About
Banafsheh Mosayyebi is a dedicated Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac). Practicing at ALIGN HOLISTIC HEALTH CLINIC in Thornhill, ON, she is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, adhering to the standards set by The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario.
Her role involves providing skilled acupuncture treatments for a wide variety of common health concerns, including pain management (musculoskeletal pain, headaches), stress reduction, sleep issues, and general wellness support. Banafsheh focuses on using acupuncture to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and restore energetic balance according to TCM principles. She serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, ensuring personalized care tailored to each individual's needs.
Banafsheh completed her R. Ac (Graduating Class of 2014) and has accumulated over 10 years of dedicated practice since then. She is committed to ongoing professional development and maintaining the highest standards of TCM practice. She has a particular interest in further training in areas such as acupuncture, always striving to enhance her skills and knowledge to better serve her patients.
Her practice philosophy emphasizes preventative care and patient education (Zhì Wèi Bìng - Treat a disease before it occurs), empowering individuals to maintain their well-being. Banafsheh is dedicated to providing individualized treatments based on precise TCM pattern differentiation, ensuring that each person receives care that is uniquely suited to their constitution and condition. She offers consultations in English, making her accessible to a diverse patient population.
Banafsheh Mosayyebi provides skilled Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:
Digestive Gastrointestinal
- Nausea & Vomiting (e.g., Morning Sickness, Post-Chemotherapy): Harmonizing the Stomach Qi and directing its rebellious upward flow downwards to alleviate feelings of queasiness and prevent vomiting.
- Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis (IBD) - Supportive TCM Care: Holistic and integrative TCM care to help modulate the immune response, alleviate abdominal pain and diarrhea, and support overall digestive health in individuals with Crohn's or colitis.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Bloating, Gas & Functional Digestive Upset: TCM strategies to identify and manage dietary and emotional triggers for digestive distress, improve nutrient absorption, and restore comfortable and regular bowel function.
Mental Emotional Sleep
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support (TCM): Acupuncture and TCM therapies to help regulate the nervous system, calm an overactive stress response, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and process emotional trauma in individuals experiencing PTSD symptoms. (As an adjunctive therapy).
- Depression, Low Mood & Mood Swings (Supportive TCM Care): Addressing emotional stagnation (especially Liver Qi Stagnation), clearing internal 'Heat' or 'Dampness' that can cloud the mind, and improving overall mental clarity and outlook with acupuncture and herbal support.
- Addiction Support (e.g., Smoking Cessation, Substance Cravings - NADA Protocol): Supporting detoxification pathways, promoting emotional balance, and strengthening willpower as part of a comprehensive addiction treatment and relapse prevention plan.
- Insomnia & Various Sleep Disorders (e.g., Difficulty Falling/Staying Asleep, Dream-Disturbed Sleep): Identifying specific TCM patterns contributing to poor sleep (e.g., difficulty falling asleep versus waking frequently) and providing personalized treatments to re-establish healthy sleep-wake cycles.
Other Common
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) & Adrenal Fatigue Support (TCM): Natural and comprehensive solutions for combating persistent, debilitating tiredness, improving energy production, and enhancing overall resilience and quality of life.
- Supportive Care During & After Cancer Treatments (Chemotherapy/Radiation Side Effects): Acupuncture, moxibustion, and gentle herbal therapies to help manage common side effects of conventional cancer treatments, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, pain, neuropathy, dry mouth, insomnia, and anxiety, thereby improving quality of life and treatment tolerance. (Always in coordination with primary oncology care).
- Bell's Palsy & Facial Paralysis Recovery: Early and consistent TCM intervention to maximize functional recovery and minimize residual facial weakness or asymmetry.
- Dizziness & Vertigo (TCM Perspective): Differentiating the cause of dizziness (e.g., Meniere's disease support, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo - BPPV support) from a TCM viewpoint and applying specific treatments to restore balance.
This list offers examples of conditions commonly addressed. TCM diagnosis is based on individual patterns, so if your specific concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic. Banafsheh can assess your needs.
- Acupuncture Treatment (Body Acupuncture): Insertion of fine, sterile, single-use needles into specific acupoints on the body's meridians (energy pathways) to stimulate Qi (vital energy) flow, alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, regulate organ function, and promote natural healing.
- Scalp Acupuncture (Neuroacupuncture): Specialized scalp needling techniques drawing from both traditional TCM and modern neurology to modulate brain activity and address challenging neurological and pain-related health issues.
- Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture / Acupressure / Ear Seeds: Ear acupuncture or acupressure (using seeds for prolonged stimulation) to address issues like pain, addiction (e.g., smoking cessation, NADA protocol), stress, anxiety, and internal disorders by targeting corresponding reflex points on the ear.
- TCM Tongue Diagnosis: A key TCM diagnostic method where the tongue is meticulously examined as a microsystem map reflecting your body's internal health and specific imbalances.
- Motor Point Acupuncture / Dry Needling (TCM Context): Targeting specific motor points (areas where nerves enter muscles) or Ashi (tender) points with acupuncture needles to release muscle trigger points, alleviate myofascial pain, restore muscle function, and improve range of motion. (May be described as dry needling when performed by an acupuncturist within a TCM framework).
- Comprehensive TCM Health Assessment & Pattern Diagnosis: A detailed initial consultation involving an in-depth discussion of your health history, symptoms, lifestyle, emotional state, and a traditional TCM diagnostic assessment (palpation, observation, listening/smelling, pulse, and tongue diagnosis) to identify your unique TCM pattern of disharmony.
