Madison Kolla | registered acupuncturist

 

I feel very lucky to work, live and play in the traditional and unceded territory of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples - the Songhees, Esquimalt -  and WSÁNEĆ First Nations, peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

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I come from settlers - planters and tenders of crops and gardens and animals. Harvesters of herbs. Sewers and weavers and healers and birthers and mothers and teachers and caregivers. I became an acupuncturist because I wanted to help people in areas dismissed by the modern healthcare system. My life is shaped by trauma, pain, and illness in my family lines and by multiple traumatic hospitalisations of my own. I sought a way to support people with less potential for harm.

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I graduated from Pacific Rim College in June 2012 at the top of my class. I have since completed additional training with Masters of Traditional Chinese Medicine, with MDs that specialise in chronic pain and trauma, and with many well-respected yogis. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to study systems outside of my culture and lineage, to learn from alternate paradigms and lenses. I have given thousands of treatments in community acupuncture clinics and have worked one-on-one with people desiring deeper, more individualised work. I've also performed auricular acupuncture in various settings such as medical detox facilities, harm reduction programs, and in post-correctional reintegration.

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I practice Balance Method Acupuncture in the lineage of the late Grandmaster Dr. Richard Teh-fu Tan. This exceptionally effective style of acupuncture is based in the theory of the meridian system and usually involves placing needles away from the areas of discomfort or pain (as Dr. Tan used  to say "Don't spank a crying baby!" - meaning if a part of your body is hurting, don't hurt it further by putting needles there!) This also keeps the area of focus free for hands-on treatment like massage, acupressure and energy work.

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I have a strong interest and experience in the use of acupuncture for treating mental health challenges and trauma. I have lived experience of mania, psychosis, post-traumatic stress and clinical depression, as well as postpartum psychosis, anxiety and depression. My experiences of mental illness and extreme states continue to facilitate self-discovery, and I am passionate about sharing what I've learned through recovery and integration. I continue to learn and grow in my own practices of movement, writing, plant medicine and parenting.