Services

What to Expect

What you get with me as your practitioner is a wonderful blending of ancient wisdom together with a modern understanding of physiology, neuroplasticity and the latest research.

Laura Kaufer, BSc, MSc
Registered Acupuncturist

I Provide:

  • A variety of Acupuncture and Non-Acupuncture options, like Fire Cupping, Gua sha, Acupressure, and Moxibustion.
  • An evidence-based practice. I combine traditional empirical Chinese knowledge with modern-day understanding of nerve and muscle anatomy along with the latest published research studies.
  • A mind-body approach. I am always considering the mind when treating the body, and the body when treating the mind, as Chinese medicine and I consider them to be one and the same. Health in a person manifests in the whole being – mind, body and spirit.
  • Background in nutrition: I did both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nutrition. I combine this with the Chinese Medicine dietary concepts of eating according to the seasons and your body’s constitution. If you’re interested, let’s talk about food choices and recipes!
  • Trauma-informed, compassionate approach alongside a judgement-free space focused on informed consent.
  • Tailored treatments. I commit to meeting you where you’re at the day of our session, knowing that we are beings living and responding to an ever-changing environment.
Images of Chinese Medicine and Modalities. include the following: Cupping, Gua sha, Tuina, Moxibustion, Electro-stimulation, and Dietary Therapy.

General Guidance:

  • Expect to be heard and to be treated respectfully without judgment.
  • The reasons for your visit will be addressed using Chinese Medicine’s holistic approach, informed by my training in Canada and China.
  • Holistic approach: I will consider where you are today, your overall health, systemic imbalances, main area of concern, and current state of mind, body and spirit.
  • Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are comprehensive and holistic medicines. As such, changes in pain and manifestations of discomfort may take time. Generally, one course of treatment is 10 treatments. Ideally, these treatments occur twice a week or weekly for several weeks.
  • It may take 4-6 treatments to start observing or feeling changes in the body.

Laura Kaufer, BSc, MSc
Registered Acupuncturist

My Focus Areas

Pain Relief

Head Health

Women’s Health

Stress & Mental Health

Additional Areas

In Addition, I Also Tackle These Areas:

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Digestive discomfort

  • Elbow pain (tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow)

  • Insomnia/Trouble falling or staying asleep

  • Fatigue

  • Lyme Disease support

  • Nutritional and Dietary Guidance

  • Pediatric conditions (musculoskeletal, digestive, respiratory)

  • Sciatica/Lower back pain

Initial Visit

75 minutes

What brought you into see me? What are your short- and long-terms goals regarding this condition? We start our discussion here.

Next, I will inquire about your general health, and ask questions that relate to Chinese Medicine diagnosis, such as whether you sweat at night, have dry skin, or urinate frequently. I will also ask to examine your tongue and pulse, as these aid my understanding of the internal state of your body.

As part of your initial visit, you will receive treatment. This can include Acupuncture, Cupping, Tuina massage, Gua Sha, Moxibustion, and Electrical stimulation. The goal of each treatment is to affect local and systemic (whole-body) change. For those of you who don’t like needles, don’t worry! Not everything I do requires needles.

We will end the treatment with a discussion of the expected results, time frame, and frequency recommended for treatment of your main health conditions.

Follow-Up Visits

30-minutes, 45-minutes, 60-minutes

We will check in and discuss how you are today and review goals as needed. These sessions are generally more treatment and less talk.

A 60-minute follow-up appointment will include face-up and face-down treatments and may also include bodywork.

A 45-minute follow-up treatment is best for one-sided treatment with bodywork (Cupping, Gua sha, Moxibustion, Acupuressure, etc.)

A 30-minute appointment is suited for someone coming for regular appointments working on a specific concern. These appointments have acupuncture or bodywork (Acupressure / Tuina Massage, Fire cupping, Gua sha) but not both.

Where to Find Me

I currently practice out of Stouffville Natural Health Clinic (Stouffville) and Aurora Prime Physiotherapy (Aurora) in Ontario, Canada.

