Meet Michael
My practice has been shaped by the people and places I’ve had the privilege to learn from.
Musculoskeletal, Sports & Orthopaedic Care
Musculoskeletal pain and injury have been a core focus of my work. Ongoing postgraduate training in assessment, motor points, electroacupuncture, manual soft tissue therapy, and pain differentiation (mechanical vs. chronic systemic) continues to refine how I treat.
Much of my clinical time has been spent with:
- Shoulder and upper extremity issues
- Low back, pelvis, and hips
- Lower extremity conditions
This has included work with professional teams and athletes, and those hands on experiences keep evolving how I understand sports and orthopaedic care in real bodies.
Community practice and mental health have been equally formative. Training at the Native Friendship Centre, working in a mental health and addictions clinic while preparing for board exams, and completing NADA certification in acupuncture detoxification in East Harlem all deepened my respect for accessible, low‑barrier care.
Additional study in trauma, PTSD, and recovery through the lens of East Asian medicine informs how I approach the nervous system in every treatment, whether we’re working with pain, stress, sleep, mood, or long term patterns of dysregulation.
Global & Rural Practice
Volunteering in rural Nepal with the Acupuncture Relief Project, treating farmers in a simple community clinic, remains one of the clearest reminders that this medicine is always a collaboration with context, culture, and circumstance.
> If you’re an acupuncturist and you’ve somehow landed on this page, consider this an open invitation: go volunteer at the Bajrabarahi clinic with Acupuncture Relief Project in rural Nepal.
Reproductive Health, Pregnancy & Postpartum
Pregnancy, fertility, and postpartum care have also been central to my clinical life. At Mighty Oak Midwifery in Kamloops, I supported hundreds of patients through:
- Conception and fertility support
- Pregnancy and symptom management
- Birth preparation
- Postpartum recovery
Since relocating to Vancouver, my practice has broadened again. I continue to welcome patients seeking support with:
- Fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and paediatric care
- Pain and injury (acute and chronic)
- Mental health and addiction
- General health during periods of change or transition
How I Work
I integrate orthopaedic assessment with East Asian medicine to understand what’s happening both structurally and systemically.
Treatment may include acupuncture, electroacupuncture, motor point work, manual soft tissue therapy, cupping, and lifestyle or movement suggestions.
Whether we’re working in a private treatment room or in the Acu Lounge, the goal is the same: to deliver a high standard of care in both treatment and environment.
This medicine is something I continue to learn every day, and I’m grateful to be able to practice it. If your goals touch any of these areas or if you’re simply looking for thoughtful support with what life is asking of you right now I’d love the opportunity to be part of that process.
Meet Spencer
Spencer is a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) who graduated from the Vancouver College of Massage Therapy, with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology.
After years of dealing with his own injuries, he stepped away from an opportunity to play volleyball in Europe and moved to Vancouver to follow a different path. Through that process, he gained a deep appreciation for the mental and physical sides of rehab, injury prevention, and performance and how different each person’s journey can be.
Continuing Education & Background
Spencer’s ongoing education and background include:
- Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS)
- Clinical neurodynamics
- Biomechanics and movement science
- Somatic‑focused work for the neck
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Personal training and strength & conditioning experience gained through his Kinesiology degree
How Spencer Works
Spencer’s treatments blend:
- Detailed assessment
- Targeted hands‑on work
- Movement and exercise integration
He emphasizes patient education and long‑term goals, helping people understand their own bodies so they can make clearer decisions about training, recovery, and everyday life.
Treatments can be focused and therapeutic for areas that need more attention, or incorporate more relaxing techniques when that’s what the body needs.
What to Expect
- Sessions may involve assessment, table based work, and movement.
- Clients are encouraged to wear athletic or comfortable clothing that allows for movement.
Spencer’s aim is to create a space where you feel supported, informed, and actively involved in your own rehab and performance.