- TCM Pulse Diagnosis (Sphygmology): A subtle and sophisticated TCM diagnostic technique requiring extensive training, used to understand the energetic state of your Zang-Fu organs and overall constitution.
Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Banafsheh, or to discuss your specific needs, please contact the clinic.
All services are provided in accordance with the scope of practice for Registered Acupuncturists in ON and the standards set by The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario.
At ALIGN HOLISTIC HEALTH CLINIC, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Banafsheh frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:
- Through the gentle yet powerful methods of TCM, Banafsheh assists patients with wanting to improve my overall energy, focus, and vitality naturally in reaching improved circulation, often described as a feeling of warmth or better flow in extremities, fostering a return to beloved activities like traveling more comfortably without being plagued by motion sickness, digestive upset, or travel-related anxiety.
- Struggling with pain, numbness, or tingling running down my leg (like sciatica)? Banafsheh develops individualized TCM treatment plans aimed at experiencing markedly fewer and less severe menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes, key to helping you get back to doing shoveling snow or raking leaves without aggravating their back with improved well-being and energy.
- With Banafsheh, an Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, individuals with sports injuries like sprains, strains, or tendonitis needing faster healing are guided towards clearer breathing, reduced sinus congestion, and improved respiratory function, focusing on restoring the body's natural balance to enjoy walking up and down several flights of stairs without issue again with greater zest.
- When circulatory problems, feeling cold often, or having cold hands and feet is limiting your lifestyle, acupuncture and TCM with Banafsheh can help you work towards reduced inflammation throughout the body, as indicated by symptoms or markers, aiming to restore harmony and optimal function so you can comfortably and safely enjoy enjoying meals without digestive discomfort, bloating, or subsequent fatigue.
Your personalized TCM treatment plan, developed with Banafsheh, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives using a holistic and time-tested approach.
Practicing at ALIGN HOLISTIC HEALTH CLINIC, Banafsheh's clinic is situated in a central Thornhill neighborhood, within a dedicated acupuncture and TCM clinic. The location is conveniently accessible, close to local community centers and public parks, making it easy for patients to visit. The clinic is well-connected via local public transit routes, ensuring easy access for those using public transportation. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Convenient parking options are typically accessible.
- What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?
- Acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves the insertion of very fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body called acupoints. According to TCM theory, this helps to stimulate and balance the flow of Qi (vital energy) along pathways known as meridians. Acupuncture can help by reducing pain, alleviating stress and anxiety, improving sleep, regulating bodily functions (like digestion and hormones), boosting the immune system, and promoting overall well-being by encouraging the body's natural healing abilities.
- Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?
- For most people, acupuncture is not painful. The needles used are very thin, and many individuals feel little to no sensation upon insertion. Some common sensations include a slight initial pinch, followed by a dull ache, warmth, tingling, or a feeling of fullness around the needle site, which usually indicates the treatment is working effectively to stimulate your body's Qi. Many patients report feeling very relaxed and even fall asleep during the session. Practitioners are highly trained in safe needling techniques and exclusively use sterile, single-use needles to ensure your safety and prevent infection. If you ever feel any notable pain, inform your Registered Acupuncturist immediately.
- Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Registered Acupuncturist in ON?
- Patients in Ontario can typically see a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner directly without a physician's referral, as direct access is permitted. However, while a referral is not legally required, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement. Patients are advised to check their individual insurance policies to understand coverage requirements.
- What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?
- **Qi** is a core concept in TCM, representing the vital energy or life force that animates the body and drives its functions. When Qi flows smoothly and abundantly, health is maintained. **Meridians** are like a network of rivers or channels that carry Qi and Blood throughout the body, connecting different organs and tissues. Illness or pain can arise if the flow of Qi in these meridians becomes blocked, deficient, or excessive. Acupuncture and other TCM therapies aim to restore the proper flow of Qi within these meridians.
- What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how can a Registered Acupuncturist help?
- Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic approach to health and wellness based on ancient principles. A Registered Acupuncturist assesses your overall health, identifies patterns of imbalance through tongue and pulse diagnosis, and provides treatments such as acupuncture, herbal formulas, cupping, moxibustion, and lifestyle recommendations to restore balance and promote healing.
- Are Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine services covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?
- Services provided by a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner in a private clinic are generally not covered by OHIP. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket. However, many private or extended health insurance plans offer varying levels of coverage for these services, so it is recommended to check with your insurer.
- Does ALIGN HOLISTIC HEALTH CLINIC offer direct billing to private insurance companies for Acupuncture/TCM services?
- Yes, the clinic typically offers direct billing to major private insurance providers for services rendered by Registered Acupuncturists and Registered TCM Practitioners. Patients should bring their insurance details and confirm specific coverage, limits, and requirements (such as referrals) directly with their insurer. Any non-covered portions are the responsibility of the patient.
ALIGN HOLISTIC HEALTH CLINIC
208-8131 Yonge St
Thornhill, ON, L3T 2C6
Phone: (905) 370-2040
Banafsheh Mosayyebi is regulated by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006 in ON and is a registered member of The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario.
Verify registration with The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario: https://www.ctcmpao.on.ca/member-profile/?contactid=31def62b-c376-e611-80c3-005056a97495
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are holistic therapies. It is recommended to also consult with your medical doctor for diagnosis of serious conditions and for emergency medical care. TCM can often complement conventional treatments effectively.
