MĀ Wellness
Acupuncture Victoria, BC
The Benefits of Acupuncture for Your Health
MĀ Wellness
Acupuncture
Victoria, BC
Traditional Chinese Medicine in a heritage clinic above Dragon Alley in Victoria's Chinatown — five registered acupuncturists, full-scope TCM, direct billing available.
Book a SessionHolistic Healing
2,500 years of refining the art of healing
Acupuncture works with the energy systems of the body — meridians and qi — to restore balance, ease pain, and resolve patterns the body has been carrying for too long. It's a drug-free, non-invasive therapy that draws on the body's own ability to heal itself.
At MĀ Wellness, our licensed acupuncturists practice the full scope of Traditional Chinese Medicine: acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, gua sha, and herbal medicine — tailored to each person's history, constitution, and goals.
Whether you're seeking relief from pain, anxiety, sleep issues, digestive imbalance, or fertility support, we're here to walk that path with you.
Our Approach
Qi, meridians, and the rivers within
Picture your body as a network of rivers — interconnected pathways carrying qi, the life force vital to health. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, these are called meridians.
When pain, illness, or imbalance arises, it often signals that qi has been disrupted — blocked, deficient, or excessive. Like a river overflowing or running dry, this affects everything downstream. Acupuncture's small, precisely placed needles act as signposts, guiding qi back to its natural flow.
This ancient understanding is increasingly supported by modern research, which shows acupuncture activates the body's nervous, muscular, fascial, and immune systems — a remarkable convergence of tradition and science.
What Acupuncture Helps With
More than pain relief
Acupuncture addresses a wide range of conditions by working with the body's deeper currents.
Pain & Musculoskeletal
Chronic back pain, arthritis, sciatica, sports injuries, and migraines. Learn more
Anxiety & Mental Health
Stress, anxiety, depression, and nervous system dysregulation. Learn more
Fertility & Reproductive
Hormonal balance, IVF support, and menstrual irregularities. Learn more
Sleep & Insomnia
Difficulty falling or staying asleep, restless nights, fatigue and exhaustion.
Digestive Health
IBS, bloating, indigestion, gut imbalances, and constipation relief.
Circulation & Lymphatic
Edema, lymphedema, poor circulation, immune support, and cold extremities.
Treatment Modalities
The full scope of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Each session draws from the modality (or modalities) best suited to what your body is asking for.
Moxibustion
Warming the body, strengthening the organs
Moxibustion uses the controlled burning of dried mugwort near acupuncture points to warm the meridians, expel cold, and strengthen the immune system. It's a deeply soothing complement to needling — particularly effective for chronic deficiency patterns, digestive cold, and recovery from depletion.
Cupping
Chinese cupping for circulation and tension
Chinese cupping therapy is an ancient form of deep-tissue work that uses suction to treat pain and inflammation, assist with blood flow, and bring on a deep sense of relaxation. The signature circular marks are temporary and fade within days — a sign of stagnation lifting.
Gua Sha
Scraping therapy for tension and flow
Gua sha is a traditional East Asian technique that uses smooth-edged tools to gently scrape the skin, releasing muscular tension, improving circulation, and supporting lymphatic drainage. It's particularly helpful for stubborn neck and shoulder tension and chronic muscle pain.
Herbal Medicine
Ancient formulas, individually crafted
Chinese herbal medicine draws on thousands of years of refined formulas — combinations of roots, barks, flowers, and minerals tailored to the individual. Our practitioners craft custom remedies to gently remind the body of its innate healing capacity, complementing acupuncture treatment between sessions.
Pricing
Single Treatments
Your First Visit
$158
Initial Consultation
60 Minutes
$126
Acupuncture Session
60 Minutes
$147
Acupuncture + Herbal Medicine
*Herbs sold separately. Direct billing available for most insurance providers.
Our Practitioners
Meet the team
Five registered acupuncturists, each with their own specialties, training, and lineage.
Katyanna Ryan
R.Ac · She/Her
Taoist lens · Musculoskeletal · Sleep · 15+ years movement.
