Kar Man Karman Lam – Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Acupuncturist | Richmond Hill, ON

Kar Man Karman Lam is a dedicated Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCMP) (Acupuncture Services). Practicing at 20 Wertheim Court in Richmond Hill, 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.

Kar's role involves providing skilled acupuncture treatments for a wide variety of common health concerns, including pain management (such as musculoskeletal pain and headaches), stress reduction, sleep issues, and overall wellness support. Her care is focused 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, with compassion and attention to individual needs.

Kar Man Karman Lam completed her R. TCMP, R. Ac (Graduating Class of 2013). With over 11 years of dedicated practice since 2013, she is committed to ongoing professional learning and upholding the highest standards of TCM practice. She has further training and interest in areas such as TCM dietary therapy, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine. Her practice philosophy emphasizes utilizing time-tested therapies like acupuncture and herbal medicine to support the body's innate healing capacity and restore natural balance (Yin-Yang Harmony). She believes in identifying and treating the root cause of illness (Ben Qíu Bìng Gēn), rather than just alleviating symptoms, to achieve long-lasting health. Kar offers consultations in English, Japanese, Cantonese, and Mandarin to accommodate diverse patients.

Kar's practice is located at 20 Wertheim Court, situated in the Langstaff, South Richvale neighborhood of Richmond Hill. The clinic is conveniently positioned near Bayview Secondary School and is easily accessible via York Region Transit (YRT) and Viva. Our clinic offers a serene environment conducive to healing, and accessible parking options are typically available for patients' convenience.

• TCM Dietary Therapy & Nutritional Counseling (Shi Liao): Personalized dietary advice based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles (Shi Liao), considering the energetic properties of foods (e.g., warming/cooling, drying/moistening, Five Flavors) and their effects on specific organ systems to support your unique constitution, address health imbalances, and promote healing.
• 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.
• Tui Na (Chinese Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork): Therapeutic massage techniques integrated with acupressure, joint mobilization, and stretching to address pain, tension, stress, and promote overall physical and energetic well-being.
• Qigong & Tai Chi Exercise Recommendations: Guidance on or referral to Qigong or Tai Chi practices, which are gentle, mindful movement exercises combining breathwork and meditation to cultivate Qi, improve balance, reduce stress, enhance flexibility, and promote overall physical and mental health.
• Acupressure & Meridian Therapy: Targeting key energy points on the body with precise pressure to alleviate symptoms, support organ function, and enhance overall well-being.
• 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).
• TCM Lifestyle & Wellness Coaching (Yang Sheng): Practical strategies for living in harmony with nature, managing daily stressors effectively, conserving vital energy (Qi), and cultivating healthy habits from a TCM perspective to support overall resilience and a vibrant life.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Kar, 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 20 Wertheim Court, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Kar frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• If chronic sinus congestion, pressure, or recurrent sinus infections is preventing you from fully enjoying cycling longer distances with their cycling club without discomfort, Kar offers skilled acupuncture and TCM care. Treatment focuses on a profound sense of relaxation, calm, and overall well-being following treatments, often utilizing acupuncture, herbal remedies (if R.TCMP), and lifestyle advice to help you regain balance and function.
• By addressing the root energetic imbalances related to high blood pressure needing complementary support for management, Kar helps patients work towards feeling significantly calmer, less anxious, and more emotionally balanced and resilient, facilitating a return to cherished activities like cooking and eating a wider variety of healthy foods comfortably and with enjoyment.
• Struggling with heartburn, acid reflux, or general indigestion after meals? Kar develops individualized TCM treatment plans aimed at achieving significant and lasting reduction in acute or chronic pain levels, key to helping you get back to doing playing actively and roughhousing with their young kids or grandkids with joy and energy with improved well-being and energy.
• The path to overcoming wanting to improve my overall energy, focus, and vitality naturally and achieving improved mobility, flexibility, and range of motion in previously stiff or painful joints and muscles is often clearer with TCM. Kar guides patients toward reclaiming activities such as being able to kneel or squat down to play with pets or children comfortably with improved health.

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

Kar's practice is located at 20 Wertheim Court, situated in the Langstaff, South Richvale neighborhood of Richmond Hill. The clinic is conveniently positioned near Bayview Secondary School and is easily accessible via York Region Transit (YRT) and Viva. Our clinic offers a serene environment conducive to healing, and accessible parking options are typically available for patients' convenience.

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

In Ontario, patients can generally see a Registered TCM Practitioner or Registered Acupuncturist directly without a physician's referral, as part of the direct access model. However, it is important to note that some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. Patients are advised to check their individual insurance policies to confirm any specific requirements.

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

No, acupuncture and TCM services provided by Registered TCM Practitioners or Registered Acupuncturists in private clinics are generally not covered by Ontario's OHIP. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket for these services. It is highly recommended to review your private or extended health insurance plans, as many do offer some coverage for treatments by registered practitioners, though coverage levels vary widely.

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.

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

The number and frequency of sessions required varies greatly depending on the nature of your condition (whether it's acute or chronic), its severity, how long you've had the issue, your overall health, and your individual response to treatment. For acute conditions, a few sessions (e.g., 1-3 times per week for 1-2 weeks) may bring significant relief. For chronic or more complex issues, a longer course of treatment (e.g., 6-12 weekly or bi-weekly sessions) is often necessary to achieve lasting results, followed by maintenance sessions as needed. Your Registered TCM Practitioner will discuss a proposed treatment plan, including frequency and estimated duration, after your initial assessment and will continually re-evaluate your progress.

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.

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 the 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. If you ever feel any notable pain, inform your Registered TCM Practitioner immediately.

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) who has extensive training in herbal pharmacology, Chinese herbal formulas are generally safe and effective. R.TCMPs are trained to identify quality herbs, potential herb-drug interactions, and contraindications for specific health conditions or during pregnancy. It is crucial to inform your practitioner about all medications you are taking, including prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs. Self-prescribing herbs or purchasing from unreliable sources is strongly discouraged due to risks of incorrect diagnosis, contamination, or adverse interactions.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture involves inserting very fine, sterile needles into specific points called acupoints along meridians to stimulate the flow of Qi. This can help reduce pain, alleviate stress, improve sleep, regulate bodily functions, and boost the immune system, thereby promoting overall well-being and supporting the body's natural healing processes.

20 Wertheim Court
unit 20
Richmond Hill, ON, L4B 3A8

Phone: (905) 709-0777

Kar Man Karman Lam 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=cab3472f-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.