Charles Anthony Walkom T Sibbald

Charles practices at FeelFullyAliveAgain.com, situated in the Hamilton Mountain West (Gourley, Rolston) neighborhood of Hamilton. The clinic is conveniently located near St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton (Charlton Campus) and is accessible via Hamilton Street Railway (HSR). Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

• 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.
• Moxibustion (Moxa Therapy): Gentle and penetrating heat therapy with mugwort to strengthen the body's vital energy, improve circulation, turn breech babies (when applied to a specific point), and relieve chronic pain or fatigue.
• TCM Pulse Diagnosis (Sphygmology): Assessing up to 28 distinct pulse qualities to contribute to a comprehensive TCM diagnosis, guiding the selection of appropriate acupuncture points and herbal formulas.
• TCM Tongue Diagnosis: In-depth analysis of various tongue characteristics to help formulate an accurate TCM pattern diagnosis and a highly individualized treatment plan.
• Gua Sha (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization - TCM): A therapeutic technique involving the gentle but firm scraping of lubricated skin with a smooth-edged tool (e.g., jade, horn, ceramic spoon) to stimulate microcirculation of the soft tissue, which releases muscle tension, breaks down adhesions and scar tissue, reduces pain and inflammation, and promotes healing and detoxification by releasing 'Sha' (stagnant blood and metabolic waste).
• 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.

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

• Through personalized acupuncture and TCM with Charles, common concerns like high blood pressure needing complementary support for management are assessed from a holistic perspective to achieve experiencing more regular, balanced, and manageable menstrual cycles with substantially reduced PMS or PMDD symptoms, helping people to once again enjoy getting in and out of the car smoothly and without wincing.
• If frequent colds, feeling like my immune system is weak, or taking a long time to recover from illness is affecting your ability to participate in dressing myself independently and without difficulty, Charles's TCM approach aims for experiencing fewer and less intense headaches or migraines, leading to more pain-free days, helping you to regain your stride.
• Many individuals seek the expertise of Charles, their Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, when TMJ, jaw pain, or teeth grinding that causes discomfort and headaches impacts their daily life. Through personalized TCM treatments, they often achieve feeling empowered with practical self-care techniques, such as acupressure, moxibustion for home use, or specific TCM dietary advice, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like running their usual 5k route without knee or back pain.
• Restoring harmony is key in TCM. For seasonal allergies (hay fever) making me sneeze, congested, and miserable, Charles crafts treatments to achieve a substantial increase in overall energy levels, vitality, and stamina throughout the day, supporting a return to activities like playing actively and roughhousing with their young kids or grandkids with joy and energy with comfort and confidence.

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

Charles practices at FeelFullyAliveAgain.com, situated in the Hamilton Mountain West (Gourley, Rolston) neighborhood of Hamilton. The clinic is conveniently located near St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton (Charlton Campus) and is accessible via Hamilton Street Railway (HSR). Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

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

Patients in Ontario can typically see a Registered Acupuncturist (such as a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner) directly without the need for a physician's referral, thanks to direct access regulations. However, while a referral is not legally required, some private and extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. Patients are advised to check their individual insurance policies to confirm coverage requirements.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a comprehensive medical system that has been used for thousands of years to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness. It includes therapies such as acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tui Na (therapeutic massage), cupping, moxibustion, and dietary/lifestyle advice. A Registered Acupuncturist (e.g., Registered TCM Practitioner or Acupuncturist using TCM principles) uses these tools to address the root causes of health issues by identifying and correcting imbalances in the body's Qi (vital energy), Blood, Yin, and Yang. TCM aims to restore harmony and promote long-term health across a wide range of conditions.

Approximately how many Acupuncture/TCM sessions will I need and how often?

This varies depending on the individual and condition. Some acute issues may resolve within a few sessions, while chronic conditions might require ongoing treatments, typically once or twice a week initially, then gradually less often. Your Registered Acupuncturist will provide an estimate after the initial assessment and will monitor your progress to adjust the treatment plan accordingly. The goal is to achieve sustained improvement and maintenance over time.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

For most people, acupuncture is not painful. The needles are very thin, and many individuals feel little to no discomfort upon insertion. Some may experience a slight pinch, dull ache, warmth, or tingling, which indicates effective stimulation of Qi. Many patients find the experience relaxing and may even fall asleep. Practitioners are trained in safe needling techniques and use sterile, single-use needles to prevent infection. If any discomfort occurs, patients should inform their practitioner immediately.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture involves inserting fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body called acupoints to stimulate the flow of Qi along meridians. According to TCM, this helps to balance vital energy, alleviate pain, reduce stress, improve sleep, and support overall health by promoting the body's natural healing response.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

Qi is the vital energy or life force that animates the body and sustains health. Meridians are channels that carry Qi and Blood throughout the body, connecting organs and tissues. Disruptions or blockages in these channels can lead to illness or pain. Acupuncture aims to restore the proper flow of Qi within these meridians, promoting harmony and health.

Are Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine services covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

In Ontario, 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 OHIP. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket for these services. However, many private and extended health insurance plans offer coverage for registered practitioners, so patients are encouraged to check their individual policies for reimbursement options.

FeelFullyAliveAgain.com
547 Upper James Street, Unit C
Hamilton, ON, L9C2Y5

Phone: (905) 730-6165

Charles Anthony Walkom T Sibbald 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=11868e0e-9054-e811-810b-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.