Derek Steel Chinese Medicine

11/12/2024

Learn with Apricot Grove Canada!

A major part of our vision is to spread the joy and depth of Chinese medicine and Neijing Nature-Based Medicine and so we are excited to announce a new stage in our development. You'll now be able to take regular classes and seminars through Apricot Grove Canada!

In December, we'll be introducing our new "Monthly Seminars" initiative. One Sunday each month, you'll have the opportunity to spend the afternoon learning various aspects of Chinese medicine, Daoist practice, and seasonal living. These will vary from introductory ideas that are accessible to everyone to deep dives on specific topics.

Beginning this week, DJ will be offering weekly Qigong classes every Saturday at 6:30pm. During these classes you'll learn the basics to sustain a regular Qigong practice with the potential for more depth over time. DJ focuses on accessible and simplistic methods to make things easy to learn and adjusts his teaching to the individual needs of each student.

To learn more and sign up, contact us or use the link: https://apricotgrovecanada.com/classes

10/03/2024

We are very excited to announce the opening of our new clinic, Apricot Grove Canada, in Downtown Victoria!

This project has been a long time in the making and we are happy to finally be welcoming new patients into the space. If you have a complex, chronic condition that bother's you, or would like to promote you overall health to continue to thrive, we'd love to offer our help.

We can now proudly offer Neijing Nature-Based Medicine (NNBM), Chinese medicine, and Medical Qigong out of the new location and will even be providing classes for Qigong and NNBM training!

If you're curious to learn more, head over to apricotgrovecanada.com for more information.

01/27/2022

"Today is Bell Let's Talk Day, which highlights and supports mental health initiatives in Canada. Show your support by spreading the word on social media to generate donations
Mental health support is an integral part of Chinese Medicine. Emotional and mental factors are always considered in the evaluation of a patient thanks to the holistic approach to medicine that acupuncturists and herbalists are trained to use. Mental health impacts physical health, and acupuncture or Chinese medicine may offer you an avenue to healing. Consult your local practitioner to learn more. "

"今天是 Bell Let's Talk Day，它强调并支持加拿大的心理健康倡议。通过在社交媒体上宣传以产生捐款来表达您的支持
心理健康支持是中医不可分割的一部分。由于针灸师和草药师经过培训使用的整体医学方法，因此在评估患者时始终考虑情绪和心理因素。心理健康会影响身体健康，而针灸或中医可能会为您提供治愈的途径。请咨询您当地的医生以了解更多信息"

11/21/2021

With winter starting up, I thought it might be nice to share a little wisdom from the HuangDi NeiJing on how we can help ourselves sustain health during these next few months.

A few days ago marked the beginning of winter according to the Chinese calendar. With this new coming of change, as with every season, the NeiJing gives us advice for healthy living. 冬三月，此謂閉藏，水冰地坼，無擾乎陽，早臥晚起，必待日光，使志若伏若匿，若有私...

10/24/2021

Chinese Medicine and Cancer

One of the more wonderful ways TCM can help in the modern world is in the supportive care of cancer patients.

Studies have shown that acupuncture and herbal medicine can help increase the effectiveness of radiation and reduce its side effects, including dry mouth and enteritis (inflammation of the GI tract).

They have also been shown to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy through reducing myelosuppression (decrease in blood cells) which allows the treatments to go on longer before rest periods are needed. They can also help reduce chemo-related side effects, especially vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats), nausea/vomiting, and fatigue.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine can also help with the anxiety and depression that often come with the struggles of a cancer diagnosis and treatment course.

TCM oncology is an area of passion for me as a practitioner since cancer touches almost everyone’s life in some way or another. If you have questions specific to TCM support for cancer treatments, I am currently taking appointments for FREE 30min consultations where we can discuss your individual questions and talk about potential treatment strategies.

10/18/2021

I'm very happy to now be offering direct billing through both TELUS Health eClaims and Pacific Blue Cross! This means that you only pay what your plan doesn't cover, and I handle the rest! Less out of pocket and less hassle for you, which means a smooth and easy treatment experience. If you have any questions about direct billing, or anything else, just shoot me a message or give me a call!

09/25/2021

Autumn is upon us! Which means it’s time to shift gears and slow down a little. This isn’t easy in our fast-paced world, so here’s a little excerpt from the NeiJing to give us some guidance:

“The three months of autumn are called ‘tolerantly holding the balance.’ [During this time,] the celestial influences become urgent [while] the earthly influences become brilliant. Rise and go to bed early, getting up with the chickens. Make [your] mind peaceful and calm. Be relaxed with the autumnal punishments. Draw inward and restrain the spirit, making autumnal influences balanced and not [placing] your mind outside. [This] makes the Qi of the Lungs clear. This is the way to resonate with the influence of autumn. To go against this injures the Lungs and, in winter, presents as loose stools and a reduction in [your capacity] to wait and store up.”

For people with trouble following the autumnal influence, acupuncture and herbal medicine have been used for over 2000 years to restore this ability and return us to a state of balance. This time of year, I usually see lots of people with issues slowing down and resting. This includes issues with sleep, anxiety and mental restlessness. I also see breathing disorders quite often. If you’re suffering from any of these, or maybe just want to get more in tune with the seasons, feel free to contact me.

09/17/2021

I'm excited to be accepting new patients, serving the Westshore community out of Natural Balance Health Clinic in Langford! If you have any questions about my approach to acupuncture and Chinese medicine please feel free to message me, call, or head to http://naturalbalancemassagelangford.com/about-us-2/derek-steel-ctcma-acupuncturist-and-traditional-chinese-medicine-practitioner/ for more information.