Registered Acupuncturists at Access Acupuncture in Dartmouth, NS
Christian Saint-Pierre, R.Ac
As a registered acupuncturist, Christian has spent most of his adult life analyzing & integrating both the classical & cutting-edge concepts of acupuncture.
Early Training & Practice
In his teens, he learned how to treat sports injuries with Chinese Massage & herbal ointments during his Kung Fu training. In 2002, he moved to Nelson BC in order to study acupuncture at the Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences.
After receiving his acupuncturist certification in 2005, he practiced & continued studying so as to better help his patients & his community.
In so doing, Christian developed a great interest in pre-Maoist acupuncture, chrono-acupuncture & Daoist medicine.
Post-Graduate Study
In early 2010, he met the late great Dr. Richard Tan & discovered the Balance Method; an authentic, stunningly effective Taiwanese system of acupuncture & Chinese medicine, rooted in Daoist philosophy & practice.
Without a doubt, this was exactly what Christian had been looking for. The logical, comprehensive system resonated deeply with Christian, who began practicing the Balance Method exclusively.
Christian then spent nearly 5 years studying with Dr. Tan, learning & acquiring the Balance Method’s skills of acupuncture, FengShui, BaZi & QiGong.
Before Dr Tan’s death in 2014, while in Paris, he named Christian as “one of the best Balance Method practitioners ”.
Christian is one of ten practitioners in Canada to hold the highest level of certification in The Balance Method. He is also a certified BaZi consultant & YiJing practitioner. He taught for the Academy of Acupuncture in San Diego for 5 years, & now teaches the Balance Method independently to local practitioners.
Access Acupuncture Begins & Evolves
In 2012, Christian eventually moved to Cornwall & opened an acupuncture clinic with his wife, Julie. After seven years of successful practice in Cornwall, Christian moved to Nova Scotia with his family. He now practices at Access Acupuncture in Dartmouth, NS. He lives with his family in Halifax.
Christian is a registered acupuncturist with the Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of Nova Scotia (ATCMANS). He was formerly & registered with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners & Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO).
Julie Saint-Pierre, R.Ac
Championing Wellness, One Family at a Time
Julie’s journey into acupuncture began with a personal miracle. In 2005, after enduring a series of life-threatening allergic reactions, she turned to acupuncture—and within just twelve sessions, she astonished her allergist by reintroducing 15 of 16 previously forbidden foods. This transformative healing sparked a calling: to help others reclaim their health with the same hope and precision.
Julie graduated in 2012 from the International Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Ottawa. During her final school year, she encountered the powerful Balance Method taught by Dr. Tan, which became the cornerstone of her signature approach—grounded, intuitive, and results-driven.
In 2017, Julie founded Access Acupuncture KIDS, the only pediatric acupuncture clinic in Ontario. She’s since helped hundreds of children—from babies as young as 3 months to teens—overcome conditions like asthma, anxiety, menstrual disorders, and chronic pain, often reducing or eliminating their need for medications.
Now based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Julie offers compassionate and comprehensive care in fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and pediatric acupuncture. Her work is deeply rooted in connection—with her patients, their families, and the wider healthcare community. She treats patients weekly at The Perinatal Wellness Centre and is the only acupuncturist in Atlantic Canada registered with the Obstetrical Acupuncture Association. She also offers Nova Scotia’s only Mother Roasting treatments—a deeply restorative postpartum ritual rooted in traditional wisdom.
Julie is a certified practitioner through Maternity Acupuncture Mentoring & Peer Support (MAMPS), a global collective of elite perinatal acupuncturists. She also partners with women’s pelvic health specialists to address complex hormonal, bladder, and gynecological issues through natural, integrated strategies.
Beyond the clinic, Julie is a proud Francophone and an active member of the Centre for Women in Business, where she uplifts fellow women entrepreneurs and helps amplify their impact. She is committed to creating bridges between healthcare professionals and supporting a vibrant, inclusive community.
Julie doesn’t just practice acupuncture—she lives it. With every needle, conversation, and collaboration, she brings heart, expertise, and the belief that healing is not only possible—it’s powerful.
James Hagen, R.Ac
A Balanced Approach to Healing
James Hagen is a registered acupuncturist based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, who brings a unique blend of scientific understanding and holistic philosophy to his practice. Born in Colorado Springs and raised with a passion for martial arts, James’s path to acupuncture was paved with both personal experience and academic pursuit.
After completing an Honors Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario in 2014, James found himself sidelined from his beloved martial arts due to debilitating back and knee pain. It was through the transformative power of acupuncture that he was able to heal and return to his active lifestyle. This profound experience ignited a passion for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), leading him to pursue a Diploma of Acupuncture at the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in Halifax, which he completed in 2024.
Now settled in Halifax, James is dedicated to helping others achieve optimal health and well-being through acupuncture. He is particularly drawn to the Balance Method, a contemporary approach to acupuncture that emphasizes a systematic and precise application of TCM principles. He continually refines his skills by studying and practicing with experienced practitioners Christian and Julie.
Beyond his professional life, James remains a dedicated martial artist, currently training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kung Fu. His lifelong journey through martial arts, which began with Karate at the age of 10 and evolved to include Kickboxing, has instilled in him discipline, focus, and a deep understanding of the body’s mechanics. He also finds creative expression through music, playing bass guitar in “Apéro,” a local Halifax band. His interests extend to breakdancing and delving into the depths of Chinese philosophy and metaphysics, reflecting his multifaceted personality and commitment to personal growth.
James Hagen’s unique background, combining scientific knowledge with a holistic approach and a passion for personal development, makes him a dedicated and insightful practitioner in the field of acupuncture.