Sammy Long, Registered Acupuncturist
202-1711 Cook St V8T 3P2 Victoria, BC, Canada

Stay warm and stay safe out there!

Just think - This medicine was formulated at a time when there were no lab tests, dissections, or imaging. The more I study and practice of this medicine the more I see its different words for the same things and many of these things modern science is just slowly catching up to now.

My personal favourite How To

Repost from @heartandhandsyyj: Nowadays we are in a collective freeze mode & it is important to practice self-compassion as well as appreciating that we are not only feeling this in our internal landscape, but this is in fact a global feeling+phenomenon . During times like this, prioritize how you utilize your limited energy & resources. Also understand that we are entering a seasonal change where we are departing from the balmy, bright, but strange days of a pandemic summ...er & transitioning into the cooler, damper, gradually darkening days of a pandemic autumn . Dress warmly, feed yourselves & loved ones nourishing foods & get enough sleep to protect your immunity. And yes, if you are struggling, that acupuncture is a gentle way to keep your heart open, regulate your nervous system & move that stagnant, worried qi of yours . . . . #heartandhandsyyj #seasonaltransition #autumnequinox #immunity #selfcare #selfcompassion #acupunctureforeveryone @avamariedoodles See more

That feeling during acupuncture...

#ridingdirty - it’s laundry time. @taylorroades captured the Friday cruise down to the clinic laundry service. I wonder how much more I could stack on this bike...

Posture is not easy... Remember, a little bit goes a long way. With posture our body gets into habit like patterns and finds ways to support itself in those positions even if its out of balance or not good for us. With many working from home and not having supportive chairs this has become a theme lately. One hack I love for encouraging healthy posture is to sit with the sit bones towards the front of the chair, removing the propensity to have the pelvis pitch backwards with causes a strong slouch in the upper back. By sitting with the sit bones forward on the chair it stacks the pelvis and each vertebrae over each other. This removes the strain from the smaller muscle groups and into the skeleton. Initially it will be tiring, dont worry, the muscles will strengthen.

Black and white selfies. It isnt just a game of hot or not. Or an exercise in vanity. It is not just a mindless challenge that women are undertaking to post their sexiest snaps. These are some of the criticisms that this #challenge has faced. It is a very serious gesture of defiance in support of the Turkish Women (Turkey has one of the highest femicide rate), in support of Pinar Gultekin who was killed in the most violent manner, in support of every woman who has felt thre...atened and unsafe. This is show of solidarity to say that we stand together, we are unafraid, we are fed up of the lack of accountability for the perpetrators. This was started by Turkish women to say that they are appalled by the Turkish govt decision to withdraw from the Isanbul convention much like Poland. This is to say that no woman stands alone, we deserve to take up space, we are all #womensupportingwomen This is not just performative, this is hopefully not just tokenistic, this is for PINAR GULTEKIN, a woman of colour. Say her name!! Caption @drpragyaagarwal . . Thanks to @sudantiashtangayoga and @_papipastel for the nomination #challengeaccepted . . . #pinargultekin #turkishwomen #westandtogether #domesticviolenceawareness #genderbias #genderinequality #shatterpatriarchy #blackandwhitephoto #selfie #womenempowerment #pnargultekin #empoweringwomen #genderequity #genderequalityforall #nooneisfreeuntileveryoneisfree #feminismisforeverybody #womenofcolor #turkishwomen #womenofcolour See more

What is occupying your focus?

#nofilter #medicine Road riding on Saltspring Island while visiting family. Happy weekend everyone

Thank you @margiebellatextile for my beautiful new mask! The fabric is so soft and comfy- a welcomed upgrade!

GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT! Draw 1: @medditator Winning a 60 minute acupuncture session and a bag of delicious @elevenspeedcoffee ... Draw 2: @annamadlin Winning a 50$ gift card to Spruce Massage Therapy and a bag of delicious @elevenspeedcoffee. Thank you all for entering and sharing how youve been reading, watching, sharing, and donating towards the Black Lives Matter and antiracism movement.

