Chao-Shang Chou

Chao-Shang Chou provides skilled Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Other Common

• Support for Autoimmune Conditions (e.g., Hashimoto's, Lupus, MS - Adjunctive Care): A holistic and integrative TCM approach to help modulate the immune response, alleviate autoimmune-related fatigue and pain, and support the body’s innate healing capacities.
• 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.
• Bell's Palsy & Facial Paralysis Recovery: Acupuncture (often including electroacupuncture) and herbal medicine to help stimulate nerve regeneration, improve muscle tone, and accelerate recovery from Bell's Palsy or other forms of facial paralysis by expelling Wind, invigorating Qi and Blood flow to the facial meridians.

Pain Musculoskeletal

• Neuropathic Pain & Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g., Diabetic Neuropathy Support, Post-Herpetic Neuralgia): Acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and related therapies to relieve radiating nerve pain, numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness associated with conditions like sciatica or peripheral neuropathy by improving microcirculation, reducing nerve inflammation, and promoting nerve regeneration.
• Sports Injuries (e.g., Sprains, Strains, Tendinitis) & Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI): Acupuncture, cupping, Tui Na massage, and topical herbal applications to accelerate recovery from acute sports injuries like ligament sprains, muscle strains, and contusions, as well as chronic overuse conditions like tendinitis (e.g., tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, Achilles tendinitis).

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. Chao-Shang can assess your needs.

• 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.
• Gua Sha (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization - TCM): Traditional East Asian healing technique, often used for musculoskeletal pain, common cold, fever, or heatstroke, to address pain by moving stagnant Qi and Blood, clear heat, and promote tissue recovery.
• Cupping Therapy (Fire Cupping, Sliding Cupping, Stationary Cupping): Utilizing cupping techniques to alleviate musculoskeletal pain (back, shoulder, neck), clear stagnation, support detoxification, and relieve symptoms of common colds or asthma.
• 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 Tongue Diagnosis: In-depth analysis of various tongue characteristics to help formulate an accurate TCM pattern diagnosis and a highly individualized treatment plan.
• Acupressure & Meridian Therapy: Application of firm but gentle pressure to specific acupoints along the body's meridians using fingers, thumbs, or elbows to stimulate Qi flow, relieve pain, reduce tension, and promote relaxation and balance, similar to acupuncture but without needles.
• TCM Observation & Palpation Diagnosis: Utilizing traditional TCM observational skills (Wang) and palpation (Qie - beyond just pulse) to gather diagnostic clues about your underlying pattern of imbalance.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Chao-Shang, or to discuss your specific needs, please contact the clinic.

All services are provided in accordance with the scope of practice for Registered TCM Practitioners in ON and the standards set by The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario.

At Ottawa TCM Wellness, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Chao-Shang frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• With Chao-Shang, an Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, individuals with my child having frequent illnesses, digestive issues, or skin problems are guided towards for children, experiencing fewer common ailments and demonstrating improved overall health and development, focusing on restoring the body's natural balance to enjoy managing the physical demands of their job without constant pain again with greater zest.
• By addressing the root energetic imbalances related to pain, numbness, or tingling running down my leg (like sciatica), Chao-Shang helps patients work towards enjoying consistently more restful, deeper, and restorative sleep patterns, waking up refreshed, facilitating a return to cherished activities like engaging in detailed crafting, sewing, or knitting hobbies for hours with clear focus.
• Chao-Shang believes in a partnership with patients. When feeling stressed out, anxious, overwhelmed, or panicky most of the time arises, a collaborative TCM plan targets a more positive outlook and improved mood stability, enabling a more active lifestyle including running their usual 5k route without knee or back pain.
• Many patients have found lasting relief from frequent colds, feeling like my immune system is weak, or taking a long time to recover from illness and achieved a noticeable reduction in muscle tension, tightness, and related discomfort or stiffness under the care of Chao-Shang, allowing them to re-engage with activities such as getting in and out of the car smoothly and without wincing with renewed vitality and ease.

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

Ottawa TCM Wellness, operated by Chao-Shang, is situated in the Elmvale Acres, Hawthorne Meadows, Billings Bridge neighbourhood of Ottawa. The clinic is conveniently located near Parliament Buildings and is easily accessible via OC Transpo, including the O-Train LRT and local buses. Our clinic offers a serene environment for healing, with street parking often available nearby, ensuring a peaceful and accessible experience for all patients.

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.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Acupuncture needles are extremely fine, sterile, and single-use, often not much thicker than a human hair, so their insertion is usually painless or feels like a tiny prick, much less intense than an injection. Once the needles are in place, you might feel a unique sensation such as a dull ache, warmth, tingling, a slight feeling of pressure or heaviness, or even a sensation of energy moving; these are generally considered positive signs that the Qi is being influenced and the treatment is taking effect. Most people find acupuncture to be a very relaxing and calming experience. Safety is paramount; registered practitioners use only sterile, disposable needles. Always communicate with your Registered TCM Practitioner if you experience any significant discomfort during treatment.

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how can a Registered TCM Practitioner help?

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic approach to health and wellness based on ancient principles. A Registered TCM Practitioner 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 types of conditions do Registered TCM Practitioners at Ottawa TCM Wellness treat?

Chao-Shang’s practice treats a wide range of health concerns using Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. This includes, but is not limited to, Addiction Support (e.g., Smoking Cessation, Substance Cravings - NADA Protocol), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Bloating, Gas & Functional Digestive Upset, sleep disorders, women’s health issues like PMS or menopausal symptoms, and support for overall well-being. Treatments often involve Moxibustion (Moxa Therapy), and may also include Gua Sha (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization - TCM), herbal medicine, 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?

Acupuncture and TCM services provided by a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) or Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) in a private clinic are generally NOT covered by provincial health plans like Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Patients typically pay out-of-pocket. It is advisable to check with your private or extended health insurance providers, as many plans offer partial or full coverage for services rendered by registered practitioners, but coverage varies significantly.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture, performed by a qualified Registered TCM Practitioner, involves inserting thin needles at specific points on the body to help restore the body's energy balance. It can help manage conditions such as pain (e.g., back pain, headaches), stress, digestive issues, menstrual problems, and promote overall wellness by activating the body's healing mechanisms.

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Registered TCM Practitioner in ON?

Patients in Ontario can generally see a Registered TCM Practitioner directly without a physician's referral (direct access). However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is recommended to check your individual insurance policy for specific requirements.

Are Chinese Herbal Medicines safe? (If prescribed by an R.TCMP or Dr.TCM)

When prescribed by a qualified and registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) or Doctor of TCM (Dr.TCM) with extensive training in herbal pharmacology, Chinese herbal formulas are generally safe and effective. R.TCMPs are trained to identify herb quality, potential herb-drug interactions, and contraindications for specific health conditions or during pregnancy. Patients should inform their practitioner about all medications they are taking, including prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs, to ensure safe and appropriate herbal therapy. Self-prescribing or purchasing herbs from unreliable sources is strongly discouraged due to risks of contamination, incorrect formulations, or adverse interactions.

Ottawa TCM Wellness
2211 Riverside Drive, Suite B3
Ottawa, ON, K1H 7X5

Phone: (613) 700-3845

Chao-Shang Chou 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=82b2283f-bd76-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.