeply relaxing.
Relax Your Face, Renew Your Energy: The Healing Power of Acupuncture and Facial Cupping
by Anna Totzke, Registered Acupuncturist
Many people today experience jaw pain, teeth grinding, or facial tension without realizing how much stress they’re holding in their face. Over time, this tension can lead to discomfort, headaches, or even TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers gentle, natural solutions through acupuncture, facial cupping, and massage helping release tight muscles, calm the nervous system, and restore inner balance.
Understanding Jaw Pain and Facial Tension Through the Lens of TCM
In TCM, pain or tightness in the body often signals that the proper energy and Blood are not flowing smoothly. When this flow becomes blocked, muscles tighten, circulation decreases, and pain develops.
Common causes of facial tension and TMJ discomfort include:
- Chronic stress and emotional holding, which lead to jaw clenching or grinding.
- Digestive weakness or fatigue, affecting how well muscles and tissues are nourished.
- Poor posture or neck strain, which can restrict energy flow to the face and jaw.
- Environmental factors, such as exposure to wind or cold, that contribute to stiffness.
Rather than treating only the local pain, acupuncture and facial cupping work on both the root cause and the manifestation of tension—bringing the whole body back into harmony.
Acupuncture for Jaw Pain and TMJ Relief
Acupuncture for jaw pain is one of the most effective natural ways to reduce tension and inflammation in the facial muscles. By stimulating specific points along the body’s meridians, acupuncture helps:
- Relax tight jaw muscles and improve mobility.
- Calm the nervous system, reducing the urge to clench or grind.
- Increase local circulation, which speeds healing and eases pain.
- Relieve stress and emotional tension that often underlie TMJ issues.
Many patients notice that their face feels softer and more open after treatment, with a greater sense of ease throughout the body.
The Benefits of Facial Cupping Therapy
Facial cupping is a gentle, restorative therapy that perfectly complements acupuncture. Using small, soft cups, your practitioner applies light suction along the jaw, cheeks, and temples. This technique creates space in the tissues, improves blood flow, and releases deeply held tension—without leaving marks or bruising.
Key Benefits of Facial Cupping
- Relieves jaw and facial tension.
- Encourages lymphatic drainage, reducing puffiness.
- Enhances circulation and collagen production for a healthy glow.
- Promotes deep relaxation and stress relief.
Clients often describe the experience as a warm, gentle facial massage that not only eases pain but also leaves the skin more radiant and refreshed.
Why Combine Acupuncture and Facial Cupping?
Together, acupuncture and facial cupping create a deeply holistic treatment for TMJ and facial tightness:
- Acupuncture addresses internal imbalances—calming the stress response and restoring energy flow.
- Facial cupping releases external tension—loosening tight muscles and promoting circulation.
This combination supports both the physical and emotional aspects of jaw pain, making it one of the most effective natural treatments for chronic facial tension.
What to Expect During a Session
A typical session begins with a brief consultation to assess your symptoms and stress patterns. Acupuncture is performed first to calm the body, followed by facial cupping to gently lift and release the tissues.
Most clients leave feeling deeply relaxed, with noticeably lighter facial muscles and calmness. Regular sessions can help retrain the body to release tension naturally, providing lasting TMJ and jaw pain relief.
Debunking 7 Myths of Psychotherapy
By Swapna Viswanathan, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
“I do not need therapy, I am not crazy,” and “I can just talk to my friend.”
How often have we heard these sentences? They are all too familiar, and it is particularly disheartening when they come from a loved one during a conversation in a hospital waiting room. This conversation brought out insights into several myths regarding Psychotherapy, which became a barrier to seeking support and prolonged suffering in many individuals.
You do not have to face difficult times alone; therapy can provide the support, healing, safe space, coping strategies, and exploration of root causes of behaviour and thought patterns, as well as the validation you need from a professional.
Seven Common Myths About Psychotherapy:
Myth 1: Psychotherapy is “just like talking to a friend”
Reality: Psychotherapists are highly trained professionals with specialized knowledge to support you in your healing. They create a safe space, remain non-judgmental, uphold confidentiality, remain neutral, employ specific interventions and assessments as needed, engage in continuous learning, acknowledge their own human biases, and provide unbiased therapy. They compartmentalize their emotions to provide the best therapeutic relationship and safe space for the client to process, feel validated, and heal.
Myth 2: Psychotherapy can fix the situation quickly
Reality: Psychotherapy or a psychotherapist does not provide solutions magically. It is a process that requires commitment and dedication from the individual. It is not a quick fix, and it might take a few or more therapy sessions to work on complex trauma, explore the root causes change thought and behaviour patterns significantly, and work on coping mechanisms.
Myth 3: Therapy is for “crazy” people
Reality: Psychotherapy or therapy is for anyone who is going through life stressors, such as work-related stress, relationship issues, situational challenges like a sudden loss or a significant life transition, trauma response, grief and loss, life transitions, psychological, emotional and mental health challenges. It is not only for those individuals with complex psychological challenges. At times, we as human beings go through difficult phases in life and need someone to provide a non-judgmental, safe space, offering validation, motivation, insights and empathy.
