Edwin Galeano

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

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.
• Supportive Care During & After Cancer Treatments (Chemotherapy/Radiation Side Effects): Supporting the body's strength (Zheng Qi), protecting healthy cells, reducing toxic side effects, and promoting recovery and vitality during and after chemotherapy or radiation therapy from a TCM perspective.

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: TCM strategies to identify and manage dietary and emotional triggers for digestive distress, improve nutrient absorption, and restore comfortable and regular bowel function.
• Acid Reflux (GERD), Heartburn & Indigestion (Dyspepsia): Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments, including acupuncture and specific herbal formulas, to address symptoms of heartburn, acid regurgitation, belching, and indigestion by strengthening Spleen Qi, ensuring the proper downward flow of rebellious Stomach Qi, and clearing any Stomach Heat or Food Stagnation.
• Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis (IBD) - Supportive TCM Care: Acupuncture and herbal medicine as a complementary therapy to help manage symptoms, reduce inflammation, and improve quality of life for individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. (Used alongside conventional medical management).

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. Edwin can assess your needs.

• Electroacupuncture: Utilizing precisely controlled electrical stimulation through acupuncture needles to provide stronger or more sustained activation of Qi and Blood flow in the meridians.
• 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).
• Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture / Acupressure / Ear Seeds: Ear acupuncture or acupressure (using seeds for prolonged stimulation) to address issues like pain, addiction (e.g., smoking cessation, NADA protocol), stress, anxiety, and internal disorders by targeting corresponding reflex points on the ear.
• TCM Observation & Palpation Diagnosis: Utilizing traditional TCM observational skills (Wang) and palpation (Qie - beyond just pulse) to gather diagnostic clues about your underlying pattern of imbalance.
• TCM Tongue Diagnosis: Detailed observation of the tongue's color, shape, size, coating, cracks, and moisture to gain crucial insights into the state of your internal organs, fluid balance, and overall energetic balance.
• TCM Pulse Diagnosis (Sphygmology): A subtle and sophisticated TCM diagnostic technique requiring extensive training, used to understand the energetic state of your Zang-Fu organs and overall constitution.
• Comprehensive TCM Health Assessment & Pattern Diagnosis: An extensive assessment exploring your main health concerns through the holistic lens of TCM, including detailed questioning, tongue and pulse diagnosis, and observation of physical signs to determine the root cause of disharmony and guide treatment.

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

• Restoring harmony is key in TCM. For managing side effects from chemotherapy or radiation treatments more comfortably, Edwin crafts treatments to achieve a noticeable reduction in muscle tension, tightness, and related discomfort or stiffness, supporting a return to activities like resuming their weightlifting routine at the gym safely with comfort and confidence.
• Many find that TCM with Edwin not only helps with feeling down, having persistent low mood, or experiencing unpredictable mood swings but also brings about enhanced fertility potential, optimized reproductive health, and better support during pregnancy and postpartum, allowing for a more fulfilling engagement in sleeping soundly through the night and waking refreshed and energetic.
• Many patients have found lasting relief from frequent headaches or intense migraines disrupting my life and achieved enhanced stress management capabilities and improved coping mechanisms for daily pressures under the care of Edwin, allowing them to re-engage with activities such as spending hours gardening comfortably, without subsequent back or knee strain with renewed vitality and ease.
• Patients struggling with seasonal allergies (hay fever) making me sneeze, congested, and miserable can find dedicated support from Edwin. The therapeutic focus is on achieving improved circulation, often described as a feeling of warmth or better flow in extremities, using a range of TCM modalities to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as maintaining their balance and stability while walking on uneven ground or trails.

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

Edwin practices at Hands For Health Inc, situated in the Queen Street Corridor East, Bramalea Woods neighborhood of Brampton. The clinic is conveniently located near Brampton South Fletchers Sportsplex and is accessible via Brampton Transit, including the Züm BRT system. Our clinic offers a peaceful environment conducive to healing, with metered and paid parking lots usually available nearby, making your visit both easy and relaxing.

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) in ON. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket for these services. It is strongly advised to check your private or extended health insurance plans, as many do offer some coverage for services provided by registered practitioners. Coverage levels can vary significantly depending on your plan.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture, performed by a qualified Registered Acupuncturist, involves inserting thin, sterile needles at specific points on your body based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. It aims to restore the balance of your body's energy flow, known as Qi, and can be beneficial for conditions such as pain (back pain, headaches), stress, digestive issues, menstrual problems, and more by activating your body's natural healing mechanisms.

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

This varies from person to person. Some acute issues may resolve after just a few sessions, while chronic conditions often require a series of treatments, typically once or twice weekly at first, then gradually lessening as your condition improves. Your Registered Acupuncturist will provide a tailored plan and regularly reassess your progress to adjust the treatment frequency accordingly.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Acupuncture needles are extremely fine, sterile, and single-use, usually thinner than a human hair. Insertion is generally painless or feels like a tiny prick. During treatment, you may experience sensations such as warmth, tingling, heaviness, or a dull ache, which are signs that Qi is being influenced. Most patients find acupuncture relaxing. Safety is a top priority; registered practitioners only use sterile, disposable needles. Always communicate with your practitioner if you experience discomfort.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

**Qi** represents the vital energy or life force that flows through the body, maintaining health when flowing smoothly. **Meridians** are channels that carry Qi and Blood throughout the body, connecting organs and tissues. Blockages or deficiencies in Qi flow can lead to illness or pain. Acupuncture aims to restore the proper flow of Qi within these meridians, promoting harmony and healing.

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

TCM is a comprehensive medical system that includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage (Tui Na), cupping, moxibustion, and dietary advice. A Registered Acupuncturist uses these tools to identify and correct imbalances in Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang, addressing root causes of health issues. TCM aims to restore harmony within the body to promote long-term health and wellness.

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

In Ontario, patients can typically consult 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. It is advisable to check with your insurance provider to confirm their requirements before your appointment.

Hands For Health Inc
492 Main Street North
Brampton, ON, L6V 1P9

Phone: (905) 290-1451

Edwin Galeano 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=b37d3410-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.