Michael Faklan – Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Acupuncturist | Hamilton, ON

Michael Faklan is a dedicated Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCMP) (Acupuncture Services). Practicing at FAKLAN HEALTH SERVICES in Hamilton, 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.

Michael'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 general wellness support. His care is focused on utilizing acupuncture to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and restore energetic balance according to TCM principles. He serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, ensuring personalized and gentle care tailored to each individual's needs.

Having completed his R. TCMP, R. Ac (Graduating Class of 2015), Michael has accumulated over nine years of dedicated practice. He is deeply committed to ongoing professional learning, with particular interest and additional training in areas such as TCM dietary therapy, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine. His practice philosophy emphasizes a commitment to individualized treatment based on precise TCM pattern differentiation, ensuring care is tailored to each person’s unique constitution and condition. Michael believes in identifying and treating the root cause of illness (Ben Qíu Bìng Gēn), rather than just alleviating symptoms, to help patients achieve long-lasting health. He offers consultations in English and French.

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

Respiratory Allergy Immune

• Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis & Cough (Supportive TCM Care): Holistic TCM care designed to improve breathing capacity, reduce reliance on inhalers (where appropriate and in consultation with an MD), clear persistent phlegm, and enhance overall respiratory health and resilience.
• Allergies (Seasonal/Environmental, e.g., Hay Fever, Allergic Rhinitis) & Sinusitis: Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and TCM dietary advice to reduce allergic reactions and sensitivities, alleviate symptoms like sneezing, itchy/watery eyes, nasal congestion, and sinus pain, and strengthen the body's defensive Qi (Wei Qi) to make it less reactive to allergens.
• Weak Immune System & Recurrent Infections: A proactive and preventative TCM approach to enhance your body's natural defense mechanisms, reduce susceptibility to illness, and promote robust, long-term immunity.
• Common Cold, Flu & Viral Infections (Prevention & Accelerated Recovery): Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies, including preventative acupuncture and immune-boosting herbs, to help strengthen the body's resistance to colds and flu. For active infections, TCM aims to accelerate recovery by expelling pathogens (Wind, Cold, Heat, Damp), relieving symptoms like fever, chills, sore throat, cough, body aches, and fatigue.

Digestive Gastrointestinal

• Chronic Constipation or Diarrhea (Non-infectious): Acupuncture and tailored herbal formulas to regulate bowel movements by addressing the specific TCM pattern causing chronic constipation (e.g., Qi stagnation, Blood deficiency, Yin deficiency with dryness, Heat accumulation) or persistent diarrhea (e.g., Spleen Qi deficiency, Kidney Yang deficiency, Damp-Heat in the intestines).
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Bloating, Gas & Functional Digestive Upset: Holistic approach to calming an irritable gut and improving overall digestive health and comfort using personalized TCM treatments.
• Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis (IBD) - Supportive TCM Care: TCM strategies aimed at strengthening the Spleen, resolving Dampness and Heat, invigorating Blood, and regulating immune function to support gut healing and reduce flare-ups in IBD.

Womens Health Gynecological

• Fertility Enhancement & Infertility Support (For All Genders): Specialized Traditional Chinese Medicine protocols, including acupuncture and individually prescribed herbal medicine, to improve reproductive health, optimize fertility markers (e.g., egg quality, sperm parameters, uterine lining), regulate ovulation, and support natural conception or improve success rates for assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like IVF/IUI.
• Menstrual Irregularities (Amenorrhea, Oligomenorrhea, Metrorrhagia) & PMS/PMDD: Natural and effective solutions for achieving smoother, more comfortable, predictable menstrual cycles and balanced hormonal health.
• Fibroids & Ovarian Cysts (Supportive TCM Management): Holistic support to help reduce discomfort and potentially manage the size or recurrence of fibroids and cysts.
• 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.

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. Michael can assess your needs.

• Motor Point Acupuncture / Dry Needling (TCM Context): Acupuncture techniques focused on deactivating muscle knots and relieving musculoskeletal pain by stimulating specific reactive points in muscles and fascia.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Electroacupuncture: Combining traditional acupuncture with modern microcurrent technology to amplify pain relief, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue healing and nerve regeneration.
• Scalp Acupuncture (Neuroacupuncture): Targeted stimulation of scalp acupoints to influence the central nervous system, improve motor function, alleviate paralysis or paresis, and treat complex pain syndromes.