Myth 4: Therapy means “just venting out for 50 minutes to someone who listens”
Reality: Therapy is not just about venting out; it’s a collaborative process in which the individual actively works with their therapist to achieve their goals. Through meaningful conversations, therapists help individuals solve problems, explore the reasons behind behavioural patterns, and ask strategic questions that lead to insights, enabling them to find solutions to their problems on their own. Homework given after the therapy session is carefully tailored to each
individual’s specific needs, encouraging their active participation in the healing process.
Myth 5: “All the therapy modalities are the same and so are the therapists.”
Reality: Psychotherapy encompasses various therapy modalities, each with its unique approach and techniques. Based on the unique needs of the individual, their therapist selects specific modalities for their treatment plan. For instance, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps change their negative thought patterns and behaviours; Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) helps individuals manage emotional distress, interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness; Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) is effective for complex trauma as well as anxiety disorders, dissociative disorders, eating disorders, depression, sleep problems, personality disorders, pain, and stress-induced physical disorders by processing the individual’s unprocessed distressed memories; Narrative Therapy throws light upon the stories we tell about ourselves; Gottman’s Method is designed for couples counselling; Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is goal-oriented; Internal Family Systems explores the different parts of the self.
Myth 6: Therapists only blame childhood trauma, parents and environment.
Reality: We explore childhood experiences and family dynamics to understand the root cause of the trauma or attachment style, and more, but blaming does not help to find solutions. Therapy can be helpful to understand how an individual can break their intergenerational trauma and develop new pathways to express.
Myth 7: “Therapy is expensive”
Reality: Therapy can be expensive, but there are also affordable options available. If you have work-related insurance, you can check if it covers the costs of psychotherapy. You can discuss with your therapist whether they have availability for pro-bono or sliding-scale fee clients. ‘Sliding scale availability’ refers to a system where the therapist adjusts their fees based on the client’s income, making therapy more affordable for those with lower incomes. Psychotherapists sometimes have sliding scale availability. You can also look for a student intern therapist
practicing under supervision who can provide therapy for low fees.
Psychotherapy can be helpful for many individuals. You can book a free 15-minute consultation with Swapna Viswathan, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) to gauge if it is a good fit.
The Benefits of Baby Massage
Massage therapy can be very helpful for babies, and many parents find it a great way to bond with their child. Research shows that gentle touch, like massage, can help babes feel calm and connected to their caregivers. Working with a Registered Massage Therapist can provide extra teaching and support, which can be particularly helpful if a baby is facing specific challenges like torticollis (tight, short neck muscles), plagiocephaly (flat spots on head), feeding issues, sleep problems, or digestive discomfort.
For babies with torticollis, an RMT can use gentle techniques to help relax tight neck muscles and encourage a greater range of motion. This can make it easier for the baby to turn their head both ways. This may aid in improving head shape and reduce or prevent plagiocephaly. An RMT can also guide parents in stretching and positioning to use at home to support progress.
When a baby has tight muscles in their face, jaw or neck, it can affect how well they latch or suck. Massage therapy can be effective in gently working these areas to reduce tension, which may improve feeding and make it a more comfortable experience for both baby and parent.
Sleep and digestion can also be positively impacted by massage therapy. Regular massage increases relaxation and lowers stress hormones, allowing sleep to come more easily and soundly. When it comes to digestion, we know that relaxation is important, but there are also specific treatments aimed at reducing symptoms of gas and constipation that can give very effective relief.
Overall, massage therapy is a gentle and natural way to support a baby’s development and comfort. Whether you would like your baby to be seen for a specific issue, or you would just like to learn how to incorporate massage as part of your caregiving at home, working with an RMT will ensure the techniques are safe and effective. Touch Stone Health offers this treatment option.
If interested, please choose “Baby Massage” when booking with Maggie Seegmiller, RMT.
Psychotherapy now available at TouchStone Health!
Swapna Viswanathan, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) is now offering appointments at TouchStone Health.
Swapna’s approach to therapy is trauma informed, and integrates different therapy modalities based on each individual’s unique needs to ensure active participation in their healing process. All session conversations are confidential and non-judgmental, providing a safe space to share and heal.
HOW PSYCHOTHERAPY CAN HELP:
- Finding clarity
- Learn coping skills
- Increasing resilience
- Improving sleep
- Increased self-awareness
- Create a new narrative for life
- Improved overall wellbeing
- Enhance emotional regulation
- Validation and empathetic support
- Strengthens relationship with self and others
- Reduced symptoms of mental health conditions
- Helps children express their big emotions and fears
- Changing thought processes and behavioural patterns
- Process emotions, feelings and traumatic experiences
If you’re ready to take the next step, please book a 15 minute FREE consultation or contact Swapna for more information.
564-572 Weber Street North, Unit 3A Waterloo, Ontario N2L5C6
