Frank Astri

Frank's practice is situated within an acupuncture and TCM clinic in Barrie, located in the Downtown Barrie East Bayfield neighborhood. The clinic is conveniently near South Barrie GO Station and easily accessible via Barrie Transit. Our clinic offers a serene environment for healing, providing a peaceful space to support your wellness journey. Street parking is often available nearby for your convenience.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Acupressure & Meridian Therapy: Targeting key energy points on the body with precise pressure to alleviate symptoms, support organ function, and enhance overall well-being.
• 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.
• 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.

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

• The path to overcoming feeling stressed out, anxious, overwhelmed, or panicky most of the time and achieving noticeable improvement in digestive comfort, with significantly less bloating, gas, or abdominal pain is often clearer with TCM. Frank guides patients toward reclaiming activities such as traveling more comfortably without being plagued by motion sickness, digestive upset, or travel-related anxiety with improved health.
• Many find that TCM with Frank not only helps with TMJ, jaw pain, or teeth grinding that causes discomfort and headaches but also brings about for children, experiencing fewer common ailments and demonstrating improved overall health and development, allowing for a more fulfilling engagement in resuming their weightlifting routine at the gym safely.
• It's rewarding for Frank to witness patients find relief from wanting to improve their overall energy, focus, and vitality naturally and experience gaining a deeper understanding of their body’s unique energetic patterns and needs according to TCM principles through TCM. A tailored approach can make a significant difference in your ability to participate in keeping up with your team during our weekly soccer match without pain again.

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

Frank's practice is located within an acupuncture and TCM clinic in Barrie, situated in the Downtown Barrie East Bayfield neighborhood. The clinic is conveniently near South Barrie GO Station and is accessible via Barrie Transit. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

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, thanks to direct access. However, it is important to note that while a referral is not legally required, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. Patients are strongly advised to check their individual insurance policies to confirm specific requirements.

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 Acupuncturist immediately.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

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

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

Services provided by a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner in a private clinic are generally not covered by Ontario's public health plan (OHIP). Patients usually pay out-of-pocket. However, many private and extended health insurance plans offer coverage for these services, so it's advisable to check your individual policy for details as coverage varies.

What types of conditions do Registered Acupuncturists at our clinic treat?

Our Registered Acupuncturists treat a wide range of health concerns using Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. This includes conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) & Endometriosis — TCM Supportive Care, chronic pain conditions such as back pain or arthritis, sports injuries like sprains and tendinitis, as well as digestive issues, stress-related symptoms, sleep disorders, women's health issues including PMS and menopause, and overall wellness support. Treatments often involve TCM Pulse Diagnosis (Sphygmology), alongside TCM Observation & Palpation Diagnosis, moxibustion, or dietary advice based on your specific TCM diagnosis.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

**Qi** is the vital energy or life force that animates the body and supports all physiological functions. When Qi flows smoothly and abundantly, health is maintained. **Meridians** are channels that carry Qi and Blood throughout the body, connecting organs and tissues. Blockages, deficiencies, or excesses in these meridians can lead to illness or pain. Acupuncture and other TCM therapies aim to restore the proper flow of Qi within these channels to promote health and balance.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a comprehensive system of healthcare that includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, Tui Na massage, cupping, moxibustion, and dietary/lifestyle advice. A Registered Acupuncturist uses these therapies to identify and correct imbalances in the body's Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang, addressing the root causes of health issues. TCM aims to restore harmony and promote long-term wellness across various conditions.

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

These are adjunct therapies often used alongside acupuncture. Cupping involves placing cups on the skin to create suction, helping to relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, and support detoxification. Moxibustion involves burning mugwort near or on acupuncture points to warm and invigorate Qi and Blood, especially for cold or deficient conditions. Gua Sha involves scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool to improve circulation and reduce pain. Tui Na is Chinese therapeutic massage that uses various manual techniques to promote Qi flow, relieve pain, and restore balance. Your practitioner will determine if these therapies are appropriate for your condition.

105-48 Alliance Blvd. Bld. A
Barrie, ON, L4M 5K3

Phone: (705) 726-4331

Frank Astri 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=31ddf62b-c376-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.