INUVIK - We all know the main outline of how to take care of ourselves - drink lots of water, eat healthy foods and incorporate some activity and laughter in our lives.

Cindy MacArthur receives her first acupuncture treatment from Cynthia Wicks during Tuesday night's auricular acupuncture session at the Interagency Building. - Kira Curtis/NNSL photos

But it's the unseen stresses that can weigh heavily on a person's well being. Debts, work projects and broken commitments can keep people up at night, cause teeth clenching and create a tight knot in some muscles. However, these nagging worries can be relieved through the more than 3,000-year-old art of acupuncture.

"Every day we all feel anxiety, even the slightest little worry, maybe about money or kids or work, that's anxiety," said trained acupuncturist Cynthia Wicks from the Interagency Building behind the Igloo Church.

Starting last month, Wicks began offering group acupuncture clinics every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Interagency Building, and it's beginning to stir interest.

As soon as one enters the trailer, the smell of scented candles is paired with relaxing, spa-like instrumentals.

Wicks creates a simple but peaceful place to come together and, in a group setting, experience the sensation of acupuncture.

"Mostly people think acupuncture is used for some type of pain relief," Wicks said as she greeted five new clients, who each sat a little nervously around the room. "And while it is used for pain, and research shows it does help with chronic pain especially, I've known some doctors that trained me have used it for reproduction, fertility in women."

Wicks, a registered counselling therapist, went into acupuncture training in the spring of 2009 in Halifax.

"It's also especially useful for addictions," Wicks said, illustrating that it's not just addiction to drugs and alcohol, but other vices like food or smoking.

Wicks locked the door slightly after 7 p.m. to make sure the 40-minute session hasn't interrupted, which she said is important. Even if her 13 seats aren't filled, there's no late-comers to this class. It needs to be uninterrupted so the group can focus.

"Group acupuncture is more beneficial than getting acupuncture alone, because when you're in a positive environment where other people are finding balance and peace and feeling relaxed, you're going to start to feel that," Wicks said.

Three of the 13 seats Wicks donates to staff, volunteers or clientele of the homeless shelter, leaving 10 spaces available for people to see what it's like or come back for more.

As each of the five clients finished the session, they reported their experience. All comments were positive and possibly a little surprised they were able to relax for 40 minutes with 10 needles sticking out of their ears.

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