Monica Ander

Dr. Monica Ander is a Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization, awarded through the Pacific College of Health and Science in the United States. Although her doctoral degree was completed through a U.S.-based institution, her foundational and comprehensive Traditional Chinese Medicine education was rooted in Canada, where she completed a rigorous 3,450-hour Diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine after four and a half years of full-time study. She is currently licensed in British Columbia as a Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCMP) and Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac), and she also holds a Diploma in Manual Osteopathic Practice (D.OMP).

With more than twenty years of hands-on clinical experience, Dr. Ander has cultivated a reputation for integrative, patient-centered pain management. Her career began in 1998 as a personal trainer, where she developed a deep appreciation for human movement and anatomy. This foundation expanded into advanced training in therapeutic massage, including Thai Massage, Therapeutic Touch, Trigger Point Therapy, Raindrop Therapy, and Thai Herbal Compress Massage.

Her dedication to clinical excellence led her into Traditional Chinese Medicine, where she received extensive training in acupuncture, herbal medicine, and internal disorders—all completed in Nelson, British Columbia. She remains registered through the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of BC.

To further focus on acute and chronic pain care, Dr. Ander pursued certification in Injection Therapy and Prolotherapy, completing a one-year apprenticeship with Dr. Joel Kailia, MD. Although regulatory changes no longer permit these services, this mentorship deeply strengthened her anatomical precision and diagnostic skill.

Her ongoing commitment to manual therapies culminated in earning a Diploma in Manual Osteopathy, allowing her to integrate osteopathic principles with acupuncture—a combination known for its powerful effectiveness in treating complex pain conditions.

Dr. Ander has also contributed to sports medicine as the Manual Osteopath and Acupuncturist for the Trail Smoke Eaters Junior A Hockey Team, providing rapid, evidence-informed care for acute injuries.

Beyond clinical practice, she is a dedicated professor at Kootenay Columbia College of Integrative Health Sciences, teaching core subjects in acupuncture and integrative medicine. Her academic role enables her to stay current, engaged, and continually learning while helping develop the next generation of practitioners.

Dr. Ander’s practice style centers on attentive listening, compassionate care, and precision-based treatment. She is especially devoted to supporting individuals who feel discouraged by chronic pain or have been told there are no further options—believing that there is always a meaningful next step to explore.

With deep clinical experience, advanced doctoral training, and long-standing roots in Canadian TCM education, Dr. Monica Ander remains committed to supporting each patient’s unique pathway to healing.