Katyanna studied acupuncture and herbal medicine at Pacific Rim College, earning her diploma in 2017. The lens of Taoism has changed the way she looks at the world, and she finds it fascinating to see disharmony displayed in such a dynamic map.
Specialties
Musculoskeletal injuries, sleep disorders, stress management, and digestive health. Her approach combines traditional medicine with contemporary practices for both physical and mental well-being.
Movement & Healing
Leveraging her 15-year background in movement practices, Katyanna guides patients in remapping their movement patterns, leading to more profound and sustainable healing — especially effective for chronic pain, mobility, and overall quality of life.
Sarah Dunn
R.Ac · She/Her
Internal medicine · Herbal formulas · Digestive & gynecological health.
Sarah is a dedicated practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine who embraces holistic healthcare with humility. Her journey includes extensive clinical experience volunteering with the Acupuncture Relief Project in Nepal, treating 12–20 patients daily.
Education
Her diploma from Pacific Rim College in 2022 encompasses 2,200+ hours of comprehensive studies in acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, and biomedicine, with 700+ hours of clinical practice.
Specialties
Internal medicine, digestive health, musculoskeletal conditions, and gynecological issues. Drawing on ancient Chinese herbal formulas, Sarah crafts unique remedies that gently remind the body of its innate healing abilities. Her modest, compassionate approach extends to emotional well-being and stress management.
Mariko Ibaraki
R.Ac · DTCM · She/Her
Energetics · Eastern philosophy · Personalized story-based care.
Mariko first approached Chinese Medicine with a passion for learning and a deep curiosity of energetics. Since then, she has been intrigued, moved, and shaped by the profound wisdom of Eastern philosophy, continually fascinated by its application to human physiology.
Approach
She enjoys finding connections within clients' stories that can help them create more ease in their lives, emphasizing a personalized and empathetic approach to wellness.
Credentials
Mariko earned a diploma of Acupuncture in 2015 and has been practicing since 2016. Her commitment to continuous learning led her to earn a Doctor of Chinese Medicine diploma in 2018. She is registered as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner.
Jenica Geisler
R.Ac · KOH.P · She/Her
Trauma-informed care · Five Elements · Community acupuncture.
Jenica completed her diploma in Doctorate studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Kootenay Columbia College of Integrative Health Sciences in 2012. She began practicing as a Community Acupuncturist shortly after, which inspired her to use her skillset for positive social and cultural change.
Practice
Jenica holds a private practice in Victoria on the unceded Coast Salish Territory, and in Quw'utsun, the Cowichan Valley, on the lands of the Hul'q'umi'num Coast Salish Peoples.
Specializations
She works as a clinical assistant for Alaine Duncan's Tao of Trauma certification program, which integrates Western Neuroscience with the Five Elements of Chinese Medicine to support trauma survivors. Jenica advocates for our innate capacity for healing, viewing her role as a facilitator who holds compassionate, non-judgmental space.
Scott Davis
TCM Ac · He/Him
20+ years experience · Pain management · Internal medicine · Full-scope TCM.
Scott has been practicing acupuncture and Chinese medicine for over 20 years. With 25 years of experience teaching movement and yoga, he offers a unique, integrated approach to pain management and internal medicine — helping patients regain mobility and well-being.
Practice
Scott combines structural assessment with pulse and tongue diagnosis, practicing the full scope of Traditional Chinese Medicine. His treatments include acupuncture, moxibustion, tuina, gua sha, cupping, herbal medicine, dietary guidance, and movement therapy.
Outside the clinic
Scott enjoys travel, nature, movement, cooking, and quality time with family.
Halle Whitfield
R.Ac · She/Her
Musculoskeletal injuries · Acute & chronic pain · Hormonal shifts · Nervous system care.
Born and raised in Victoria, Halle has always had a deep appreciation for health and movement. She first studied Psychology while completing her Associate of Arts and Sciences at Camosun College before following her passion for holistic healthcare by earning her Diploma of Acupuncture from Pacific Rim College.
Halle was drawn to acupuncture because of its ability to support the body’s natural healing processes while treating both the mind and body as a whole. She believes that a regulated nervous system plays an important role in recovery and enjoys helping clients create the conditions their bodies need to heal.
