Frequently asked questions

For most people, no. Acupuncture needles are about the width of a human hair and much finer than the needle used for a blood test, so insertion is usually not felt. Once a needle is in place you may feel a dull heaviness, a mild ache, or a sensation that travels along the limb. This means the point is active. It should not be a sharp or burning pain, and if it is, tell your practitioner and the needle will be adjusted.

Yes. Every needle we use is sterile, single-use and disposable. Needles come in sealed packages that are opened in front of you. Each needle is discarded after one use and is never reused or shared between patients.

It depends on the problem, how long you have had it, and how your body responds, so we give you an estimate at the end of your first visit rather than a fixed number. A recent strain usually needs fewer visits than a problem that has built up over years. We review your progress as we go. If treatment is not helping, we will tell you.

Some people notice a change after the first treatment, while longer-standing problems usually take more visits before the change is clear. At your first visit we tell you roughly how long before you should notice something. If you are not seeing the change we expected, we discuss it with you and adjust the plan.

Tui na is a Chinese medical massage chosen and applied according to a Chinese medicine diagnosis, while a regular massage is usually aimed at general relaxation or muscle tension. Tui na uses rolling, pressing, kneading and mobilizing techniques on specific channels, points and joints, such as the neck and lower back. It is usually firmer and more focused than a relaxation massage. It can be done fully clothed.

Acupuncture is part of a complete system of Chinese medicine with its own diagnosis, while dry needling is a single technique used by some other health professions to release tight muscle bands. Both use the same kind of fine, solid needle. In acupuncture, points are chosen from an assessment of your whole condition, including sleep, digestion and stress, not only where it hurts. At our clinic acupuncture is provided by registered practitioners (R. Ac or R. TCMP).

Cupping marks usually do not hurt, and they fade over several days. The marks are round and range from light pink to dark red or purple. They may feel slightly tender when pressed, similar to how you feel after a deep massage. If you have an event where the marks would show, tell us and we will plan around it.

Moxibustion feels like a gentle, spreading warmth. We burn moxa, a dried herb, near the skin or on the handle of a needle, and keep the heat at a comfortable level. Many people find it very relaxing. Tell us straight away if any spot feels too hot and we will adjust it.

Yes. Many of our appointments combine acupuncture with tui na, cupping or moxibustion, and we choose the mix based on your assessment. If you would like a particular combination, mention it when you book or at the start of your visit.

Chinese medicine can be used during pregnancy, but some acupuncture points and some herbs are avoided, so tell us at your first visit if you are pregnant or might be. We adjust point selection, technique and any herbal prescription to suit pregnancy. Keep your doctor or midwife informed about treatment with us. If you have bleeding, pain or any other concern during pregnancy, see your doctor or midwife first.

Children can be treated from infancy, with the technique adapted to their age. For babies and young children we use pediatric tui na, a gentle massage with no needles and no medication, for problems such as spit-up after feeds, poor appetite and restless sleep. Sessions are short and most children find them soothing. A child with a high fever, breathing difficulty, persistent vomiting or any acute illness needs to see a physician first. Ask us about your child.

Some Chinese herbs can interact with prescription medications, so tell us everything you take at your first visit. Bring a list of your medications and supplements, and we will check it before prescribing and avoid herbs that are not suitable alongside them. This matters most with blood thinners, diabetes and blood pressure medication, and before surgery. Do not stop or change a prescribed medication without talking to your doctor.

No. You do not need a referral to book with us. Some insurance plans ask for a physician's referral before they will pay a claim, so check your plan if you intend to claim.

Most Ontario extended health plans include coverage for acupuncture, and the amount varies by plan. OHIP does not cover acupuncture. We provide receipts with the practitioner's registration number so you can submit a claim. We do not bill insurers directly. Check two things with your plan: your annual maximum, and whether a physician's referral is required, because some plans still ask for one.

Most Ontario extended health plans include coverage for massage therapy by a registered massage therapist (RMT), and the amount varies by plan. OHIP does not cover massage therapy. Your receipt shows the RMT's registration number so you can submit a claim. Check your annual maximum and whether your plan asks for a referral.

No. We do not bill insurers directly. You pay at the end of your visit by cash, debit or credit card, and we give you a receipt with your practitioner's registration number to submit to your plan.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Sleeves and trouser legs that roll up above the elbow and knee make it easy to reach common acupuncture points. Only the area being treated is exposed, and you are draped throughout. Tui na can be done fully clothed.

Your first appointment is 60 or 90 minutes, and you choose the length when you book. It includes the assessment, your first treatment and a plan for what comes next. After booking you will receive an email with a link to complete your intake and consent forms online before you arrive.

We consult in Mandarin as well as English. If you would prefer Cantonese, please text (647) 209-2468 before booking to ask.

Our Barrie clinic is at 41 Livia Herman Way, Barrie. To enter the clinic, please take the stairway on the left down into the basement. If you have any questions about parking or finding us, text (647) 209-2468. Directions for both locations are on our contact page.

You can change or cancel your appointment online up to 24 hours before it starts. Within 24 hours, please call the clinic at (647) 209-2468.

Chinese medicine can help with some causes of difficulty conceiving, but it does not replace a medical fertility workup. Both partners should be investigated by a physician before or alongside treatment with us. If there is a structural cause, such as blocked tubes, Chinese medicine alone will not resolve it and we will tell you so at the first visit. It contributes most on the functional side: irregular cycles without a clear structural cause, mild PCOS, unpredictable ovulation and the effects of long-term stress. Treatment is organized around your cycle and runs over several cycles, and we treat male partners as well.

Yes. Many patients use acupuncture and Chinese medicine before and during IVF or IUI cycles. The aim is to support ovarian response and the uterine lining, and to ease the bloating, poor sleep and emotional strain that stimulation can cause. Tell both your fertility clinic and us what you are doing, because we need to know your medication protocol. Chinese medicine works alongside your fertility treatment, not in place of it.

Chinese medicine may still be able to help, because it looks at patterns in sleep, digestion, temperature, energy and stress that standard tests are not designed to measure. Normal results are useful because they rule out many serious problems. Our assessment looks at how your whole system is working, and treatment is aimed at the pattern we find. If anything suggests you need further medical investigation, we will tell you.