Hai Gang Zhou is a dedicated Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) (Acupuncture Services). Practicing at Zhou Hai Gang Acupuncture in New Westminster, BC, Hai Gang is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, adhering to the standards set by The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.
Hai Gang's role involves providing skilled acupuncture treatments for a wide variety of common health concerns, including pain management (musculoskeletal pain, headaches), stress reduction, sleep issues, and general wellness support. Care is focused on using acupuncture to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and restore energetic balance according to TCM principles. Patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, benefit from Hai Gang's holistic approach to health.
Hai Gang Zhou completed their RTCMP with clinical training and experience, demonstrating a deep commitment to ongoing professional learning and upholding the highest standards of TCM practice. Hai Gang has a particular interest and further training in areas such as TCM dietary therapy, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine, ensuring a comprehensive and integrative approach to patient care. Key aspects of Hai Gang's practice philosophy include identifying and treating the root cause of illness (Ben Qíu Bìng Gēn), utilizing time-tested therapies like acupuncture and herbal medicine to support the body's innate healing capacity and restore natural balance (Yin-Yang Harmony), and adopting a holistic view of the body as an interconnected system where physical, mental, and emotional aspects are inseparable. Hai Gang offers consultations in English to ensure clear communication and understanding.
Hai Gang Zhou provides skilled Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:
Dermatological Skin
- Rosacea (Supportive TCM Care): Addressing underlying inflammation and vascular reactivity contributing to rosacea flare-ups.
- Psoriasis (Supportive TCM Care): A holistic approach to support skin health and manage the chronicity of psoriasis.
- Urticaria (Hives) & Allergic Skin Reactions: Addressing underlying immune system sensitivities and internal imbalances that trigger urticarial outbreaks.
- Acne (Vulgaris, Cystic, Hormonal): Acupuncture and customized herbal formulas to treat acne by clearing pathogenic Heat and Damp-Heat from the Lungs and Stomach, reducing inflammation, balancing hormones, and promoting healthy skin detoxification pathways.
Other Common
- Bell's Palsy & Facial Paralysis Recovery: Supporting nerve healing and restoring facial muscle control through targeted acupuncture and TCM therapies.
- Dizziness & Vertigo (TCM Perspective): Natural relief from sensations of spinning, lightheadedness, or unsteadiness by addressing the root energetic imbalance.
- 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.
Mental Emotional Sleep
- Addiction Support (e.g., Smoking Cessation, Substance Cravings - NADA Protocol): Auricular (ear) and body acupuncture protocols, such as the NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) protocol, to help reduce cravings, manage withdrawal symptoms (anxiety, irritability, insomnia), and calm the nervous system during smoking cessation or recovery from other substance dependencies.
- Insomnia & Various Sleep Disorders (e.g., Difficulty Falling/Staying Asleep, Dream-Disturbed Sleep): Identifying specific TCM patterns contributing to poor sleep (e.g., difficulty falling asleep versus waking frequently) and providing personalized treatments to re-establish healthy sleep-wake cycles.
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. Hai Gang can assess your needs.
- Qigong & Tai Chi Exercise Recommendations: Recommending specific Qigong or Tai Chi forms tailored to an individual's health needs and constitution to support healing and maintain 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.
- 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.
- Acupuncture Treatment (Body Acupuncture): Insertion of fine, sterile, single-use needles into specific acupoints on the body's meridians (energy pathways) to stimulate Qi (vital energy) flow, alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, regulate organ function, and promote natural healing.
- 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.
- TCM Dietary Therapy & Nutritional Counseling (Shi Liao): Guidance on incorporating specific therapeutic foods and avoiding detrimental ones to align with your TCM pattern diagnosis, enhance treatment outcomes, and support seasonal well-being.
- 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).
Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Hai Gang, 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 BC and the standards set by The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.
At Zhou Hai Gang Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Hai Gang frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:
- If wanting to improve my overall energy, focus, and vitality naturally is affecting your ability to participate in enjoying intimacy without pain or hormonal imbalances interfering, Hai Gang's TCM approach aims for reduced cravings and better management of withdrawal symptoms, aiding in addiction recovery (e.g., smoking cessation), helping you to regain your stride.
- Many individuals seek the expertise of Hai Gang, their Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, when trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up feeling tired and unrefreshed impacts their daily life. Through personalized TCM treatments, they often achieve improved circulation, often described as a feeling of warmth or better flow in extremities, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like enjoying meals without digestive discomfort, bloating, or subsequent fatigue.
- The path to overcoming circulatory problems, feeling cold often, or having cold hands and feet and achieving significant and lasting reduction in acute or chronic pain levels is often clearer with TCM. Hai Gang guides patients toward reclaiming activities such as playing actively and roughhousing with their young kids or grandkids with joy and energy with improved health.
