The Back At It team is stoked to welcome Arianne, our newest acupuncturist! Her calendar will open for appointments soon, so we wanted to introduce her before you meet her in the clinic.
A backcountry snowboarder, rock climber and mountain biker, Arianne shares our enthusiasm for getting outside. She brings a thoughtful approach to care, a passion for Traditional Chinese Medicine and a pretty interesting story about how she found her way to it.
From travelling to training
Arianne’s interest in healing practices started while travelling through California and Mexico in her early twenties. Along the way, she was introduced to Temazcal ceremonies, medicinal plants and the foundations of Chinese medicine.
That curiosity stuck with her. Later, in the mountain town of Dharamsala in Northern India, she met a Chinese medicine practitioner whose approach made a lasting impression. Through physical observations, a few questions and taking her pulse, he assessed what she was experiencing and offered treatment. Seeing his work with her and the wider community got her thinking seriously about pursuing it herself.
She was especially drawn to the way Traditional Chinese Medicine considers physical and emotional wellbeing together. Before long, she was heading to Nelson, BC, to train at Kootenay Columbia College.
Mountains, studying and a few opportunities to get outside between classes. A good fit.
She gets the mountain lifestyle
When you spend your free time snowboarding in the backcountry, climbing and mountain biking, you develop an appreciation for what you ask of your body.
Arianne brings that perspective to her work. She has a particular interest in treating pain and restricted movement, including what Traditional Chinese Medicine calls Bi Zheng, often translated as “painful obstruction.”
She’s also interested in the psychological aspects of Chinese medicine. Stress, anxiety, sleep and emotional well-being are all welcome topics in her treatment room.
Whether you’re hoping to feel more comfortable on your next ride or get through the workday with less discomfort, she wants to understand what’s going on and what matters to you.
Your appointment is a conversation
If you like knowing what’s happening during a treatment, you’ll appreciate Arianne’s approach.
Her practice is trauma-informed, and building trust with her patients is a priority. She’ll check in about what she’s doing, how it feels and whether you’re comfortable continuing. There’s always room to adjust the treatment, take a pause or stop.
You’re encouraged to speak up. Questions, preferences and “actually, can we change that?” are all part of the process.
Depending on your needs and the treatment plan you agree on, an appointment may include acupuncture, fire cupping, electrical stimulation or Tui Na, a form of Chinese therapeutic massage. Arianne enjoys combining techniques while staying responsive to how you’re feeling throughout the session.
The best kind of follow-up
For Arianne, one of the most rewarding parts of the job is hearing from a patient after treatment.
Maybe they’ve had a more comfortable day. Maybe pain has eased enough for them to enjoy something they’ve been missing. Those updates mean a lot to her.
Helping people feel more at ease in their bodies and get more out of their days is a big part of why she’s excited to keep growing in this work.
Settling into the Bow Valley
Outside the clinic, Arianne is looking forward to getting acquainted with the local peaks, ridgelines and mountain faces. We expect she’ll find plenty to keep her busy.
She’s also excited to join a team that shares her appetite for learning, patient care and mountain living. We’re looking forward to having her around for all of it.
Arianne’s appointment calendar will be opening soon. Keep an eye out for booking details, and join us in giving her a warm welcome to Back At It!
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