Xiu Chun Zhang

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

Respiratory Allergy Immune

• Common Cold, Flu & Viral Infections (Prevention & Accelerated Recovery): Natural support for strengthening your immunity, reducing susceptibility to common infections, and helping you recover more quickly and completely when you do get sick.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Other Common

• Bell's Palsy & Facial Paralysis Recovery: Supporting nerve healing and restoring facial muscle control through targeted acupuncture and TCM therapies.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) & Adrenal Fatigue Support (TCM): Acupuncture, moxibustion, and tonifying herbal therapies to address the profound exhaustion and complex symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by strengthening Spleen Qi, nourishing Kidney Essence (Yin and Yang), resolving Dampness, and calming the Shen.
• Dizziness & Vertigo (TCM Perspective): Acupuncture and herbal formulas to address various types of dizziness and vertigo by treating underlying TCM patterns such as Liver Yang Rising, Phlegm-Damp obstruction, or Qi and Blood deficiency.

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. Xiu can assess your needs.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Tui Na (Chinese Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork): Dynamic, hands-on bodywork based on TCM principles of meridians and acupoints to correct structural misalignments, improve circulation, alleviate chronic pain, and restore energetic harmony and balance.
• 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.
• Gua Sha (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization - TCM): Instrument-assisted unidirectional press-stroking of the skin to break up stagnation, improve local circulation, alleviate pain, stiffness, and fever, and promote lymphatic drainage.

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

• The path to overcoming general muscle tension, stiffness, and aches throughout my body and experiencing fewer and less intense headaches or migraines, leading to more pain-free days is often clearer with TCM. Xiu guides patients toward reclaiming activities such as engaging in mindful practices with a calmer and more centered state of mind with improved health.
• Experiencing digestive issues like bloating, gas, cramps, constipation, or diarrhea (IBS-like symptoms) can be draining. Xiu utilizes acupuncture and other TCM methods to aim for noticeable improvement in digestive comfort, with significantly less bloating, gas, or abdominal pain, so patients can re-engage with playing actively and roughhousing with their young kids or grandkids with joy and energy feeling revitalized.
• Restoring harmony is key in TCM. For that nagging back pain that just won't go away, Xiu crafts treatments to achieve visible improvement in chronic skin conditions like eczema, acne, or psoriasis, with healthier-looking skin, supporting a return to activities like cycling longer distances with their cycling club without discomfort with comfort and confidence.
• Rediscover your ability to shoveling snow or raking leaves without aggravating their back without the burden of knee, hip, or other joint pain making movement difficult. Xiu focuses on TCM treatment plans that lead to for children, experiencing fewer common ailments and demonstrating improved overall health and development, integrating various therapeutic techniques to support your body's healing.

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

Xiu practices at an acupuncture and TCM clinic in Niagara Falls, situated in the Stamford Centre, North End neighborhood. The clinic is conveniently located near Fallsview Casino Resort and is accessible via Niagara Region Transit (NRT). Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic approach to health and wellness based on ancient principles. A Registered Acupuncturist 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 is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves the insertion of very fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body called acupoints. According to TCM theory, this helps to stimulate and balance the flow of Qi (vital energy) along pathways known as meridians. Acupuncture can help by reducing pain, alleviating stress and anxiety, improving sleep, regulating bodily functions (like digestion and hormones), boosting the immune system, and promoting overall well-being by encouraging the body's natural healing abilities.

Does our clinic offer direct billing to private insurance companies for Acupuncture/TCM services?

Typically, the clinic offers direct billing for services provided by Registered Acupuncturists (R.Ac) and Registered TCM Practitioners (R.TCMP) to major private insurers. Patients are advised to bring their insurance details and confirm specific coverage, such as per-visit limits, annual maximums, or referral requirements, directly with their insurer. Any non-covered portions are the patient's responsibility.

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

In Ontario, patients can usually see a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner directly without a physician's referral (known as direct access). However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. Patients should check their individual insurance policies for 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 a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) or Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) are generally not covered by Ontario's OHIP. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket, though many private insurance plans offer varying levels of coverage. It is recommended to verify with individual insurers for details.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

**Qi** is the vital energy or life force that flows through the body, essential for health. **Meridians** are channels that carry Qi and Blood, connecting organs and tissues. Disruptions or blockages in Qi flow within meridians can lead to illness or pain. Acupuncture and other TCM therapies aim to restore proper Qi flow to promote health and healing.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Acupuncture needles are very fine, sterile, and single-use, often feeling like a tiny prick or little sensation during insertion. Most patients experience minimal discomfort and find the treatment relaxing. Registered practitioners strictly follow safety protocols, using only sterile needles to ensure safety and hygiene. Communicate with your practitioner if you experience any discomfort.

Is there anything I should do to prepare for or after an acupuncture session?

It is recommended to have a light meal or snack about 1-2 hours before your session, wear loose clothing for easy access to treatment areas, and avoid caffeine or alcohol beforehand. After treatment, it's best to rest, stay hydrated, and observe any changes in your symptoms, reporting them to your practitioner at your next visit.

8882 Forestview Boulevard
Niagara Falls, ON, L2H 0C4

Phone: (905) 371-6888

Xiu Chun Zhang 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=4f7e3410-c676-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.