- Restoring harmony is key in TCM. For managing side effects from chemotherapy or radiation treatments more comfortably, Hai Gang crafts treatments to achieve a significant reduction in allergy symptoms (sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes) and less reliance on allergy medications, supporting a return to activities like running their usual 5k route without knee or back pain with comfort and confidence.
Your personalized TCM treatment plan, developed with Hai Gang, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives using a holistic and time-tested approach.
Hai Gang practices at Zhou Hai Gang Acupuncture, situated in the Uptown, Massey Victory Heights neighborhood of New Westminster. The clinic is conveniently located near the Uptown Business District and is easily accessible via TransLink, including the SkyTrain Expo Line and local bus routes. Our clinic offers a serene environment conducive to healing, with accessible entry and typically available parking options for patients to enjoy a comfortable visit.
- Is TCM and Acupuncture suitable for children or the elderly?
- Yes, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture can be very beneficial and safe for both children and the elderly when administered by a qualified and experienced Registered TCM Practitioner. For children, practitioners often use very gentle techniques, including non-needle methods like Shonishin, acupressure, or very fine, quickly inserted needles if appropriate. Dosages for herbal medicine are also adjusted for children. For elderly patients, treatments are tailored to their specific health conditions and constitution, often focusing on managing chronic pain, improving mobility, boosting energy, and supporting overall vitality. Treatment plans are always individualized to ensure safety and comfort.
- Are Chinese Herbal Medicines safe? (If prescribed by an R.TCMP or Dr.TCM)
- When prescribed by a qualified and Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) or Doctor of TCM (Dr.TCM), who has extensive training in herbal pharmacology, Chinese herbal formulas are generally safe and effective. R.TCMPs are trained to identify herb quality, potential herb-drug interactions, and contraindications for specific health conditions or during pregnancy. It is important to inform the practitioner about all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and existing health issues. Avoid self-prescribing herbs or purchasing from unreliable sources, as this can pose risks of incorrect diagnosis, contamination, or adverse interactions. R.TCMPs often source herbs from trusted suppliers who perform quality testing to ensure safety.
- What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how can a Registered TCM Practitioner help?
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a comprehensive medical system used for thousands of years to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness. It encompasses therapies such as acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tui Na massage, cupping, moxibustion, and dietary/lifestyle advice. A Registered TCM Practitioner uses these modalities to identify and correct imbalances in the body's Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang, addressing the root cause of health issues. TCM aims to restore harmony within the body, promoting long-term health and wellness across a wide range of conditions.
- Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?
- Acupuncture needles are extremely fine, sterile, and single-use, often not much thicker than a human hair. Insertion is usually painless or feels like a tiny prick, much less than an injection. You may feel sensations such as dull ache, warmth, tingling, or heaviness, which are signs of Qi movement and therapeutic effect. Most patients find the experience relaxing and calming. Registered practitioners ensure safety by using only sterile, disposable needles. Please communicate with your practitioner if you experience any discomfort during treatment.
- What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?
- **Qi** is the vital energy or life force that sustains health in TCM. When Qi flows freely and abundantly through the meridians—channels that connect organs and tissues—well-being is maintained. Blockages or deficiencies in Qi can lead to illness or pain. Acupuncture and other TCM therapies aim to restore the proper flow of Qi within these meridians to promote health and balance.
- What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?
- Acupuncture involves inserting thin, sterile needles at specific points on the body to stimulate Qi flow and restore balance. It can help manage pain, reduce stress, improve digestion, and support overall health by activating the body's natural healing mechanisms. Many patients experience relief from conditions such as headaches, musculoskeletal pain, and emotional stress through regular acupuncture treatments.
- Are Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine services covered by Medical Services Plan (MSP) in BC?
- Services provided by a Registered TCM Practitioner or Acupuncturist in a private clinic are generally not covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) in BC. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket for these therapies. However, many extended health insurance plans offer partial or full coverage for services from registered practitioners. It is advisable to check with your insurance provider to confirm coverage and reimbursement options.
- Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Registered TCM Practitioner in BC?
- In BC, patients can usually access a Registered TCM Practitioner directly without a physician's referral. This is known as direct access. Nonetheless, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. Patients are encouraged to verify their insurance policies to ensure coverage and reimbursement eligibility.
Zhou Hai Gang Acupuncture
218-700 Park Crescent
New Westminster, BC, V3L 5T9
Phone: (604) 445-1978
Hai Gang Zhou is regulated by the Health Professions Act (British Columbia) in BC and is a registered member of The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.
Registration can typically be verified with The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.
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.