GIVE AWAY TIME!! The time has come. In celebration of my new website www.sammylong.ca I have put together this giveaway. Since my website launch much has changed in the world. So Ive shifted things alittle bit. In place of a website scavenger hunt, to win one I these prizes I want you to share with me how youre participating in the movement to bring positive change in regards to racism and discrimination towards people of colour. ... Prize 1: 60 minute acupuncture session with me, @sammylongacupuncture (value $85), and a bag of delicious @elevenspeedcoffee coffee beans! Prize 2: a $50 gift card to Spruce Massage Therapy and a bag of delicious @elevenspeedcoffee coffee beans! To enter: 1. Like this post 2. Tag 3 people > each additional tag is another entry! 3. Follow @sammylongacupuncture and @elevenspeedcoffee 4. DM me a screen shot of what youre doing to support positive change and increase awareness in regards to racism/systemic discrimination. This can be a donation, sharing and promoting resources, or reading/listening/watching media. Contest closes Monday June 22 at noon. Good Luck! . . . . #contest #giveaway #competition #sweepstakes #win #prize #giveawaycontest #giveawayalert #giveaways #giveawaytime #free #instagiveaway #contestalert #chinesemedicine #yyj #traditionalchinesemedicine #acupuncture #medicine #wholsiticmedicine #TCM #announcement #quarantinegoals #newsite #websitelaunch #webdesign #marketing #instacontest #drinkcoffee #ridebikes #coffee

ITS AMAZING TO BE BACK! The limited hours in June have been booked up quickly but online booking has been re-opened for July so go ahead and save your spot The thorough protocols to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19 are feeling smooth and natural at this point. ... Stay safe, stay sane : @_avantblonde

Contest Sponsor Remember that scavenger hunt/Instagram contest I told you about? Well Ive got some great prizes coming your way... Im so jazzed to be sharing that @elevenspeedcoffee will be throwing a couple bags of their next level beans into the prize pot. Locally roasted and delivered by bike anywhere in the CRD, Kyles beans are something worth making yourself anxious over (you know that feeling when you have one too many cups of coffee?).... More details contest details coming soon!

Ah balance. What the heck does that look like anyways? Always shifting, the only one answer I can give you is that it depends... This image really spoke to me in relation to how many are feeling as B.C. begins to reopen and move into phase two. How much do I open my circle?, Can I hug my friends? My family??, Is it safe to go back into the office? How are you feeling? Do you feel torn? Relieved? ... . . . . #yinyang #heartmind #chinesemedicine #ease #yyj #traditionalchinesemedicine #wellness #bc #phse2 #covid19 #acupuncture #medicine #medicalknowledge #painfree #wholsiticmedicine #TCM # See more

Fair warning The yellow throne has taken a little break in the name of disinfection. For now, Id like to introduce you to its wipe-able (very) distant plastic cousin. One of many practices that have been put in place to keep everyone safe. . .... . . . #chinesemedicine #safetyfirst #functionbeforefashion #cdc #worksafebc #covid19 #ease #yyj #traditionalchinesemedicine #wellness #mask #acupuncture #medicine #medicalknowledge #painfree #wholsiticmedicine #TCM #announcement #quarantinegoals

Wow! Did you check that sun yesterday? I hope everyone had a lovely long weekend!

The new site is officially live!! www.sammylong.ca has had a revamp and I am so excited to you to see it. Over the next couple of weeks I will be launching new features and content and..... a scavenger hunt with prizes! So stay tuned I want to give a huge thank you to Leta C-W of Avant Blonde for doing the beautiful photography, Mary Rubin for being my glorious model, and Chelsea Resch for all her work editing content.

Tomorrow morning I will be launching my beautiful new updated website www.sammylong.ca! With this will come new features, media, and a fun little scavenger hunt that will be rolled out in the next couple weeks. I cant wait for you to see it!

Phase 2: as things begin to reopen, how is it feeling for you? This is a new experience for most of us. Do you feel excited? Anxious? Overwhelmed? THIS IS TOTALLY NORMAL and ABSOLUTELY OKAY. ... Deep breaths, slow and steady, we got this . . . . #chinesemedicine #yougotthis #together #spring #blossom #mentalhealth #slowandsimpledays #selfacceptance #ease #yyj #traditionalchinesemedicine #wellness #acupuncture #medicine #medicalknowledge #painfree #wholsiticmedicine #TCM #ifyoudontknownowyouknow #phase2 #reemerge #flattenthecurve

