Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete system of healing that has been widely practiced for thousands of years. TCM Practitioners understand health as being a state of dynamic balance both internally & with the environment. Using various diagnostic tools, including tongue, pulse & facial diagnosis - and by gaining a complete & thorough understanding of each patient's health history, constitutional strengths & weaknesses - TCM Practitioners make a diagnosis & unique treatment plan for each patient. A TCM Practitioner has completed a five-year diploma program & has extensive training in using acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicines, & other tools to help their patients. Chinese medicine & acupuncture have been a regulated health profession in Ontario since 2013. Most extended health insurance plans cover acupuncture from a TCM Practitioner.

If you are suffering from any of these conditions, TCM acupuncture may be able to help:

• physical pain & tension (eg: back, neck, shoulders, etc)

• anxiety & depression

• insomnia

• headaches

• arthritic pain

• sciatica

• tendonitis

• menstrual conditions (eg: PMS, painful periods, endometriosis, etc.)

• infertility

FAQ’s & Expectations

Upon booking, you will receive confirmation of your appointment & a link to a health history form.

When you arrive, you will sit with your practitioner & go over your health concerns and goals. The Practitioner will ask you lots of questions about your symptoms & your health history in general (be prepared for seemingly random questions - in the eyes of a TCM practitioner, all information is relevant!).

Your practitioner will then feel your pulse on your wrist & take a look at your tongue. This compliments our understanding of your health concerns that we gathered through talking.

The treatment plan will be thoroughly explained & you will be given privacy to get comfortable on the massage table. Most people undress like they would for a massage.

Treatments often consist of acupuncture followed by massage &, often times, cupping therapy.

Here are some commonly asked questions:

1. DOES IT HURT?
   The short answer is no. Some points can cause some discomfort but it is minor and should subside right away. Certain sensations might be felt, such as a dull ache, warmth, tingling or tightness. This is normal. Some needles you won’t feel at all - also normal. If any points are overtly painful, we simply remove them.

2. HOW BIG ARE THE NEEDLES?
   Quite small. You can fit 6 or more acupuncture needles in the hollow part of a needle that you would get at your doctor’s.

3. HOW LONG DO THEY STAY IN?
   We keep needles in for 20-25 min. Once you are comfortable, your practitioner dims the light, steps out, and allows you relax with the music and heated table.

4. WHAT IS CUPPING THERAPY?
   Cupping is the application of either glass or silicone cups to the body. A suction is created to lift the top layers of fascial tissue. Cupping is used to increase circulation, decrease physical tension and pain. It feels wonderful. It can leave ‘cupping marks’ but these are temporary and tend to resolve within 1-7 days.

5. WHAT KIND OF MASSAGE DOES A TCM PRACTITIONER DO?
   We are trained in a form of massage called Tui Na. We use our knowledge of the body and acupuncture points to guide the treatment. At Haven Healthcare, acupuncture treatments are always finished with some tui na massage (and our patients love it!).

We love introducing people to this medicine. If you are an acupuncture newbie, don’t hesitate to reach out with all your questions! We will make sure that acupuncture treatments are a positive and relaxing treatment for you.