A Journey That Crossed Continents and Clinics
Fifteen years ago, a small clinic opened on Richmond Road in Westboro with a mission: to bring a new kind of integrative care to Ottawa. Today, Sunrise Neuro Acupuncture Integrative Clinic is known for combining Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and neurological acupuncture to support people with neurological conditions, speech delays, stroke recovery, women’s health issues, digestive disorders, and cancer-related symptom management.
Known as a trusted acupuncture clinic in Ottawa, it has welcomed patients not only from across Ottawa but also from Montreal, Toronto, and even the U.S. Many seek support for children, post-injury recovery for adults, or holistic approaches to aging well for seniors.
The clinic’s founder, Denis Grounin, didn’t begin his journey in a classroom – it began on a Judo mat. As a professional athlete competing in Judo and Boxing, Denis faced constant injuries, but one severe knee injury changed everything. Searching for relief, he discovered acupuncture and what started as a personal recovery turned into a lifelong calling.
Over the next three decades, Denis immersed himself in Traditional Chinese Medicine, studying in China, India, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and North America. At the same time, he built a career in healthcare, working for 15 years in emergency and intensive care units (ICUs) in Canada and abroad. This rare combination frontline hospital experience and deep knowledge of TCM – gave Denis a unique perspective on healing, blending modern clinical understanding with time-tested traditional approaches.
“Westboro has been our home for 15 years, we’ve grown with this community and watched entire families come through our doors.”
Denis has dedicated years to giving back through volunteer work, from supporting communities in India to offering charity treatments for families in need here in Canada, as well as organizing food collections for those facing hardship.
Neuro Acupuncture: The Core of Sunrise Clinic’s Approach
At Sunrise Neuro Acupuncture Integrative Clinic, neuro acupuncture is not just one of many services, it is the foundation of the clinic’s integrative care. While rooted in the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this advanced method goes further by targeting points along the nervous system that correspond to specific brain regions and pathways involved in movement, speech, and sensory processing.
By combining traditional meridian theory with modern neuroanatomy, neuro acupuncture bridges Eastern and Western medical perspectives.
How Neuro Acupuncture Works
Treatment begins with a thorough assessment, often blending traditional diagnostics like pulse analysis with modern neurological and musculoskeletal evaluations. This dual approach allows practitioners to identify not just symptoms, but the pathways and areas of the nervous system most affected.
Ultra-thin needles are then placed at specific points that correspond to these neurological pathways. Unlike standard acupuncture, which focuses on general balance and energy flow, neuro acupuncture directly engages the nervous system, helping support neuroplasticity and functional improvement in targeted areas. For many newcomers, the idea of acupuncture still brings hesitation, often due to fear of needles. Denis reassures them: “Most people only know needles from blood tests or vaccinations. Acupuncture needles are different, about a bit more than the width of a human hair, and five to ten times thinner than an injection needle. People are often surprised when they realize they barely feel them.”
Modern Adaptations: Laser and Electro Neuro Acupuncture
To enhance outcomes, neuro acupuncture at Sunrise Clinic is often combined with modern techniques:
- Laser acupuncture offers a needle-free option, especially useful for children or those sensitive to needles, while still targeting neurological points.
- Electro acupuncture applies mild electrical stimulation to the needles, amplifying the signals sent through the nervous system and supporting recovery in conditions like stroke or nerve injury.
Beyond Needles: Herbal Medicine in Neurological Care
While neuro acupuncture is the clinic’s focus, it is complemented by herbal medicine consultations. Customized formulas are used to support nervous system health, energy levels, digestion, and hormonal balance, addressing the broader body systems that affect neurological recovery. Each formula is carefully selected for quality and tailored to work alongside neuro acupuncture and other therapies, ensuring a whole-person approach.
15 Years of Community in Westboro
“I don’t believe in choosing between Eastern and Western medicine – I believe in taking the best of both for the patient’s benefit,” says Denis Grounin, founder of Sunrise Neuro Acupuncture Integrative Clinic.
“Being an athlete taught me resilience. Working in ICU taught me to act decisively in critical moments. Practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 30 years across multiple continents taught me that there is no Eastern or Western medicine. There is only medicine that treats the human being as a whole.”
This perspective shapes how Sunrise Neuro Acupuncture Integrative Clinic approaches care. Rather than focusing only on a single symptom, Denis considers the body’s full narrative – past injuries, stress patterns, emotional load, and daily habits to uncover why imbalances occur and how to restore harmony.
Denis’s dual background, combining frontline ICU experience with decades of TCM allows him to communicate seamlessly with both patients and healthcare providers. This bridge between modern clinical understanding and traditional approaches has fostered trust not only within the local community but also among professionals who value collaborative care.
Sunrise Neuro Acupuncture Integrated Clinic will be starting to host Tai Chi classes at Churchill Seniors Centre. First classes are on September 14th and October 5th from 10 AM to 12 PM. Register now to join them for some meditation in motion!
About the author
Eliz Maiboroda is the Chief Marketing Officer at Sunrise Neuro Acupuncture Integrative Clinic, where she leads daily operations, community outreach, and strategic growth with a background as a Chinese linguist and years spent living in China, and with over a decade of international B2B SaaS marketing operations experience, Eliz brings global insight and a passion for holistic health, integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine into modern Ottawa life.
She actively supports local cultural initiatives and champions projects that bridge traditional healing with contemporary wellness.