Exciting news! As many of you may have heard, as of May 15th BC will be moving into phase 2 of the COVID-19 response plan. Apart of this phase is that non-essential medical services can begin re-opening their doors. This still comes with alot of unknowns in regards to specifics. My licensing body is currently curating the plan for our practices and I will keep you updated as that plan unfolds. When I am able to re-open I will be doing so on a highly reduced schedule to ensur...e the safety of myself and clients. As for scheduling I will be working through the clients whos sessions were cancelled through March and April as well as referencing a waitlist. Online booking will not be re-opened until this first wave has settled, so please contact me directly. As soon as I know more specifics I will be reaching out. Thank you everyone! . . . . #flattenthecurve #bc #phase2 #covid19 #chinesemedicine #ease #yyj #traditionalchinesemedicine #wellness #excited #acupuncture #medicine #medicalknowledge #painfree #wholsiticmedicine #TCM #ifyoudontknownowyouknow

Mental Health Week We say were fine, even when the truth is were ecstatic, exhausted, grateful. Or even freaking out -#canadamentalhealthassociation. Authentic connection is a critical part of our mental health. Whos a safe person to share your true feelings with? A friend? Family member? Partner? Therapist? ... Acupuncture is a very effective therapy to calm and clear the mind. #naptime Acupuncture and being out in nature are my two favourite ways to ground and calm my thoughts. What are your choice ways to take care of your mental health? : @avant_blonde . . . . . . #chinesemedicine #yyj #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #mentalawarenesssmatters #ease #livewell #wellness #selfcare #selfhelp #mindfulness #drinkwater #traditionalchinesemedicine #quarantine #naturetherapy #acupuncture #acu #love

Allergy season got you down? Beyonce is here to show you a couple key acupressure points to relieve that pesky congestion and headache. You can do both sides at once and if youre extra dextrous you can do them all at the same time. You dont have to press hard so if its tender youve found the right spot! 1. At the height of the brow. 2. At the middle border of the brow. 3. At the height of the nostril.... Thanks #beyonce If you have any questions you can send me a DM, Beyoncs busy. . . . . #chinesemedicine #ease #yyj #traditionalchinesemedicine #wellness #acupuncture #medicine #medicalknowledge #painfree #wholsiticmedicine #TCM #ifyoudontknownowyouknow #beyonceknowles #allergyseason #seasonalallergyrelief #acupressure #selfhelp

-Monday Brainfood- Be strong, but not rude. Be kind, but not weak. Be humble, but not timid. Be proud, but not arrogant. Unknown #TodaysMantra Repost: @theartidote artwork by @tano.motisi... . . . #chinesemedicine #yyj #atomichabits #habit #ease #livewell #wellness #quarantinegoals #goals #selfcare #read #book #selfhelp #mindfulness #drinkwater #traditionalchinesemedicine #quarantine #bookworm #quotes #theartidote #quoteoftheday #mondaymotivation #monday

April was quite something, wouldnt you agree? Happy Friday, you made it I hope you get some time to enjoy the sun and smell the flowers. ... . . . #chinesemedicine #ease #yyj #traditionalchinesemedicine #wellness #acupuncture #medicine #medicalknowledge #painfree #wholsiticmedicine #TCM #ifyoudontknownowyouknow #flowers #tgif #may #spring #getoutside #naturetherapy

Hi Im Sammy, R.ac. I havent done an intro on here before so here are a few fast facts about me: Ive been studying Chinese medicine since 2013 and have only become more obsessed since. I originally started in western medicine with the aim of becoming a cardiovascular paediatrician (I still love paediatrics).... Prior to opening my clinic I was a tree planter for 7 years. #veteran #thebodyneverforgets I am 1 year away from finishing the Doctor of Chinese Medicine program here in Victoria BC. During my teens I was a nationally ranked and sponsored skateboarder. Dirt is far more forgiving so Ive switched to mountain biking and cyclocross to satisfy my need for speed. . . . . #aboutme #funfacts #needforspeed #chinesemedicine #ease #yyj #treeplanting #mountainbike #mountainbikes #cyclocross #traditionalchinesemedicine #wellness #acupuncture #medicine #medicalknowledge #painfree #wholsiticmedicine #TCM #ifyoudontknownowyouknow See more

When we are stressed a fight or flight response occurs that removes our energy from digestion. This is a great mechanism if we are in danger and need to GTFO fast though often thats not the case. Signs youre in this state include bloating, sluggish digestion, reflux, irregular bowel movements, and a tired but wired feeling. How to get out of it? ... Go for a walk (leave the tech at home) Meditate Take deep breaths before meals And for goodness sakes get yourself some acupuncture when this darn pandemic settles down. . . . . . #acupuncture #chinesemedicine #ibs #digestion #liverqistagnation #stress #chinesemedicine #ease #yyj #traditionalchinesemedicine #wellness #acupuncture #medicine #medicalknowledge #painfree #wholsiticmedicine #TCM #ifyoudontknownowyouknow

