WELLNESS
Acupuncture
Alleviate Pain and Treat Various Physical, Mental and Emotional Conditions.
Acupuncture in Hamilton
Acupuncture is among the oldest healing practices in the world. It aims to restore and maintain health by stimulating specific points on the body.
At Durand Health, we have two types of professionals to perform Acupuncture.
One professional is Registered Acupuncturist (R. AC) regulated by CTCMPAO in Ontario. They perform Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Acupuncture using TCM techniques. During an acupuncture treatment, thin metal needles are inserted into the body to stimulate acupuncture points along the meridians. By stimulating these points, acupuncture helps to harmonize and replenish the flow of Qi (energy) and blood throughout your body, and restore health to the mind and body, thus balancing the yin and yang. The insertions of needles are manipulated by the hand or electrical stimulation, called electroacupuncture.
The other professional practice of Acupuncture is under their professions, such as physiotherapists, chiropractors and occupational therapists etc… based strictly on body anatomy. For example, thin metal needles are inserted in specific muscle trigger points or using pain points with gentle stimulation to release tension and pain.
What To Expect
Acupuncture is mostly painless. Upon the initial insertion of the needle, you may feel a dull tenderness sensation or a slight tingling which will mellow out within a minute. If prolonged discomfort is felt, our trained Practitioners can adjust the treatment according to your tolerance.
Who Provides Acupuncture at Durand Health?
Spring Shen, Registered Acupuncturist (R. Ac) & Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R. TCMP)
Sophia Bolos, Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) & Registered Acupuncturist (R. Ac)
Dr. Amani El Sawaf, Naturopath (N.D.)
Acupuncture services are billed according to each practitioner’s respective discipline. Please check your benefits plan to see how we can best serve you or call us HERE with inquiries.
Collaborative Care
When needed, our acupuncturists may work collaboratively with other healthcare practitioners within the clinic including physicians, chiropractors, naturopaths, and massage therapists to best manage your health needs. Please inquire for more information.
ACUPUNCTURE CAN HELP WITH:
- Stress
- Anxiety & Depression
- Insomnia
- TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Pain
- Pain (Neck, Back, Shoulder, Wrists, Hands, Knees, Ankles, Feet)
- Headaches
- Arthritis
- Fertility
- Nausea
- Fibromyalgia
- Eczema
- PMS & Hormonal Imbalance
- Allergies
Practitioners Offering Acupuncture

Chun Hui (Spring) Shen
Registered Acupuncturist & Traditional Chinese Medicine Practioner
READ BIO
SPRING’S AREAS OF FOCUS:
✅ Anxiety
✅ Stress
✅ Depression
✅ Headaches
✅ Insomnia
✅ Digestive Discomfort
✅ PMS
Chun Hui (Spring) Shen is a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) & Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCMP). Spring received her education at the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (AIM) Academy and the Ontario College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (OCTCM). Her practice places a great emphasis on the treatment of disharmony in the mind, emotions and spirit. Spring’s nature is one of kindness and compassion, and she has a deep commitment to helping people restore their health, improve their well-being and pursue health in mind/body/spirit as a whole. Spring is known to be very attentive and has a calming and empathetic approach to her patients.
“A chronic disease with a very long history can still be cured, and those who think otherwise have not really mastered the art of acupuncture.” – Nei Jing

Sophia Bolos
Registered Massage Therapist & Registered Acupuncturist
READ BIO
SOPHIA’S AREAS OF FOCUS:
✅ Relaxation
✅ Headaches
✅ Tension Release
✅ Low Back & Neck Pain
✅ Joint Pain
✅ Digestive Discomfort
✅ Sinus Clearing
Tapping into her years of experience as a Registered Massage Therapist and Registered Acupuncturist, Sophia supports her clients with a holistic approach when working with them toward their health and wellness goals. She tailors her treatments to the individual’s needs and preferences using a variety of techniques such as deep tissue massage, cupping, Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture, and acupressure. Whether you seek treatment for a specific issue or a more general, relaxing massage, Sophia can match therapeutic techniques to meet you where you are on your health journey and promote your body’s ability to heal.
“It’s very important that we re-learn the art of resting and relaxing. Not only does it help prevent the onset of many illnesses that develop through chronic tension and worrying; it allows us to clear our minds, focus, and find creative solutions to problems.” – Thich Hat Hanh

Dr. Amani El Sawaf
Naturopathic Doctor, B.Sc., PhD Rheum. (Egypt)
READ BIO
DR. EL SAWAF’S AREAS OF FOCUS:
✅ Pain Management
✅ PCOS & Women’s Health
✅Fatty Liver & Metabolic Disorders
✅ Anxiety & Depression
✅ Thyroid Disease
✅ Digestive Issues
✅ Infertility
Dr. Amani El Sawaf is a licensed Naturopathic Medicine Doctor, board-certified by the College of Naturopaths in Ontario. El Sawaf completed conventional medical school training in Egypt. She graduated from medical school with an honours degree. She joined the rheumatology residency program at Cairo University, Egypt. Amani has since devoted her time and efforts to studying naturopathic medicine to help people support their physical, mental and emotional health. She enjoys seeing what her patients can accomplish when they are listened to and feel empowered on their healing journey.
“The greatest medicine of all is to teach people how not to need it” – Hippocrates