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

• Through the gentle yet powerful methods of TCM, Michael assists patients with seasonal allergies (hay fever) making me sneeze, congested, and miserable in reaching visible improvement in chronic skin conditions like eczema, acne, or psoriasis, with healthier-looking skin, fostering a return to beloved activities like returning to a specific physical hobby they had to give up due to pain.
• Dealing with the ongoing challenges of wanting help to quit smoking or manage withdrawal symptoms from other addictions? Michael works collaboratively with patients to reach the goal of feeling significantly calmer, less anxious, and more emotionally balanced and resilient. This might involve specific acupuncture protocols, cupping, or moxibustion, all aimed at helping you confidently resume cycling longer distances with their cycling club without discomfort.
• Restoring harmony is key in TCM. For fertility challenges, trying to conceive, or wanting to prepare my body for pregnancy, Michael crafts treatments to achieve experiencing markedly fewer and less severe menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes, supporting a return to activities like reaching for items on high shelves or in cupboards without shoulder strain with comfort and confidence.
• Through personalized acupuncture and TCM with Michael, common concerns like irregular, painful, or heavy periods, or really difficult PMS symptoms are assessed from a holistic perspective to achieve accelerated recovery from sports injuries or repetitive strains, and a quicker, safer return to activity, helping people to once again enjoy feeling well enough to consistently attend work or school without frequent sick days.

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

Michael practices at FAKLAN HEALTH SERVICES, situated in the Hamilton Mountain West (Gourley, Rolston) neighborhood of Hamilton. The clinic is conveniently located near Pier 4 Park and is easily accessible via Hamilton Street Railway (HSR). Our clinic offers a serene environment for healing, providing a peaceful space to support your wellness journey. Metered and paid parking lots are usually available in the vicinity, making it easy to visit and focus on your 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.

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

In Ontario, patients can typically see a Registered TCM Practitioner, such as a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner, directly without a physician's referral due to the scope of practice. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement. It is advisable to check with your insurance provider regarding their specific requirements.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture involves inserting very fine, sterile needles into specific points called acupoints to stimulate the flow of Qi (vital energy) along meridians. This process helps to reduce pain, alleviate stress, improve sleep, regulate bodily functions like digestion and hormones, enhance immunity, and promote overall well-being by supporting the body's natural healing processes.

What are Cupping, Moxibustion, Gua Sha, and Tui Na?

These are adjunct therapies used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Cupping involves placing cups on the skin to create suction, aiding circulation and pain relief. Moxibustion involves burning mugwort near or on acupuncture points to warm and invigorate Qi and Blood. Gua Sha uses a smooth-edged tool to gently scrape the skin, promoting circulation and reducing inflammation. Tui Na is a therapeutic massage that uses various hand techniques to address pain and improve Qi flow. Your practitioner will determine if any of these therapies are suitable for your condition.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

Qi is the vital energy or life force that animates the body, and meridians are the channels through which Qi flows, connecting organs and tissues. Proper flow of Qi is essential for health; blockages or deficiencies can lead to illness. TCM therapies aim to restore the balanced and smooth flow of Qi within these meridians.

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

When prescribed by a qualified and registered TCM practitioner, Chinese herbal formulas are generally safe and effective. R.TCMPs are trained to select high-quality herbs, recognize potential herb-drug interactions, and avoid contraindications, especially during pregnancy. It is important to inform your practitioner of all medications and health conditions to ensure safe and appropriate herbal treatment. Self-prescribing or purchasing herbs from unreliable sources is strongly discouraged due to risks of contamination, incorrect formulations, and adverse interactions.

Are acupuncture and TCM services covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)?

In Ontario, acupuncture and TCM services provided by registered practitioners are generally not covered by OHIP and are paid out-of-pocket. Some private health insurance plans may offer partial coverage, so it is advisable to check your individual policy for details.

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

TCM is a comprehensive medical system that includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, Tui Na massage, cupping, moxibustion, and dietary advice. A registered TCM Practitioner uses these therapies to address the root causes of health issues, aiming to restore harmony in the body's Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang, thereby promoting long-term health and wellness.

FAKLAN HEALTH SERVICES
658 Upper James Street
Hamilton, ON, L9C 2Z3

Phone: (905) 318-5294

Michael Faklan 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=ca40d22e-bf76-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.