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself. - Rumi . . . #onestepatatime #chinesemedicine #ease #yyj #traditionalchinesemedicine #wellness #rumi #rumiquote #quote... #acupuncture #medicine #medicalknowledge #painfree #wholsiticmedicine #TCM #selfcare #work #selfwork #selfworkmatters See more

A brilliant share from a client. I am currently taking a poll as to whos interested

Looking up Its all about perspective

Answer: extremely small. See that hypodermic needle? Thats the one that most people associated with medical needles that bring on chills from middle school flu shots. 40 acupuncture needles can fit into that jerk (see pic 2). . Conclusion? Acupuncture doesnt hurt. My clients rarely feel the needles going in. When this pandemic settles down Id love to show you myself .... . . . #chinesemedicine #ease #yyj #traditionalchinesemedicine #wellness #acupuncture #medicine #medicalknowledge #painfree #wholsiticmedicine #TCM #ifyoudontknownowyouknow See more

Happy Earth Day from the woods of beautiful Mt Work! It was a wet one today but I hope over the last weeks of lovely weather youve gotten some time outside. Ill be heading back to the mountain tomorrow morning- what medicine! . .... . . #getoutside #earthday #medicine #mothernature #alternativemedicine #bike #trek #mountainbike #fuelex8 #purple #flowers @ Mount Work See more

COVID-19 Clinic Update - closure extension, a delicious recipe, perspective during the great reset, and more! All included in the most recent newsletter. DM with with your email to be added to the mailing list. I promise I wont spam you ;)

So many incredible meditation and mindfulness activities being shared these days. Heres a personal favourite from the @kwenchcultureclub Repost @kwenchcultureclub: Were leaning pretty hard on our meditations and breathing right now to help us stay calm, control anxiety, and gain some perspective on current events (oh and maybe deliveries from @empiredonut are helping too). Weve found some great organizations creating and releasing FREE meditations to help us foster good mental health right now (some offer language options and kids meditations too). A few of our favourites at the club are: @headspace @smilingmind and @sbtbreathe. And over at The Craic with KWENCH we have weekly Mindfulness on Mondays at 8.30am and Breathwork on Tuesdays at 9am, Zoom link in our bio to join. #kwenchcultureclub

UFO or Mushroom? . . . .... #mushroom #getoutside #ufo #extraterrestrial #nature #hike #yyj #naturetherapy #tbt #freshair #fresh #mycelium #forrest See more

Happy Long Weekend! I hope you have a lovely time in this gorgeous Victoria weather

Who else is missing those delicious ac-u-naps??! I sure am. . . . .... #acunap #acupuncture #chinesemedicine #traditionalchinesemedicine #selfcare #youtime #tcm #naptime #longweekend #selfcare #medicine See more

HABITS This word is often used towards vices such as smoking or drinking coffee. Theyre so much more than that! Habits are present in our everyday process. The order we get ready for our day or shut things down for the night, where we put our keys when we get home, going to the gym after work - the list goes on. We can harness the human tendency towards habits to our advantage. A habit is something we dont have to think about, and often do daily. If we can make things ...like drinking water, receiving treatment, or pausing for 3 intentional deep breaths a habit we can create ease through integration within our wellness. My challenge to you: what is something youve been meaning to do more of for your wellness? For me its drink more water. Now, take that thing and link it to something thats already a habit/part of your routine. For me, Ive inserted drinking a glass of water before I reach for my coffee grinder in the morning- Ive added drinking water into a sequence of events I already have integrated in my day. Its that easy! Whats something youve been wanting to do more of? Book pictured: #atomichabits by @jamesclear

Movement is a form of medicine. . . . .... #getoutside #move #naturetherapy #nature #kettlebell #mace #functionalpatterns #innovativefitness #medicine #wellness #quaratine #homegym #yoga #yyj #acupuncture See more

RECIPE TIME: RED DATE & GOJI BERRY TEA This is a very simple but effective formula. Often used to build blood, support healthy menses, calm the mind and level mood, support healthy skin, ease insomnia, and more. ... Share any questions or thoughts below. Happy sipping

Take care, everyone