From elite BMX racing to holistic healing, Morinville acupuncturist shares passion for whole-body wellness

By Shelley Winger
Professional BMX racing may seem worlds away from acupuncture and holistic healing, but
for Dr. Daina Tuchscherer, the connection between athletics, recovery and whole-body
wellness has shaped the path of her career.
Dr. Daina Tuchscherer operates Sea and Sage Wellness out of Hair and Holistics in
Morinville, where she provides acupuncture and holistic wellness treatments focused on
whole-body healing and nervous system support.
Tuchscherer combines her experience as a former Canadian National Team BMX racer with
her passion for Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture to help patients manage
everything from stress and sleep concerns to chronic pain and hormonal health.
Tuchscherer spent seven years competing as a professional BMX racer on the Canadian
National Team, travelling internationally for events including the Pan American Games and
the Olympic Test Event in Tokyo. During those years, she experienced firsthand the physical
and mental demands high-level athletes face and the importance of proper recovery and
rehabilitation.
“During that time, I received treatment from an incredible sports chiropractor and
physiotherapist, Dr. Jen Turner, who helped keep us healthy, recovering, and performing at
our best,” said Tuchscherer.
After retiring from professional racing, she continued coaching with both the Alberta BMX
Team and the Canadian National Team. It was during that time she began seriously
considering a future in healthcare.
“One day she asked me what I wanted to do with my life, and I remember thinking, ‘I want
to do what you do,’” Tuchscherer said.
While completing her kinesiology degree during the pandemic, she discovered Traditional
Chinese Medicine and acupuncture on a much deeper level and quickly became fascinated
by the interconnected nature of the body.
“I realized acupuncture was about so much more than pain relief; it was about helping the

body return to balance as a whole,” she said.
Today, her practice focuses on a gentle and holistic approach to healing that considers
stress, sleep, digestion, hormones, emotional wellbeing and lifestyle together rather than
treating symptoms in isolation.

Many people still associate acupuncture primarily with pain management, but Tuchscherer
says the treatment can support a wide range of conditions and concerns.
She commonly works with patients experiencing stress, anxiety, insomnia, headaches,
digestion concerns, menstrual health, menopause symptoms, fertility support, TMJ
dysfunction, nervous system regulation and autoimmune-related symptoms.
“In Chinese Medicine, we work with channels and meridians — pathways believed to help
circulate energy, blood, and communication throughout the body,” she explained. “That’s
why symptoms that may seem unrelated can often be connected beneath the surface.”
Tuchscherer says research continues to explore acupuncture’s effects on the nervous
system, circulation, inflammation and stress regulation, and many patients seek treatment
as part of a broader wellness approach alongside conventional medical care.
She also incorporates Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal recommendations into patient
care and says she especially enjoys facial rejuvenation acupuncture, which can support
concerns beyond cosmetic wellness alone.
“While many people initially think of it cosmetically, it can also support sinus congestion,
TMJ dysfunction, stress, hormones, acne, circulation, and nervous system regulation,” she
said.
For those hesitant to try acupuncture for the first time, Tuchscherer says one of the biggest
misconceptions is that the treatment is painful.
“The needles are incredibly tiny,” she said. “Most patients are surprised that they barely feel
them at all and often end up deeply relaxed or even falling asleep during treatment.”
She says creating a calm, supportive environment is one of the most important parts of her
practice.
“I hope people feel safe, welcomed, and genuinely cared for,” said Tuchscherer. “I want the

clinic to feel like a calming space where patients can slow down, take a breath, and
reconnect with themselves.”
Tuchscherer says her goal is for patients to leave feeling more balanced, hopeful and
supported in their health journey.
“I want people to know they don’t have to navigate their wellness journey alone,” she said.
“Sea and Sage Wellness is a place where they can feel supported every step of the way.”