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
My name is Brewster Scott
I am a First Generation Grenadian Canadian on my Father’s side and a 3rd generation Irish/Scottish/Pennsylvania Dutch Canadian mix on my Mother’s.
One of the reasons my parents decided to name me “Brewster” was so that when …
Going to acupuncture with Christina at Heart & Hands got me through to the end of my pregnancy. I started going for relief from pregnancy-related carpal tunnel, but it soon became clear to me that Christina was very knowledgeable about …
Pandemic practicing is not without it’s trials, tribulations and quirks. There is no manual for what we should be doing.
The foundation of our community practice is relational and a huge component of the work we do involves human connection. …
Hello!
When Christina suggested we each do an ‘unmasking’ post, I thought it was a great idea. I hope these posts give you comfort and familiarity with us if you haven’t yet come to see us for community acupuncture. If we have …
I initially struggled writing this post because I’m a pretty private person, and social media is well, weird, but then I ran into a client out in the world and was delighted to see their face and smile, and then …
When my partner and I started thinking about having kids I was worried it might be a challenge for us. I had had irregular cycles for years and often skipped ovulation. I started coming to Heart & Hands for help …
Acu-naps at Heart & Hands are a both a space of respite and an important aspect of healing for me – helping me so much on my path to to help others, to work with my hands and body at …
Originally from “A reflection on 8 years” posted Oct. 5, 2018, by Christina Chan, R.Ac.
As we close our 5-week crowdfunding campaign, we reflect on HOW MUCH Heart & Hands has GROWN in the last 10 years, the role it plays …
Heart & Hands has been the only reliable constant in my healing process.
It’s the only place that, if I am struggling to keep up with life’s demands, I can show up knowing that I will walk out with improved …
A friend of mine brought me along to H&H back in September 2016 while I was in the process of recovering from a broken foot. I was apprehensive at first about receiving acupuncture due to my fear of needles. But …
My first experience with acupuncture was right here at Heart & Hands in 2013. Christina and multiple other acupuncturists through the following months warmly welcomed me to this lovely community clinic. I was healing from an injury and felt supported …
My body is in fairly good health but there are times when I’m not feeling well and a trip to the walk-in doctors doesn’t seem like a welcoming and fruitful choice. I enjoy going to Heart & Hands for acupuncture, …
Heart & Hands has been the single most affirming health care experience I’ve had.
I came to Heart & Hands in a moment of extreme burnout. As an art and community worker deep in the hustle, I felt strapped in …
I started going to Heart and Hands to treat a knee injury about 7 years ago, and while my knee injury is long healed, I just keep coming.
I keep coming back for the warmth, care, compassion, community, and deeper …
I’ve had an irregular period since the start. Initially, there was a certain amount of novelty to only bleeding a few times a year – saving money on tampons, no cramps, no hassle, etc.
Despite that, there was always a …
I don’t quite remember how I came to find H&H a few years ago, but I am forever grateful that I did.
Christina and the other ‘punks and volunteers provide a safe, welcoming, peaceful environment for this important health care. …
I’m autistic and have a variety of chronic conditions, including anxiety, IBS, and PCOS. I approached acupuncture because my partner recommended it and talked about how it had helped them mentally and physically, and I was ready to try anything …
I was first referred to Heart & Hands by a friend when I was struggling to manage my blood pressure. I was initially assessed at the Urgent Medical Assessment Clinic and was extremely stressed and frustrated that nothing was coming …
I was previously convinced of the power of acupuncture back when I started receiving it in the 80’s from an old school TCM practitioner back when I was living in Vancouver. The results were astonishing. It took me a long …
It’s difficult for me to put into words the level of gratitude I feel for the Heart and Hands community.
It was about 5 years ago that a good friend of mine and mentor brought me into the clinic for …
I first started coming to Heart & Hands in 2014 when I was experiencing chronic adrenal fatigue and the accessible model made it possible to receive treatment on a more consistent basis.