Practice
She has a special interest in treating musculoskeletal injuries, acute and chronic pain, hormonal shifts, and nervous system dysregulation. To further support her patients, Halle has completed additional training in myofascial needling and advanced orthopedic acupuncture techniques. She tailors every treatment to the individual, incorporating a variety of Traditional Chinese Medicine modalities such as electroacupuncture, cupping, gua sha, and Chinese dietary therapy recommendations when appropriate.
Whether someone is recovering from an injury, managing persistent pain, or looking to improve their overall well-being, Halle’s goal is to help them move more freely, feel their best, and get back to doing the things they love. She values building genuine connections with her clients and creating a welcoming space where they feel heard, supported, and cared for.
Outside the clinic
Outside the clinic, you’ll likely find Halle at a yoga class, roller skating, paddle boarding, or enjoying the outdoors with friends and family. She feels grateful to call Vancouver Island home and loves embracing everything it has to offer.
Booking Policy
Appointment Cancellation & No-Show Policy
At MĀ Wellness and Yoga, we strive to offer efficient services and honour the valuable time of our practitioners. We respectfully request a minimum notice of 24 hours for any cancellations or changes to your appointment.
- Late cancellation — Cancellations less than 24 hours before the scheduled time are charged 100% of the treatment cost to the card on file. This fee compensates for the time that had been reserved for you.
- Emergencies — We understand unforeseen circumstances arise. Appointments cancelled due to emergencies within 24 hours of the scheduled time are charged a reduced fee of 50%.
We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation. By adhering to these guidelines, you help us maintain a high standard of service for all our patients.
FAQ
Common questions about acupuncture
Acupuncture, originating in China over 2,500 years ago, is a therapeutic practice designed to maintain health and harmony within the body. By inserting small, precisely placed needles along the body's meridians, acupuncture restores the flow of qi — much like steering a river back to its natural course.
Contemporary research shows that needle insertion activates the body's nervous, muscular, fascial, and immune systems — demonstrating acupuncture's wide-ranging impact on health.
Many people seek acupuncture for pain relief, but it can treat many other conditions. Acupuncture shines in treating reproductive issues, migraines, insomnia, musculoskeletal conditions, anxiety and depression, lymphatic health concerns, digestive imbalances, and palliative care needs.
This medicine seeks to harmonize the deeper currents in our body that help to sustain us — acupuncture can be used to rebalance a wide range of conditions.
It's important to talk to your practitioner about your treatment plan. More acute phases of illness or discomfort may clear quickly in only a few treatments. Some longer-standing patterns may require more frequent treatment — such as 1–2 times a week for a period — before the qi can move freely. Each condition is unique, and the longer a patient has had a condition, the longer the treatment plan tends to be.
The insertion of needles can seem like a strange way of seeking health at first — but acupuncture is often a deeply relaxing experience that causes very little discomfort, if any. If it's your first time, your acupuncturist will be sensitive about choosing points with less sensation, easing you into the process. Our patients tend to look forward to their visits and the results they experience through treatment.
The most common side effect of acupuncture is bruising. In fact, some treatments like fire cupping create bruising intentionally, to mount an immune response to a stagnant area. Bruising normally subsides in 3–5 days.
Some points may release a small amount of blood and feel a bit sore the next day. Many forms of orthopaedic needling done for musculoskeletal pain can leave muscles feeling sore for a day or two — all part of the healing process.
After receiving acupuncture, make sure to drink plenty of water — this facilitates the movement of qi and creates a more lubricated pathway. Take it easy so the energy in your body can settle and flow with the tune-up you've received. Your practitioner will give you guidelines unique to you so you can support the treatment after you leave the clinic.
Many extended health plans offer coverage for acupuncture performed by a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) or Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner. Coverage varies by plan — we recommend checking your extended health booklet or contacting your HR coordinator for details.
We offer direct billing to most major insurance providers for your convenience.
Our acupuncture clinic is located in downtown Victoria, BC, in a heritage building above Dragon Alley in Chinatown — the oldest Chinatown in Canada. Our address is 539 Herald Street, with treatment rooms designed for deep rest and recovery.
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