I have also worked with Toronto AcuBirthing and West End Mamas to provide acupuncture and Chinese medicine to support pregnancy and ease the transition from pregnancy to parenthood.

Laura Kaufer, BSc, MSc
Registered Acupuncturist

AURORA PRIME PHYSIOTHERAPY

372 Hollandview Trail

Unit 107, Aurora,

ON L4G 0A5

AURORA SCHEDULE:

Wednesdays:

12:30pm-5:30pm

Fridays: 12:30pm-5:30pm

2024 Best Acupuncture Aurora - Laura Kaufer Acupuncturist

STOUFFVILLE NATURAL HEALTH CLINIC

37 Sandiford Dr #309

Whitchurch-Stouffville,

ON L4A 7X5

STOUFFVILLE SCHEDULE:

Tuesdays: 12:00pm-7:00pm

Thursdays: 10:00am-2:30pm

Alternating Saturdays:

9:00am-1:30pm

MOXIBUSTION

 

Moxibustion, an ancient technique that was used alongside acupuncture, involves the burning of a Chinese medicinal herb called Mugwort over specific acupuncture points. This process yields therapeutic outcomes and can help with hot flashes, digestive issues, and breech presentation during pregnancy.

ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture involves the precise insertion of ultra-thin, sterile needles at specific points along the body. These points, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine’s millennia-old wisdom, have been substantiated by extensive modern medical research. They target specific nerves and muscles to induce both localized and systemic healing.

CUPPING

 

Cupping entails placing glass cups on the skin and creating a suction effect, causes a gentle upward and outward movement of muscles and fascia, accompanied by increased blood circulation to the treated areas, resulting in temporary red marks that typically fade within 1-3 days. Cupping is effectively addresses both acute and chronic pain, such as neck, shoulder tension, low back pain, and menstrual cramps.

GUA SHA

Gua sha is a soft tissue therapy that involves the controlled scraping of the skin with a specialized tool. This enhances blood flow and reduces muscle pain, effects that persist for days following treatment. Gua sha has also demonstrated immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. While some skin discoloration (petechiae) may occur, it dissipates over several days. Guasha can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including headaches, neck and back pain, and respiratory ailments.

TUINA

Tuina, the Chinese medicine equivalent of therapeutic massage, resembles Shiatsu. It employs pressure at specific acupuncture points and stretching along meridian channels and fascial connections. These techniques can help alleviate pain, enhance blood and lymph circulation, and promote overall health.

ELECTRO-STIMULATION

A low-amplitude electrical current is applied to acupuncture needles inserted at specific locations on the body. You will feel a slight pulsing or tingling at the site, like a TENS machine. It will not cause pain. This enhances the therapeutic effect of acupuncture treatment, stimulates tissue, and alleviates pain.

DIETARY THERAPY

 

The food we consume serves as the foundational building blocks for our bodies, sustaining, restoring, and promoting healing. Chinese Medicine’s dietary concepts consider an individual’s constitution and environmental factors. The overarching goal is to provide the body with the types of foods and fluids it can readily utilize to ensure optimal energy, function, and structural strength, allowing us to live life to the fullest.

Let's work together...

Image of Laura Kaufer Acupuncturist with logo

...to promote bodily harmony by targeting imbalances, thereby preventing discomfort and fostering well-being.

Laura Kaufer, BSc, MSc
Registered Acupuncturist

2024 Best Acupuncture Aurora - Laura Kaufer Acupuncturist

where to reach me

I currently practice out of Stouffville Natural Health Clinic (Stouffville) and Aurora Prime Physiotherapy (Aurora)

Aurora Prime Physiotherapy

Wednesdays: 12:30pm-5:30pm

Fridays: 12:30pm-5:30pm

Stouffville Natural Health Clinic

Tuesdays: 12:00pm-7:00pm

Thursdays: 10:00am-2:30pm

Alternating Saturdays: 9:00am-1:30pm

2024 Best Acupuncture Aurora - Laura Kaufer Acupuncturist