I remained a regular client over the years, …
Nine years ago, I was connected to Heart & Hands through a mutual friend. I was looking for a Victoria location to host my first solo gemstone show on Vancouver Island.
My seasonal shows at Heart & Hands has been …
“Hey Christina,I just wanted to let you know Midori gave birth to our daughter, Camellia on Monday morning. She was a healthy 8lbs 5oz. Both her and Midori are doing very well. We left the hospital today and are now …
H&H is magic!
I most appreciate pokes when nothing feels right, something is wrong that I can’t put my finger on, when I need to be wrapped in a blanket and hide. I consistently feel improvement after treatment, like the …
I’m an illustrator and graphic designer and a few years ago I got to the point where I was in so much computer pain that I thought I’d have to quit. I couldn’t turn my neck and my body would …
I have been a client and fan of Heart & Hands for several years. Something that means a great deal to me is that the services are affordable for all and the healing takes place in a circle. I am …
H&H is a place that offers medicine in the form of caring, intuitive healers who are accepting, responsive, and compassionate.
For me, it is a powerful alternative to the regular avenues for healing; such places never offered me comfort, safety, …
We all deserve to be supported without judgement.
What I love and have come to rely on about Heart & Hands is the feeling that it is OK to be who you are, wherever you are and with whatever you’re …
I’ve been going to Heart and Hands for years, and it’s an incredible resource.
Each practitioner is lovely, empathetic, and highly skilled – and whether I come in with a pulled muscle or mental exhaustion, I’ve always left feeling better …
I was first introduced to acupuncture with Christina about 5 years ago.
As someone who has struggled with autoimmune illnesses, PTSD and a generalized anxiety disorder and medication resistant depression for the last 15+ years – I had really been …
I am sooo grateful to have found a wonderful place, a safe loving place that took me in as a regular acupuncture client. I was soooo worried that I wouldn’t find another place to be poked that I could afford …
Susan has been my miracle worker for approximately 5 years or more.
Her knowledge of acupuncture continues to amaze me. She has not only lifted me out of the pit of despair many times, but has also helped to relieve …
I came to Heart & Hands during an emotional time in my life, what I found was far beyond my expectation.
Heart & Hands has offered me a safe, non-judgmental place to land, no matter what I am going through. …
I came to Heart & Hands not being able to really articulate what I needed and with very few expectations of what the experience would be like. Christina helped me to describe my symptoms, which ranged from poor sleep to …
H&H is an integral part of my health team. This place has been there for me time and time again. Excellent one on one care and something that can not be understated, I always feel heard. Big love.
R.K. (& …
I volunteered at Heart & Hands and instantly became part of a great community. It was a brilliant experience to be able to help and be a part of Heart & Hands, so many people depend on the tremendous work …
H&H community! WE NEED YOUR VOICE!!
We are in the midst of some some VERY BIG PLANS and in the meantime, we’d like you all to help us build a gratitude wall. This wall will be part of an upcoming crowdfunding …
Heart & Hands Health Collective has been a proud sponsor of Eves of Destruction Roller Derby since 2012 and look forward to continuing to support the health and well-being of league members for the upcoming 2020 season!
Christina is active in the community, she is passionate about using acupuncture as a tool for positive social change through providing outreach, increasing accessibility and bringing the practice back to its traditional roots. She continues to explore her own personal experiences …
Jenica Geisler completed her diploma in Doctorate studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences (ACOS) in Nelson, BC, in 2012. She began practicing as a Community Acupuncturist shortly after, which motivated her to use her skillset for …
Pockets of air Bubbling up Under my skin
Building up walls Blocking energy Burning, bubbling
Their weight Is heavy Infectious Carcinogenic masses
I can’t reach Them Alone Please Are your needles handy? And are you feeling Precise?
Precise enough To …
Heart & Hands is a wonderful inclusive space that gives to so many people.
