Get right to the point

An unfortunate encounter with a sea urchin set the path for Beverly Osachoff's career.

"I was on holiday and went for a swim and didn’t see some sea urchins," said Osachoff. "I got some spikes in my hand and about six weeks later my hand was still swollen like a grapefruit. I decided I needed some help and went to see an acupuncturist. I had a couple treatments and everything went back to normal. I thought, 'Hey, this is cool stuff.' I never looked back."

Osachoff was educated both in Burnaby and in Nelson, before returning to the West Kootenay and acting as a locum in other practices. While visiting family in Grand Forks, she discovered a need for a permanent acupuncturist. Early in 2011, she opened Yaletown Acupuncture and said that the community has been exceptionally supportive.

Osachoff said her practice covers many aspects of traditional Chinese medicine, including herbs, massage and acupuncture. She treats all ages, from infants to seniors, and enjoys how her career requires her to tailor her work to individual needs.

For those afraid of needles, fear not—Osachoff caters to first-timers and the nervous.

"You can probably fit 15 to 20 acupuncture needles in the core of a hypodermic syringe," she said. "People are already in pain—it's not my job to give them more."

Check out the Yaletown Acupuncture website, or call 250-442-9662.