A Stories Project: Humans of Heart & Hands

Read below for the many Heart & Hands stories our practitioners, clients & volunteers have shared so far :)


We love community. And we love stories. Humans of Heart & Hands is a collection of practitioner, volunteer & client accounts of how Heart & Hands Health Collective has made a positive impact in their lives.

Your stories are a living document of how community acupuncture can change the world, shifting societal views about self-care, the use of traditional modalities for prevention as well as supporting our organization and it’s hardworking practitioners.

Have we impacted your life in a positive way?
Do you feel inspired to share your Heart & Hands story?
Contribute to Humans of Heart & Hands

A little about Veronica.

Veronica’s first experience with acupuncture was right here at Heart & Hands. After becoming a … A little about Veronica. Read more »
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T.N. is smiling and sitting in front of our computer

A bright & cheerful presence

T.N. is always an enthusiastic, curious and cheerful presence behind our front desk as he … A bright & cheerful presence Read more »
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Judith is on the right, Jeremy is on the left. They are standing in front of the mural on the H&H driveway.

A family affair

Judith and Jeremy are father and daughter acu-nappers, one of our many pairs of family … A family affair Read more »
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Kathleen is on the right, Susan is on the left. They are making fish-faces.

Lovely & wacky

K.G. is one of the lovely and wacky faces you will see behind our front … Lovely & wacky Read more »
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C.R. and Christina sitting behind the front desk.

Last day!

C.R. one of our brilliant front desk volunteers on her LAST DAY behind the desk … Last day! Read more »
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Vera has pink hair and she is standing next to Christina in the doorway of Heart & Hands.

Birds of a feather

Vera is a fierce and fearless street nurse working with the clients of Portland Hotel … Birds of a feather Read more »
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Christina is on the left, Kim is on the right. Our posters are in the background.

Volunteer power!

K.B. is one of the 12 smiling faces of our amazing volunteer team that powers … Volunteer power! Read more »
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A.M. is wearing a fuschia shirt and sitting on a bench in the H&H lobby

A sunny & courageous soul

A.M. is a sunny, optimistic and courageous soul. She is a cancer survivor. She has … A sunny & courageous soul Read more »
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David standing on the left, Christina in the right. They are standing in front of the blackboard schedule.

An aspiring acupunk

This is David! He is an aspiring acupunk, acupuncture student at Oshio College and formerly … An aspiring acupunk Read more »
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Gift of a nettle patch

Thank you H.P. for the beautiful card & patch, nettle is indeed a tenacious, magical … Gift of a nettle patch Read more »
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H&H story by E.C.

This is beautiful artwork done in ink and printed on cardstock was illustrated by one … H&H story by E.C. Read more »
Read More
13 yr old Max gets poked for his seasonal allergies

Pokes are for kids too!

Because awesome earthlings like 13 yr old Max also get poked to keep their seasonal … Pokes are for kids too! Read more »
Read More
Collette Jobe and Millie Lacey standing in front of our weekly blackboard calendar in the lobby of Heart & Hands.

Save travels Millie!

Yesterday we bid farewell to Millie for another year! Her daughter Colette flew over from … Save travels Millie! Read more »
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Q.H. is lying on their belly on the floor drawing. They are wearing a dark toque and glasses.

H&H Story from Q.H.

  I didn’t know how much I needed acupuncture, until I decided to get over … H&H Story from Q.H. Read more »
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Ceramic manekineko on the kitchen windowsill.

H&H Story from Ka.D.

Heart & Hands Community has been amazing to me and my health! I have been … H&H Story from Ka.D. Read more »
Read More
E.C. has dark brunette hair and is holding her baby wrapped in a white blanket

H&H Story from E.C. & N :)

Christina, My baby boy came within the 48 window you predicted. He stayed head down … H&H Story from E.C. & N :) Read more »
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K.J. with a beard, somewhere tropical at sunset wearing a red t-shirt, tan cap and sunglasses.

H&H story from K.J.

A good friend of mine one day convinced me to tag along with her to … H&H story from K.J. Read more »
Read More
G.D. in a black wetsuit holding a paddle, sitting on a paddle board on open water

H&H story from G.D.

Back in September 2016, I received a serious head injury that resulted in a long … H&H story from G.D. Read more »
Read More
M.L. has her white hair in a short pixie cut, wearing a navy tunic.

H&H story from M.L.

I have been receiving acupuncture treatment regularly since 1991, usually once a month. This was … H&H story from M.L. Read more »
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K.D. standing on a windswept beach, with her long brown hair blowing. She is wearing shorts and a white tank top.

H&H Story from K.D.

In early 2014 escalating neck and shoulder pain lead me to scour the Internet in … H&H Story from K.D. Read more »
Read More

H&H Story from J.A.

So grateful to the awesome acupunks at Heart & Hands! I’ve been receiving loving, supportive, … H&H Story from J.A. Read more »
Read More
W.L. lying in the grass sprinkled with pink cherry blossoms. She is wearing jeans, black sweater, purse across her chest and a cap.

