The practice of herbal medicine is the promotion, maintenance and restoration of an individual’s health primarily through the internal and external use of plant-based medicines. Whole plants or parts thereof may be harvested and processed by the herbalist. Herbal medicines are dispensed in pharmacopeial and other forms, prepared through simple traditional methods in order to retain the naturally-balanced properties of the plant. The use of other natural health products may also be recommended. The therapeutic requirements for each person are assessed in a manner consistent with the tradition and training of the individual herbalist. Methods of assessment may include but are not limited to case history, physical examinations and the review of diagnostic test results. Relevant issues including nutrition, exercise, hygiene, environment and stress-management are addressed throughout the consultation process.

Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used systems of healing in the world and one of the four main modalities within the framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is a powerful, effective, and safe, drug-free therapy that addresses the root cause of illness and disease as well as the symptoms. When there is a blockage or imbalance of Qi (energy) in the body, pain or illness occurs. At VedaLift, our Registered Acupuncturist regulates the flow of Qi by using thin, sterile needles inserted superficially into specific areas of the body in order to stimulate the body’s own healing mechanism and restore balance.

Acupuncture can be used to treat a broad range of conditions such as:

Acute or chronic pain, injuries
Digestive issues
Headaches/migraines
Stress, anxiety and depression
Insomnia
Arthritis
Women’s health, and fertility
IVF treatment support
Pre-and post-natal care
Men’s health
Dermatological conditions
Allergies, Asthma
Hypertension
Sciatica
Low immunity and chronic fatigue
Post-surgical pain
…and much more

During an acupuncture treatment our Registered Acupuncturist at VedaLift may use additional techniques such as Cupping therapy, Chinese massage (Tui Na) and Moxibustion (heat therapy) to address each individual’s unique needs.
Acupuncture services offered by Dr. Wendy Smith R.Ac and Brooke Ainey RMT
Dr. Wendy Smith is Registered with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario, under the Regulated Health Professions Act.
Brooke Ainey is Registered with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario.
Insurance receipts are provided at each treatment.

Dr. Wendy Smith combines her diverse skills and background to provide personalized care for her patients. She is trained in various Chiropractic techniques from very gentle (cranial-sacral, matrix repatterning) to more aggressive (diversified) and integrates soft tissue therapies, physiotherapy modalities, acupuncture, brain training, and other therapeutic exercises into her practice. Dr. Wendy enjoys working in a team that honours the mind, body and spirit of the individual, and she will refer to other practitioners for her patient’s benefit.

Registered Massage therapy helps to maintain proper health and well-being. It is calming, healing, and relaxing. Increasing the level of oxygen and nutrients in the blood, improving circulation, decreasing muscle toxins, enhancing flexibility, and easing tension are among the benefits received from massage therapy. All treatments are performed by a Registered Massage Therapist. Their focus is on customizing treatment based on each individual’s personal needs with a strong emphasis on holistic healing and wellness. It is used to treat everything from headaches and stress to sports injuries and back pain, muscle spasm, scar tissue reduction, tendonitis, fibromalgia, and everything in between. Techniques used may include deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, trigger point therapy, stress management treatment, therapeutic massage, and sport massage.

Prenatal and Postnatal Massage – Specialized massage techniques help moms-to-be deal with the rapid physical changes during pregnancy. Regular massage therapy helps to promote a safe and healthy delivery by increasing relaxation and alleviating the tension, aches and pains associated with these physical changes. We can also help after the baby is born with a baby massage session that teaches parents the fundamentals of infant massage. Relaxation, relief, stimulation and interaction are the main benefits of infant massage.

It seeks to find and treat the physical impediments (primarily) that prevent an individual’s body from being, feeling, and functioning at its optimal level. The assessment of the patient is like detective work, while the treatment is surprisingly gentle. Only the hands of the practitioner are used in the assessment and treatment. Osteopathy is unlike chiropractic treatment, massage therapy, or physiotherapy. It is best understood by experiencing it, as the sensation is unique and thus not comparable to other well-known therapies.

Osteopathic philosophy recognizes that a person’s symptoms (other than in cases of acute trauma) take a long time to develop. A number of complex interacting reasons, such as previous accidents or injuries, falls, surgeries, illnesses, pregnancies, or even major dental work, may be preventing the person from improving as rapidly as they anticipated. Poor posture and undue stress can also contribute to the state of the condition. By combining the patient’s history with the use of the hands in detecting areas of diminished mobility, the osteopathic assessment focuses on finding the cause of the symptoms, however remote, from the person’s area of complaint. The treatment attempts to allow the body to help normalize any areas of dysfunction. Thus, it is actually the patient who heals themselves; the practitioner’s role is to help to initiate the process.

"A commonly asked question is whether osteopaths do cranial sacral work. Not only do osteopaths do cranial sacral work, but it was an osteopath who developed the concept! Osteopaths have been practicing, teaching, and using cranial osteopathy since the 1940s. It should be noted that cranial is but one of the many approaches used by the osteopaths. Other approaches include musculoskeletal normalizations, connective tissue release, visceral work, and restorative exercise. Together, these treatment modalities are used to assist the patient to return to his or her ultimate level of health and well-being.” written by Jane Eliza Stark MS,D.O.M.P.