I had the opportunity to practice herbal medicine out of H&H and made many wonderful connections with beautiful humans during my time there. As a practitioner …
Susan came across acupuncture in her efforts to heal a sore back and a broken heart. She soon became a big fan and found that the hours spent with those little pins in not only helped her immediate concerns, but …
I found Heart & Hands through word-of-mouth recommendations from friends, and am immeasurably grateful that I did! As a health care provider and busy parent my body struggles a lot to keep up with many physical and stress demands. Christina …
Heart & Hands Health Collective has helped me in such a profound way.
I have struggled with mental health issues for many years, and finally took a friend’s advice to get acupuncture when I was truly at the end of my …
As an East Coaster living in BC, my loved ones are scattered across time zones. This winter, lacking the distraction and de facto social group that came with being a student, life here began to feel a little lonely. My …
Veronica’s first experience with acupuncture was right here at Heart & Hands. After becoming a regular client in 2012, she became a volunteer at the front desk to become more immersed in the clinic community. After years of being mystified …
Heart & Hands is not only a pillar of the downtown community and a pioneer in caring for people from all walks of life thanks to their affordable and inclusive model, they are also staffed by the most caring and …
I luckily stumbled upon Heart & Hands via one of my close friends from school who shared how amazing it was.
I have struggled with mental health issues, and therefore physical and physiological issues, for my entire adult life and …
My experience doing dental hygiene treatment at H&H has been very rewarding.
The clientele who come through here are actively seeking health and are willing to work with me to achieve their optimal oral health. My rental fees for using …
Each time I enter Heart & Hands my shoulders begin to drop and I can feel myself taking a deep breath, and I smile.
All the thoughtful intention and magic that unfolds within those walls facilitates a sense of safety …
T.N. is always an enthusiastic, curious and cheerful presence behind our front desk as he meets and greets acu-nappers coming and going from the clinic room. T.N. is currently studying acupuncture in Toronto ON.
This is W.H. & his beautiful mother L.M. about to head into their weekly acunap.
R.C. is a talented and empathetic individual who keeps our front desk organized like a well-oiled machine on Fridays 3 – 7pm :)
Judith and Jeremy are father and daughter acu-nappers, one of our many pairs of family members who nap together and hold one another accountable to receiving self-care.
The Del Sols have been steadfast H&H clients since 2012!
K.G. is one of the lovely and wacky faces you will see behind our front desk. She is devoted acu-napper and also a talented actor and playwright!
Vera is a fierce and fearless street nurse working with the clients of Portland Hotel Society. She is a big supporter of Heart & Hands and she is also know to take some pretty fierce and intense acu-naps…zzzz…
My first experience with acupuncture was right here at Heart & Hands in 2013. Christina and multiple other acupuncturists through the following months warmly welcomed me to this lovely community clinic. I was healing from an injury and felt supported and cared for.
After a while I continued my healing …
I’ve been going to Heart and Hands for years, and it’s an incredible resource.
Each practitioner is lovely, empathetic, and highly skilled – and whether I come in with a pulled muscle or mental exhaustion, I’ve always left feeling better in every way imaginable. Over time, regular visits have come …
Christina is active in the community, she is passionate about using acupuncture as a tool for positive social change through providing outreach, increasing accessibility and bringing the practice back to its traditional roots. She continues to explore her own personal experiences as a community organizer, a woman of colour and as …
Jenica Geisler completed her diploma in Doctorate studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences (ACOS) in Nelson, BC, in 2012. She began practicing as a Community Acupuncturist shortly after, which motivated her to use her skillset for positive social change.
Read below to get to know Jenica or …
Pockets of air Bubbling up Under my skin
Building up walls Blocking energy Burning, bubbling
Their weight Is heavy Infectious Carcinogenic masses
I can’t reach Them Alone Please Are your needles handy? And are you feeling Precise?
Precise enough To pierce Those pale pimples Pop them open That they release …
Veronica’s first experience with acupuncture was right here at Heart & Hands. After becoming a regular client in 2012, she became a volunteer at the front desk to become more immersed in the clinic community. After years of being mystified and impressed by the power of acupuncture, she enrolled in …