H&H Story from W.L.

I have a tear in my rotator cuff, so I was going to physio for … H&H Story from W.L. Read more »
Read More
M.C. wearing a green bike helmet, black t-shirt, suspenders and jeans. He's holding his bike and looking forwards.

H&H Story from M.C.

My body wouldn’t stop shaking. I lay awake in a cold sweat, my mind spinning. … H&H Story from M.C. Read more »
Read More
L.K. kissing her partner, she has long brown hair in a braid, her partner on her left has spiky short hair, their son is blonde and is sitting on her partner's shoulders.

H&H story from L.K.

When my partner and I decided to have a baby, we soon learned that I … H&H story from L.K. Read more »
Read More
Entrance of the clinic room, auricular acupuncture poster, decorations, recliner chairs.

H&H Story by L.I.

During an a health crisis I was looking for help and answers from western medicine. … H&H Story by L.I. Read more »
Read More
S.S. wearing a light coloured scarf and an indigo sweater sitting on the bench at Heart & Hands.

H&H Story from S.S.

Rewind to 2007. I had just come back from travelling, was immersing myself in yoga, … H&H Story from S.S. Read more »
Read More
E.L is wearing glasses and a purple shirt with a yellow logo. She is standing with her hands in her pockets leaning against our mural.

H&H story from E.L.

Heart and Hands is an example of how to be in great service to others. … H&H story from E.L. Read more »
Read More
J.M. standing by a glassy lake with a dog standing in the water

H&H story from J.M.

I am a practitioner at Heart & Hands Health Collective, but also an avid napper.  … H&H story from J.M. Read more »
Read More
J.L has a dark, salt & pepper beard, glasses, wearing a cycling cap and a lime green jacket.

H&H story from Ja.L.

I was first introduced to acupuncture by Christina back in 2008 and I was hooked. … H&H story from Ja.L. Read more »
Read More
J.L. has long brown hair and is wearing a pink shirt

H&H story from J.L.

I have complicated, chronic, multi-system, health issues, and over the last two years my life … H&H story from J.L. Read more »
Read More

A little about Veronica.

Veronica’s first experience with acupuncture was right here at Heart & Hands. After becoming a … A little about Veronica. Read more »
T.N. is smiling and sitting in front of our computer

A bright & cheerful presence

T.N. is always an enthusiastic, curious and cheerful presence behind our front desk as he … A bright & cheerful presence Read more »
Loretta and Wally sitting on the bench before their weekly acunaps

A weekly routine

This is W.H. & his beautiful mother L.M. about to head into their weekly acunap.
Rhyan and Christina in a selfie in front of the lobby blackboard.

A talented & empathetic individual

R.C. is a talented and empathetic individual who keeps our front desk organized like a … A talented & empathetic individual Read more »
Judith is on the right, Jeremy is on the left. They are standing in front of the mural on the H&H driveway.

A family affair

Judith and Jeremy are father and daughter acu-nappers, one of our many pairs of family … A family affair Read more »
Kathleen is on the right, Susan is on the left. They are making fish-faces.

Lovely & wacky

K.G. is one of the lovely and wacky faces you will see behind our front … Lovely & wacky Read more »
C.R. and Christina sitting behind the front desk.

Last day!

C.R. one of our brilliant front desk volunteers on her LAST DAY behind the desk … Last day! Read more »
Vera has pink hair and she is standing next to Christina in the doorway of Heart & Hands.

Birds of a feather

Vera is a fierce and fearless street nurse working with the clients of Portland Hotel … Birds of a feather Read more »
Christina is on the left, Kim is on the right. Our posters are in the background.

Volunteer power!

K.B. is one of the 12 smiling faces of our amazing volunteer team that powers … Volunteer power! Read more »
J.W. is wearing a yellow dress and a denim jacket.

Restoration. Resurgence. Rest.

Heart & Hands Health Collective is my go to place every week for my incurable … Restoration. Resurgence. Rest. Read more »
A.M. is wearing a fuschia shirt and sitting on a bench in the H&H lobby

A sunny & courageous soul

A.M. is a sunny, optimistic and courageous soul. She is a cancer survivor. She has … A sunny & courageous soul Read more »
Brewster is on the right, Christina is on the left

My wise community acupuncture comrade

This my wise colleague and fellow community acupuncture comrade Dr. Brewster Scott, ND. Brewster is a … My wise community acupuncture comrade Read more »
David standing on the left, Christina in the right. They are standing in front of the blackboard schedule.

An aspiring acupunk

This is David! He is an aspiring acupunk, acupuncture student at Oshio College and formerly … An aspiring acupunk Read more »
Gail is sitting on the left, Christina on the right.

A loyal & regular client

This is Gail ♡ She’s been a loyal and regular Heart & Hands client for … A loyal & regular client Read more »
Christina, Melissa & Meatball showing off a H&H totebag in the lobby.

