Description
About David
David Stanley Surman is a dedicated Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCMP) (Acupuncture Services). Practicing at Mind and Body Integrated Medicine in Toronto, ON, he 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.
David's role involves delivering skilled acupuncture treatments for a wide variety of common health concerns, including pain management such as musculoskeletal pain (like back and neck pain, headaches), stress reduction, sleep issues, and general wellness support. His care approach focuses on using acupuncture to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and restore energetic balance based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. He serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, ensuring personalized care tailored to individual needs.
He completed his R. TCMP, R. Ac (Graduating Class of 2014), and has accumulated over 10 years of dedicated practice since then. David is passionate about ongoing professional development and maintaining the highest standards in TCM. His training includes areas such as TCM dietary therapy, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine. His practice philosophy emphasizes a holistic approach, viewing the body as an interconnected system where physical, mental, and emotional aspects are inseparable (Holism); identifying and treating the root cause of illness (Ben Qíu Bìng Gēn), rather than just alleviating symptoms, to achieve long-lasting health; utilizing time-tested therapies like acupuncture and herbal medicine to support the body’s innate healing capacity and restore natural balance (Yin-Yang Harmony). He offers consultations in English and French.
Common Health Concerns David Stanley Surman Addresses with TCM
David Stanley Surman provides skilled Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:
Pain Musculoskeletal
- Neuropathic Pain & Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g., Diabetic Neuropathy Support, Post-Herpetic Neuralgia): Addressing neuropathic pain by invigorating Qi and Blood flow along affected meridians, nourishing Yin and Blood to repair damaged nerves, and resolving blockages or stagnation.
- 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).
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ/TMD) Dysfunction & Jaw Pain: Addressing related symptoms like headaches, earaches, or neck pain that often accompany TMJ dysfunction from a TCM perspective.
Womens Health Gynecological
- Pregnancy, Labor Preparation & Postpartum Care (TCM): Nourishing Qi, Blood, and Essence, strengthening the Kidney and Spleen organ systems, and ensuring smooth Qi flow to support the mother and baby throughout the entire perinatal journey.
- Fibroids & Ovarian Cysts (Supportive TCM Management): TCM strategies, often involving acupuncture and herbal medicine, aimed at managing symptoms associated with uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts, such as heavy bleeding, pain, or pressure, by promoting circulation, resolving Blood stasis and Phlegm accumulation. (As an adjunct to gynecological monitoring).
- Fertility Enhancement & Infertility Support (For All Genders): Holistic and personalized support to enhance the chances of conception, support a healthy implantation and pregnancy, and address factors contributing to subfertility.
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. David can assess your needs.
David Stanley Surman's Acupuncture & TCM Services
- Classical & Patent Chinese Herbal Formulas: Using established and time-tested patent herbal remedies (Cheng Yao) that have been trusted for generations to address specific symptoms or support overall health and organ system balance.
- Acupuncture Treatment (Body Acupuncture): A therapeutic technique involving strategic needling of acupoints to restore balance between Yin and Yang, treating a wide range of health conditions from musculoskeletal pain to internal medicine disorders.
- Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture / Acupressure / Ear Seeds: A specialized microsystem technique focusing on the ear's numerous reflexology points to influence overall health, manage cravings, and support emotional well-being, often used as a standalone or adjunctive therapy.
- 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).
- Customized Chinese Herbal Medicine Prescription (R.TCMP Scope): Expert formulation of potent Chinese herbal remedies based on classical TCM principles and modern research, designed to treat specific ailments, strengthen the body, and support long-term constitutional health.
- Electroacupuncture: A form of acupuncture where a small, gentle, and continuous electrical current is passed between pairs of acupuncture needles to enhance stimulation of acupoints and therapeutic effects, particularly effective for chronic pain, neurological conditions, and muscle spasm.
- Scalp Acupuncture (Neuroacupuncture): A contemporary acupuncture technique involving the insertion of needles into specific therapeutic zones on the scalp that correspond to different body functions and brain areas (e.g., motor, sensory, balance zones), primarily used for neurological disorders, stroke rehabilitation, chronic pain, and psycho-emotional conditions.
Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by David, 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.
