Erika Catherine Holenski

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

Mental Emotional Sleep

• Depression, Low Mood & Mood Swings (Supportive TCM Care): Holistic care aimed at supporting emotional balance, uplifting mood, increasing motivation, and enhancing overall mental well-being as part of an integrative mental health strategy.
• Stress, Anxiety, Panic Attacks & Emotional Imbalances: Supporting emotional well-being by addressing underlying imbalances in organ systems (e.g., Liver Qi Stagnation leading to irritability, Heart Blood Deficiency causing anxiety) that contribute to mood disturbances, worry, or fear.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support (TCM): Supportive TCM care to help restore a sense of safety, peace, and emotional resilience for those affected by trauma.
• Addiction Support (e.g., Smoking Cessation, Substance Cravings - NADA Protocol): Supporting detoxification pathways, promoting emotional balance, and strengthening willpower as part of a comprehensive addiction treatment and relapse prevention plan.

Pain Musculoskeletal

• Chronic & Acute Pain (e.g., Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Sciatica): Addressing pain by unblocking Qi (vital energy) and Blood stagnation in the meridians, promoting circulation to nourish tissues, and relaxing tense muscles and tendons.
• Neuropathic Pain & Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g., Diabetic Neuropathy Support, Post-Herpetic Neuralgia): Effective TCM management strategies for shooting, burning, or electric-shock like pain that follows nerve pathways, aiming to improve sensation and function.
• Sports Injuries (e.g., Sprains, Strains, Tendinitis) & Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI): Reducing inflammation and swelling, promoting efficient tissue repair, alleviating pain, and restoring optimal function to injured areas to facilitate a quicker and safer return to athletic activity or work.

Other Common

• 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.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) & Adrenal Fatigue Support (TCM): Restoring vitality and improving overall stamina by addressing underlying deficiencies and energetic blockages from a TCM perspective, often focusing on adrenal and mitochondrial support through TCM principles.

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. Erika can assess your needs.

• 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.
• Acupressure & Meridian Therapy: Targeting key energy points on the body with precise pressure to alleviate symptoms, support organ function, and enhance overall well-being.
• Scalp Acupuncture (Neuroacupuncture): Specialized scalp needling techniques drawing from both traditional TCM and modern neurology to modulate brain activity and address challenging neurological and pain-related health issues.
• Motor Point Acupuncture / Dry Needling (TCM Context): Precise needling of tight muscle bands and trigger points to reduce pain, improve local circulation, and restore normal muscle tone and movement patterns.
• Cupping Therapy (Fire Cupping, Sliding Cupping, Stationary Cupping): Utilizing cupping techniques to alleviate musculoskeletal pain (back, shoulder, neck), clear stagnation, support detoxification, and relieve symptoms of common colds or asthma.
• Electroacupuncture: Combining traditional acupuncture with modern microcurrent technology to amplify pain relief, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue healing and nerve regeneration.
• Acupuncture Treatment (Body Acupuncture): Customized acupuncture sessions designed to address your specific symptoms and underlying TCM pattern diagnosis, encouraging the body's powerful self-healing mechanisms and promoting overall well-being.

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

• Erika believes in a partnership with patients. When trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up feeling tired and unrefreshed arises, a collaborative TCM plan targets a more positive outlook and improved mood stability, enabling a more active lifestyle including having the consistent energy and motivation to pursue creative outlets, learning, or personal passions.
• Understanding that that nagging back pain that just won't go away can be frustrating, Erika applies TCM wisdom to help patients achieve clearer breathing, reduced sinus congestion, and improved respiratory function, making it possible to rediscover the joy in managing the physical demands of their job without constant pain.
• Experiencing knee, hip, or other joint pain making movement difficult can be draining. Erika 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 shoveling snow or raking leaves without aggravating their back feeling revitalized.
• Dealing with the ongoing challenges of wanting to support my body's natural detoxification processes? Erika works collaboratively with patients to reach the goal of experiencing more regular, balanced, and manageable menstrual cycles with substantially reduced PMS or PMDD symptoms. This might involve specific acupuncture protocols, cupping, or moxibustion, all aimed at helping you confidently resume having more regular and comfortable menstrual cycles, allowing for uninterrupted daily life and activities.

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

Erika practices at an acupuncture and TCM clinic located in Downtown Kitchener, in the Cedar Hill neighborhood. The clinic is conveniently situated near Sportsworld Crossing and is easily accessible via Grand River Transit (GRT), including bus services and the ION Light Rail. Our clinic offers a serene environment for healing, with accessible facilities and typically available parking options for patients.

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.

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 for these services. However, many private or extended health insurance plans do offer coverage for treatments by registered practitioners, so it is advisable to check with your provider. 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 the body to stimulate energy flow according to TCM principles. It can help with a wide range of conditions such as pain, stress, digestive issues, and menstrual health by activating the body's natural healing mechanisms and restoring balance.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic health system rooted in ancient principles that assess overall health patterns. A Registered Acupuncturist evaluates your health through tongue and pulse diagnosis and creates personalized treatment plans that may include acupuncture, herbal formulas, cupping, and lifestyle advice to restore harmony within your body.

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

Patients in Ontario can typically see a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner directly without a physician's referral, a process known as direct access. However, some private insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement, so it is recommended to verify your insurance policy's requirements beforehand.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Acupuncture needles are extremely fine, sterile, and single-use, often not much thicker than a human hair. Most patients experience little to no discomfort, feeling only a slight prick or tingling. Once needles are inserted, many report a calming sensation or a feeling of energy moving. Registered practitioners prioritize safety by using only sterile, disposable needles. If any discomfort occurs, patients should communicate with their practitioner immediately.

B2-417 King Street West
Kitchener, ON, N2G 1C2

Phone: (519) 576-2222

Erika Catherine Holenski 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=17ba6589-c876-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.