Thursday morning dream team :)

Melissa & Meatball, the pug, have been longterm clients at Heart & Hands as well … Thursday morning dream team :) Read more »

Gift of a nettle patch

Thank you H.P. for the beautiful card & patch, nettle is indeed a tenacious, magical … Gift of a nettle patch Read more »
Jason in a baseball hat and t-shirt.

This is Jason, PHS edition

This is Jason. PHS gave him his health back. He was living on the street … This is Jason, PHS edition Read more »

Crystal finds acupuncture soothing

Crystal finds acupuncture soothing. The sessions she gets at PHS has helped her sleep, manage … Crystal finds acupuncture soothing Read more »

A reflection on 8 years

I founded Heart & Hands Oct. 5, 2010 and here is what I have learned … A reflection on 8 years Read more »

H&H story by E.C.

This is beautiful artwork done in ink and printed on cardstock was illustrated by one … H&H story by E.C. Read more »
13 yr old Max gets poked for his seasonal allergies

Pokes are for kids too!

Because awesome earthlings like 13 yr old Max also get poked to keep their seasonal … Pokes are for kids too! Read more »
Collette Jobe and Millie Lacey standing in front of our weekly blackboard calendar in the lobby of Heart & Hands.

Save travels Millie!

Yesterday we bid farewell to Millie for another year! Her daughter Colette flew over from … Save travels Millie! Read more »
Q.H. is lying on their belly on the floor drawing. They are wearing a dark toque and glasses.

H&H Story from Q.H.

  I didn’t know how much I needed acupuncture, until I decided to get over … H&H Story from Q.H. Read more »
Ceramic manekineko on the kitchen windowsill.

H&H Story from Ka.D.

Heart & Hands Community has been amazing to me and my health! I have been … H&H Story from Ka.D. Read more »
E.C. has dark brunette hair and is holding her baby wrapped in a white blanket

H&H Story from E.C. & N :)

Christina, My baby boy came within the 48 window you predicted. He stayed head down … H&H Story from E.C. & N :) Read more »
K.J. with a beard, somewhere tropical at sunset wearing a red t-shirt, tan cap and sunglasses.

H&H story from K.J.

A good friend of mine one day convinced me to tag along with her to … H&H story from K.J. Read more »
G.D. in a black wetsuit holding a paddle, sitting on a paddle board on open water

H&H story from G.D.

Back in September 2016, I received a serious head injury that resulted in a long … H&H story from G.D. Read more »
M.L. has her white hair in a short pixie cut, wearing a navy tunic.

H&H story from M.L.

I have been receiving acupuncture treatment regularly since 1991, usually once a month. This was … H&H story from M.L. Read more »
K.D. standing on a windswept beach, with her long brown hair blowing. She is wearing shorts and a white tank top.

H&H Story from K.D.

In early 2014 escalating neck and shoulder pain lead me to scour the Internet in … H&H Story from K.D. Read more »

H&H Story from J.A.

So grateful to the awesome acupunks at Heart & Hands! I’ve been receiving loving, supportive, … H&H Story from J.A. Read more »
W.L. lying in the grass sprinkled with pink cherry blossoms. She is wearing jeans, black sweater, purse across her chest and a cap.

H&H Story from W.L.

I have a tear in my rotator cuff, so I was going to physio for … H&H Story from W.L. Read more »
M.C. wearing a green bike helmet, black t-shirt, suspenders and jeans. He's holding his bike and looking forwards.

H&H Story from M.C.

My body wouldn’t stop shaking. I lay awake in a cold sweat, my mind spinning. … H&H Story from M.C. Read more »
L.K. kissing her partner, she has long brown hair in a braid, her partner on her left has spiky short hair, their son is blonde and is sitting on her partner's shoulders.

H&H story from L.K.

When my partner and I decided to have a baby, we soon learned that I … H&H story from L.K. Read more »
Entrance of the clinic room, auricular acupuncture poster, decorations, recliner chairs.

H&H Story by L.I.

During an a health crisis I was looking for help and answers from western medicine. … H&H Story by L.I. Read more »
S.S. wearing a light coloured scarf and an indigo sweater sitting on the bench at Heart & Hands.

H&H Story from S.S.

Rewind to 2007. I had just come back from travelling, was immersing myself in yoga, … H&H Story from S.S. Read more »
E.L is wearing glasses and a purple shirt with a yellow logo. She is standing with her hands in her pockets leaning against our mural.

H&H story from E.L.

Heart and Hands is an example of how to be in great service to others. … H&H story from E.L. Read more »
J.M. standing by a glassy lake with a dog standing in the water

H&H story from J.M.

I am a practitioner at Heart & Hands Health Collective, but also an avid napper.  … H&H story from J.M. Read more »
J.L has a dark, salt & pepper beard, glasses, wearing a cycling cap and a lime green jacket.

H&H story from Ja.L.

I was first introduced to acupuncture by Christina back in 2008 and I was hooked. … H&H story from Ja.L. Read more »
J.L. has long brown hair and is wearing a pink shirt

H&H story from J.L.

I have complicated, chronic, multi-system, health issues, and over the last two years my life … H&H story from J.L. Read more »