Achieving Your Health Goals with Acupuncture & TCM
At Mind and Body Integrated Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. David frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:
- Many find that TCM with David not only helps with uncomfortable menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, or mood changes but also brings about noticeable improvement in digestive comfort, with significantly less bloating, gas, or abdominal pain, allowing for a more fulfilling engagement in sleeping soundly through the night and waking refreshed and energetic.
- Many individuals seek the expertise of David, their Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, when brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or poor memory impacts their daily life. Through personalized TCM treatments, they often achieve feeling significantly calmer, less anxious, and more emotionally balanced and resilient, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like enjoying long, challenging hikes on weekends again.
- Restoring harmony is key in TCM. For feeling stressed out, anxious, overwhelmed, or panicky most of the time, David crafts treatments to achieve reduced inflammation throughout the body, as indicated by symptoms or markers, supporting a return to activities like easily carrying groceries in from the car in one or two trips without strain with comfort and confidence.
- By addressing the root energetic imbalances related to high blood pressure needing complementary support for management, David helps patients work towards enhanced fertility potential, optimized reproductive health, and better support during pregnancy and postpartum, facilitating a return to cherished activities like attending concerts or theatre shows and sitting comfortably throughout.
Your personalized TCM treatment plan, developed with David, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives using a holistic and time-tested approach.
Clinic Location & Accessibility
David practices at Mind and Body Integrated Medicine, situated in the vibrant New Toronto area of Toronto, ON, specifically in the Mimico South neighborhood near Humber Bay Shores. The clinic is conveniently located near the US Consulate and is easily accessible via TTC, including subway, streetcar, and bus routes. Our clinic offers a serene environment designed to promote healing and relaxation. Street parking is often available nearby, making visits convenient and stress-free for patients seeking holistic health care.
Frequently Asked Questions about Acupuncture & TCM in Toronto
- What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?
- In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi (pronounced 'chee') is often translated as 'vital energy' or 'life force.' It’s considered the fundamental energy that flows throughout the body, responsible for all physiological processes, movement, warmth, and protection against illness. Meridians (or channels) are specific pathways through which Qi and Blood circulate. These pathways connect the internal organs with the exterior parts of the body, including muscles, skin, and sensory organs. Acupuncture points are specific locations along these meridians where the flow of Qi can be accessed and influenced to restore balance and health.
- What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how can a Registered TCM Practitioner help?
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete 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 TCM Practitioner (e.g., Registered TCM Practitioner or Acupuncturist using TCM principles) uses these tools to address the root cause of health issues by identifying and correcting imbalances in the body’s Qi (vital energy), Blood, Yin, and Yang. It can help with a wide array of conditions, aiming to restore harmony and promote long-term health.
- 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 TCM Practitioner immediately.
- 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’s advisable to check your private or extended health insurance plans, as many offer some level of coverage for these services, depending on your plan’s specifics.
- What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?
- Acupuncture involves inserting very fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body called acupoints. This stimulates the flow of Qi (vital energy) along pathways called meridians, helping to reduce pain, alleviate stress, improve sleep, regulate bodily functions, boost the immune system, and promote overall well-being by supporting the body’s natural healing processes.
- Is TCM and Acupuncture suitable for children or the elderly?
- Absolutely. TCM offers gentle and effective options for all ages. Pediatric treatments may involve techniques like Shonishin (non-invasive needling), acupressure, and dietary advice. For seniors, acupuncture and herbal medicine can help manage age-related conditions, pain, and improve quality of life. Your Registered TCM Practitioner will tailor treatments to be safe and comfortable for each individual’s age and health condition.
- 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), Chinese herbal formulas are generally safe and effective. R.TCMPs are trained to identify high-quality herbs, potential herb-drug interactions, and contraindications, especially during pregnancy or for specific health conditions. It is important to inform your practitioner of all medications and health issues to ensure safe and appropriate herbal therapy. Avoid self-prescribing or purchasing herbs from unreliable sources to prevent risks of contamination, incorrect formulations, or adverse interactions.
- Do I need a doctor’s referral to see a Registered TCM Practitioner in ON?
- Patients in Ontario can typically see a Registered TCM Practitioner directly without a physician's referral. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It’s recommended to verify your insurance policy’s requirements before your appointment.
Clinic Contact & Licensing Information
Mind and Body Integrated Medicine
2889 Lakeshore Boulevard West
Toronto, ON, M8V 1J1
Phone: (416) 433-0027
David Stanley Surman 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=94b3472f-c076-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.