Healing Spring Acupuncture

375 West Black Rock Road, West Black Rock NS, B0P 1V0
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Healing Spring Acupuncture

My clinic is located on North Mountain alongside the beautiful Annapolis Valley. It is surrounded by forest and overlooks the Bay of Fundy. 

Confucius said "The wise love water, the good love mountains. The wise are active, the good are tranquil. The wise are joyful, the good enjoy long life."

Holistic medicine maintains our balance between water and mountains. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) did not emerge from a confined laboratory but originated from ancient astronomical observation. By tracking the sun, moon, five major planets, and twenty-eight lunar mansions, the ancients recognized that cosmic energies profoundly influence not only Earth’s climate and environment but also the health of human organs and meridians. Thus, TCM is a holistic system that views the human body within the broader rhythms of the universe.

Over two thousand years ago, this wisdom was systematically recorded in The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic, which describes how natural cycles follow a sixty-year rhythm, with each year—and even each seasonal phase—carrying distinct climatic and health characteristics. This implies that health maintenance should align proactively with these cycles.

While many are familiar with the four key seasonal markers—the equinoxes and solstices—the TCM framework refines this solar calendar into 24 Solar Terms. Each term, about 15 days long, precisely captures subtle shifts in climate, natural phenomena, and the body’s energy. For over two decades, I have studied and practiced this “Solar Term wellness” approach with teachers in China, learning to adjust lifestyle, diet, and acupuncture in harmony with each term. This allows us not only to address existing imbalances but, more importantly, to strengthen the body’s resilience and prevent illness—embodying the core TCM philosophy of “preventive care.”

Open Hours - West Black Rock Clinic

375 West Black Rock Road, West Black Rock NS, B0P 1V0

     Monday             9 am – 3 pm

     Tuesday             2 pm – 5 pm

     Wednesday       9 am – 3 pm

     Thursday           2 pm – 5 pm

Open Hours - Coldbrook Clinic (at Coldbrook Chiropractic)

Suite 210 - 7165 Highway #1, Coldbrook NS B4R 1A2

      Friday               1 pm – 5 pm

In case these times do not fit your schedule, please email me at wenxiao@healingspring.ca so we can find a flexible appointment for you.
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Wenxiao Xu 

Registered Acupuncturist

I am a licensed acupuncturist and member of the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada.

My grandfather was a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Southern China. I still remember in those days patients brought chicken and rice to see a doctor. Growing up in a medical family, I tasted a lot of Chinese herbs from early on.

Before becoming an acupuncturist, I worked as a teacher in China, Canada and Germany, following my keen interest in languages, history, literature and philosophy. While these topics seem unrelated to TCM, they are actually closely connected. 

TCM, Chinese culture and philosophy share the same roots: Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. The TCM approach embodies the traditional way of life and thinking. Reading famous medical works in Classical Chinese constantly reminds me of this deep connection.

Throughout my life I pursued my interest in TCM by:

  • learning Gua Sha and Qigong as a teenager to help my mother recover from disease.

  • studying the Five Movements and Six Qi from my teacher Dr. Cheng’en Liu for 16 years. This science integrates ancient Chinese astronomy and solar terms with healthy living. Like acupuncture, it also originates from the ancient Chinese medical work the "Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic".

  • studying Buddhist medicine, moxibustion, and Earth School Acupressure in China.

I finally decided to turn my lifelong interest into a career and graduated from the Canadian College of Acupuncture and TCM in Nova Scotia to work as a registered acupuncturist.

I look forward to apply my understanding of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine as a spring - or source - of healing for you. 

Treatment Modalities
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    Acupuncture

    Acupuncture is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years to diagnose, prevent, and heal imbalances. It is based on the theory that disease is caused by a stagnation, excess or deficiency of the body’s energy – Qi. Acupuncture works by restoring the free flow of Qi in the meridian pathways of the body by stimulating specific points and invigorating a self-healing response. Acupuncture is effective in the treatment of a wide range of diseases. 
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    Moxibustion

    Moxibustion is a treatment method that uses the burning of moxa sticks or moxa wool from mugwort leaves for stimulation of acupoints or specific parts of the human body. Moxibustion is especially suitable for various diseases caused by cold and dampness, such as waist, leg and knee pain, gynecological dysmenorrhea, diarrhea and stomach pain caused by cold food and drinks.
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Treatment Modalities
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    Gua Sha

    Gua Sha is a traditional Asian treatment consisting of the repeated scraping of specific parts of the skin in a certain direction using a smooth-edged tool and lubricating oil. During treatment, dark red spots or plaques – so-called “Sha” – will temporarily appear on the skin in places where Qi and blood have been stagnant. These Sha are a natural outcome of the treatment of the disease, and will usually disappear within 2-3 days.

    Gua Sha treatment is based on the theory that internal problems will manifest themselves externally, and imbalances can be improved by stimulation of the skin. Gua Sha is often used to treat shoulder, neck and back pain, excess body heat, bloated legs, and to enhance facial beauty.
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    Cupping

    Cupping is a type of alternative therapy that involves placing suction cups on the skin. Cupping can improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, boost immune functions, remove toxins, and reduce pain. Just like Gua Sha treatment, Cupping will temporarily leave dark red marks on the skin. These are a natural result of the treatment and will usually disappear within 2-3 days.
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Treatment Modalities
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    Earth School Acupressure

    Earth School Acupressure is focused on the regulation of the spleen and stomach, which are the source of energy in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This treatment method has a history of more than 350 years and is especially effective in the treatment of constipation, obesity and various gastrointestinal problems.
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    Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture

    According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the ear resembles the shape of a baby embryo, and each part of the ear corresponds to a specific part of the body. Therefore, stimulating the ear through acupuncture can have therapeutic effects throughout the entire body. 
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  • WHAT TO EXPECT FOR THE FIRST TIME

     Booking an Initial appointment

    Book an Initial appointment online. If you have any question, send an email: wenxiao@healingspring.ca

     Consultation / Plan / Treatments

    ·      Your session includes 3 parts: consultation, plan, and treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine takes a holistic approach. You may experience different symptoms at different times of the day, or in different seasons and psychological states. The Acupuncturist will adapt your treatment plan to these changes accordingly. Therefore, every session always begins with a consultation. Expect the duration of your initial consultation to be longer than subsequent ones. 

    ·      Your session begins with a comprehensive intake discussing your health history, the main focus of the treatment. Your physical assessment will include observation, palpation, pulse taking and tongue observation.

    ·      Based on your symptoms, the Acupuncturist will devise a specific treatment plan to help correct the underlying imbalances. Your treatment may include Acupuncture, Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture, Gua Sha, Cupping, Moxibustion and Acupressure, or a combination of these according to your diagnosis. The Acupuncturist will only proceed with the recommended treatment if you are comfortable with it.

    ·      The treatment is administered while you rest comfortably on a treatment table. You may experience a deep sense of relaxation. You may even fall asleep, which is perfectly natural and does not reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. 

    ·      Your first visit will take 75 minutes. The cost for the first visit is $120. Follow-up Acupunctures take 60 minutes and cost $90 each. I offer a variety of TCM modalities, nutritional & lifestyle tips depending on your constitution, symptoms and current season to help you live your best!


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