Niagara Healing Arts

The Spaces We Create

I’ve worked in over 6 clinic spaces over my 20+ years of practice, and I can confidently say that there’s no such thing as a “perfect space”. I always consider my work style/flow, the people who need it, and the environment that best supports that process. Over the years I’ve carefully considered feedback from patients about my own clinic space as well as the other places they receive treatment.

What’s convenient and enjoyed?
What’s distracting or annoying?

In Daoist Energetic Medicine, the clinic environment is of great therapeutic influence. A place conducive to healing ideally follows the principles of Feng Shui and supported by Energetic Hygiene protocols and the energy cultivated by the practitioner’s Qigong and Meditation.

I consider things like lighting, sounds, smells and temperature that help to soothe the senses and calm the nervous system.

The most important thing is that patients feel like they are supported in and by the space, and feel comfortable relaxing and expressing themselves however they need to without inhibition.

There are plenty of things to enjoy about my current clinic space, but not everything is under my control.

In the past I’ve had to deal with terrible parking, noisy neighbours, too many stairs, improper heating and cooling, not enough space for exercises and one minor flood.

Moving has always churned up the flow of things. I typically lose and gain some patients, but business has always carried on just fine. Change is good, and I’m not afraid of it. Each move helped me learn more about what my patients need and I take that to heart.

With all that’s going for it, my space is not perfect, but I’m really enjoying it while I’m here.

If you have a healing space, clinic or workspace and want to have it working for you instead of against you, I may be able to help. DM to get the ball rolling.

You can also read my Substack Essay on “Qi in the Workplace” here (or via link in bio):
https://open.substack.com/pub/niagarahealingarts/p/qi-in-the-workplace?r=2g0za6&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

It has great resources, insight and lots of tips.

Thanks for reading.

Nancy

Some stuff I’m thinking about today.

Is it spring yet? - https://mailchi.mp/7fa067523b9e/winter2026-9256640

New Treatment Option!
30 Minute Restorative Qi Balance

This treatment is ideal for those who are curious about the effects of Daoist/Chinese Energetic Medicine, but who do not have serious medical conditions (if you do, please book an Initial Assessment & Treatment). This short session can help you feel rested, relaxed, grounded and uplifted. It’s great for those who want the benefits of acupuncture, but without needles. It’s also great for patients who:

- prefer less bodywork/touch
- want longevity care when a treatment plan is completed
- are energetically sensitive and responsive to this form of medicine
- need an affordable treatment option due to the frequency of treatment required
- are high on stress, but short on time

As with all sessions, after the assessment and treatment I will let you know my findings/clinical impressions and make home care or treatment recommendations.

This is available to book online NOW .niagarahealingarts.com. Link in bio.

Thanks for reading,

Nancy

Everyday Practices for Regulation

Some of the simple ways I teach patients to reconnect with their bodies and increase awareness are as follows:

- Mindfulness of the breathing body. This is one of the four foundations of mindfulness, and in practice it can be as simple as what I refer to as the “3-Breath Snack”. When you do notice your breathing is “tight”, or a mood or emotion or thought is arising in a distracting way, simply pause and take slow 3 intentional breaths with a nice long exhale on each one. This may help breathe some space around whatever thought, feeling or sensation is present and diffuse its distraction a little bit. It’s like opening a window a small crack and enjoying a bit of fresh air.

- Quick body scan. If, for instance, you are prone to low back or hip pain, it’s wise to check specific areas routinely throughout the day for any unnecessary gripping or tension in your feet, quads (thighs), calves and gluteal muscles, and notice when your posture is being hoisted upwards by your shoulders. Notice when you are standing as well as sitting. This is a typical avoidance response to chronic pain. When you make a point of checking in regularly, you’ll notice any habit of gripping, which is a waste of energy. You can then take the opportunity to soften and sink into a stable, relaxed and grounded posture, reducing your gripping and effort and training your nervous system know that it’s ok to let go. The more you notice, the easier it is to let go and you are also changing the pattern. This practice can go a long way in reducing the intensity and frequency of pain.

