Benjamin David Carswell

Benjamin David Carswell provides skilled Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Digestive Gastrointestinal

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Bloating, Gas & Functional Digestive Upset: Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to regulate digestive function, alleviate common IBS symptoms like abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, or constipation, by harmonizing the Spleen and Stomach, soothing Liver Qi (which often attacks the Spleen in TCM), and resolving Dampness.
• Acid Reflux (GERD), Heartburn & Indigestion (Dyspepsia): Reducing symptoms of GERD and dyspepsia by harmonizing the middle jiao (digestive center) and addressing underlying imbalances without relying on long-term acid suppression.
• Nausea & Vomiting (e.g., Morning Sickness, Post-Chemotherapy): Safe and natural relief from nausea, helping to improve comfort and ability to maintain hydration and nutrition.
• Chronic Constipation or Diarrhea (Non-infectious): Restoring balance to the large and small intestines and related organ systems (like Spleen, Liver, Kidney) to promote normal stool consistency, frequency, and ease of passage.

Other Common

• Supportive Care During & After Cancer Treatments (Chemotherapy/Radiation Side Effects): Integrative TCM care focused on alleviating treatment-related discomfort, enhancing immune function, and supporting the patient's overall well-being throughout their cancer journey.
• Dizziness & Vertigo (TCM Perspective): Acupuncture and herbal formulas to address various types of dizziness and vertigo by treating underlying TCM patterns such as Liver Yang Rising, Phlegm-Damp obstruction, or Qi and Blood deficiency.

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. Benjamin can assess your needs.

• Tui Na (Chinese Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork): Dynamic, hands-on bodywork based on TCM principles of meridians and acupoints to correct structural misalignments, improve circulation, alleviate chronic pain, and restore energetic harmony and balance.
• TCM Observation & Palpation Diagnosis: A holistic diagnostic approach incorporating visual assessment and physical touch to complement tongue and pulse diagnosis for a complete TCM picture.
• 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.
• Cupping Therapy (Fire Cupping, Sliding Cupping, Stationary Cupping): A traditional deep-tissue therapy using suction cups (stationary or moved along lubricated skin) to promote circulation, ease pain, break up fascial adhesions, and draw out pathogenic factors like Wind, Cold, and Dampness from the body.
• Moxibustion (Moxa Therapy): The therapeutic application of heat from burning processed mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) near or on the skin at specific acupuncture points or areas of the body. This warms meridians, stimulates Qi and Blood flow, dispels Cold and Dampness, strengthens Yang energy, and can alleviate conditions associated with cold, stagnation, or deficiency.
• 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.
• TCM Tongue Diagnosis: Detailed observation of the tongue's color, shape, size, coating, cracks, and moisture to gain crucial insights into the state of your internal organs, fluid balance, and overall energetic balance.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Benjamin, 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 CARSWELL CHIROPRACTIC AND MASS, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Benjamin frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Many individuals seek the expertise of Benjamin, their Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, when brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or poor memory impacts their daily life. Through personalized TCM treatments, they often achieve better regulation of body temperature, feeling less prone to being overly cold or hot, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like doing household chores like vacuuming, mopping, or laundry without pain.
• Many find that TCM with Benjamin not only helps with TMJ, jaw pain, or teeth grinding that causes discomfort and headaches but also brings about a more positive outlook and improved mood stability, allowing for a more fulfilling engagement in participating in community events and social gatherings more actively.
• Restoring harmony is key in TCM. For symptoms of Bell's Palsy or facial paralysis needing support for recovery, Benjamin crafts treatments to achieve a substantial increase in overall energy levels, vitality, and stamina throughout the day, supporting a return to activities like engaging in gentle exercises like Tai Chi, Qigong, or yoga with improved balance, flexibility, and energy flow with comfort and confidence.
• Dealing with the ongoing challenges of sports injuries like sprains, strains, or tendonitis needing faster healing? Benjamin works collaboratively with patients to reach the goal of enhanced fertility potential, optimized reproductive health, and better support during pregnancy and postpartum. This might involve specific acupuncture protocols, cupping, or moxibustion, all aimed at helping you confidently resume enjoying intimacy without pain or hormonal imbalances interfering.

Your personalized TCM treatment plan, developed with Benjamin, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives using a holistic and time-tested approach.

Benjamin practices at CARSWELL CHIROPRACTIC AND MASS, situated in the South Windsor West, LaSalle West neighbourhood of Windsor. The clinic is conveniently located near the University of Windsor area and is accessible via Transit Windsor. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Metered and paid parking lots are usually found in the vicinity.

Is TCM and Acupuncture suitable for children or the elderly?

Yes, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture can be very beneficial and safe for both children and the elderly when administered by a qualified and experienced Registered Acupuncturist. For children, practitioners often use very gentle techniques, including non-needle methods like Shonishin, acupressure, or very fine, quickly inserted needles if appropriate. Dosages for herbal medicine are also adjusted for children. For elderly patients, treatments are tailored to their specific health conditions and constitution, often focusing on managing chronic pain, improving mobility, boosting energy, and supporting overall vitality. Treatment plans are always individualized to ensure safety and comfort.

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.

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 will assess your overall state of health, looking for patterns of imbalance according to TCM theory (often involving tongue and pulse diagnosis). Treatment may involve acupuncture, customized herbal formulas (if an R.TCMP), cupping, moxibustion, and specific dietary and lifestyle recommendations to help restore your body's natural balance and promote healing.

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.

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 (direct access). However, while a referral is not legally required for treatment, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement. It is advisable to check with your insurance provider regarding their specific policy requirements.

What types of conditions do Registered Acupuncturists at CARSWELL CHIROPRACTIC AND MASS treat?

Our Registered Acupuncturists treat a wide range of health concerns using Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. This includes, but is not limited to, conditions such as Rosacea (Supportive TCM Care), common cold, flu & viral infections (Prevention & Accelerated Recovery), sleep disorders, women’s health issues like PMS or menopausal symptoms, and support for overall well-being. Treatments often involve Tui Na (Chinese Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork), and may also include TCM Observation & Palpation Diagnosis, moxibustion, or dietary advice based on your specific TCM diagnosis.

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 Ontario’s provincial health plan (OHIP). Patients usually pay out-of-pocket for these services. It is recommended to check your private or extended health insurance plans, as many offer partial or full coverage for treatments by registered practitioners, though coverage varies.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi (pronounced 'chee') is often described as 'vital energy' or 'life force.' It is considered the fundamental energy that flows throughout the body, responsible for all physiological processes, movement, warmth, and defense against illness. Meridians are specific pathways through which Qi and Blood circulate, connecting internal organs with muscles, skin, and sensory organs. Acupuncture points are located along these meridians and are used to access and influence the flow of Qi to restore balance and health.

CARSWELL CHIROPRACTIC AND MASS
3875 Dougall Avenue
Windsor, ON, N9G 1X3

Phone: (519) 967-0660

Benjamin David Carswell 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=fd7d3410-c676-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.