- Qigong exercises. I prescribe a specific exercise depending on your unique condition and treatment goals. These are gentle, repetitive and simple exercises that make sense, feel good, and help you develop a skill that you will use for your lifetime.

Just remember that regulation is dynamic and relative, and restoring balance & harmony is integral to good health. Small, routine practices are super helpful not only for mindful awareness and alleviating symptoms, but developing more acceptance and trust with your body.

Thanks for reading,

Nancy

Take it slow and steady out there, Niagara. I’ve got one spot free this Saturday to help you recover from your hard work making piles of crystallized flakes of frozen water. Book Online www.niagarahealingarts.com

I recently met with a new patient who reported having neither experience with nor understanding of manual therapies, not to mention Chinese Medicine. They were referred by their spouse, who was a patient I have helped with treatment and education. I briefly explained my approach and what to expect during the session with their goals in mind, yet after the session when I asked about their experience of the treatment, their answer was “Confused”.

They were not as confused after I delivered my clinical impressions clearly, with a deep understanding of their patterns and concealments (without judgement, of course). They nodded in surprise and agreement.

Patients might not fully understand my modalities and methodology for treating chronic pain and malaise, and that’s okay. It takes years of study and practice to “read” another human in this way and know how to help. It’s more important that patients gain a better understanding of their unique patterns, and capacity for change and transformation.

My job is to help you feel safe enough to relax and allow me to shine a light on what’s hidden from your awareness, then bring it to your attention. How I gather that information is up to me, but what we do with the information is up to you.

Some of my longtime patients, for whom I am eternally grateful, are not entirely receptive to the ways in which my approach has evolved over the years. Treatments feel different now from when my only approach was Swedish Massage (as all RMTs are trained to do). There’s a futility in imposing my will upon your tissues, stretching and pressing your body into a shape it doesn’t feel safe in. What is the tension holding on to? Why is there armoring? What is it protecting, or protecting from? The “why” is important.

Often a new patient arrives in my clinic with an assumption that all Energetic Medicine is like Reiki. Daoist Energetic Medicine is not like Reiki.

Similarly, patients sometimes expect Craniosacral Therapy to be like Osteopathy, but it’s not. (Continues in comments…)

How can I help?

I can’t write a concise mission statement. Any time I’ve tried it feels so hollow and trite. This work that I do is a calling, and although that might sound pretentious, it’s actually quite daunting and humbling. There are 10,000 reasons why I am called to this work, but the primary one is because I suffer in life. So do we all. I suppose my purpose has evolved over time, and the task of helping is not getting much easier due to the nature of change and culture. The digital age is driving us further away from the life conditions we need to truly thrive and feel safe, sane and seen. Posting on social media with my authenticity foot forward is not likely to get people onto my treatment table. My brick-and-mortar business is about old-school human touch, vulnerability, radical truth, intimacy and the magic of human transformation. Anyone who glamorizes helping work is grossly underestimating the sacrifices, discipline and self-healing the work demands, and yet I vow to not burn out. So, who am I most called to help? I can only tell you what I pray for and who gets the best results in my clinic. I pray every day to send me patients who need what I can do and are receptive to the process. The people who get the best results typically*:

1. are sensitive to Qi/Energy
2. are concurrently in counselling or psychotherapy
3. are in a helping profession themselves (teacher, therapist, nurse)
4. do the homework I prescribe and notice changes
5. are willing to examine their internal stories/beliefs about themselves
6. can make the connection between their physical symptoms and their life conditions (ie, relational conflict, job or financial stress, cultural conditioning, activities, aging etc)

*Based on my clinical case histories

Healing begins with a form of awakening to the way things really are, and I can help a little or a lot depending on many factors. I’m on this path with the rest of you, figuring it out as we go. I’m happy to help in whatever way I can.

Thanks for reading.

Nancy

Fresh New Essay on Substack. Subscribe for free via link in bio, or just read it.
Happy New Year everyone.
Nancy