Hee Sung Ko – Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Acupuncturist | Hamilton, ON

Hee Sung Ko is a dedicated Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCMP) (Acupuncture Services). Practicing at Hee sung Ko in Hamilton, ON, she is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, adhering to the standards set by The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario.

Hee's role focuses on 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. Her care is centered on using acupuncture to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and restore energetic balance according to TCM principles. She serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, with compassion and professionalism.

Hee Sung Ko completed her R. TCMP, R. Ac (Graduating Class of 2013). With over 11 years of dedicated practice since 2013, she is committed to ongoing professional learning and upholding the highest standards of TCM practice. She has a particular interest and further training in areas such as TCM dietary therapy, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine. Her practice philosophy emphasizes a commitment to individualized treatment based on precise TCM pattern differentiation and a holistic approach, viewing the body as an interconnected system where physical, mental, and emotional aspects are inseparable. She offers consultations in English and Korean.

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

Dermatological Skin

• Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) & Dermatitis: TCM approaches including acupuncture, internal herbal medicine, and topical herbal applications to alleviate itching, redness, and inflammation associated with eczema by clearing Heat, resolving Dampness, expelling Wind, and nourishing Blood or Yin depending on the specific TCM pattern.
• Psoriasis (Supportive TCM Care): Working to reduce inflammation and modulate the immune response from a TCM perspective to improve skin lesions and overall comfort.
• 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.

Pain & Musculoskeletal

• Neuropathic Pain & Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g., Diabetic Neuropathy Support, Post-Herpetic Neuralgia): Addressing neuropathic pain by invigorating Qi and Blood flow along affected meridians, nourishing Yin and Blood to repair damaged nerves, and resolving blockages or stagnation.
• Arthritis & Joint Pain (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis - Supportive Care): Managing arthritic symptoms by addressing underlying TCM patterns such as Bi Syndrome (Painful Obstruction due to Wind, Cold, Damp, or Heat), and nourishing Kidney essence to support bone and joint health.

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. Hee can assess your needs.

• 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.
• TCM Observation & Palpation Diagnosis: Careful observation of your complexion, eyes, hair, nails, posture, and demeanor, combined with palpation of specific body areas or meridians to detect tenderness, temperature changes, or energetic blockages.
• 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 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.
• 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.
• Electroacupuncture: Utilizing precisely controlled electrical stimulation through acupuncture needles to provide stronger or more sustained activation of Qi and Blood flow in the meridians.
• 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 Hee, 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 ON and the standards set by The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario.

At Hee sung Ko, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Hee frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• When general muscle tension, stiffness, and aches throughout my body is limiting your lifestyle, acupuncture and TCM with Hee can help you work towards enhanced stress management capabilities and improved coping mechanisms for daily pressures, aiming to restore harmony and optimal function so you can comfortably and safely enjoy cycling longer distances with their cycling club without discomfort.
• Struggling with feeling tired all the time, experiencing chronic fatigue, or lacking vitality? Hee develops individualized TCM treatment plans aimed at achieving enhanced fertility potential, optimized reproductive health, and better support during pregnancy and postpartum, key to helping you get back to doing enjoying intimacy without pain or hormonal imbalances interfering with improved well-being and energy.
• Rediscover your ability to keep up with your team during our weekly soccer match without pain limiting you, and without the burden of TMJ, jaw pain, or teeth grinding that cause discomfort and headaches. She focuses on TCM treatment plans that lead to fewer common ailments and improved overall health and development, integrating various therapeutic techniques to support your body's healing.
• If feeling down, having persistent low mood, or experiencing unpredictable mood swings, Hee offers skilled acupuncture and TCM care. Her treatments aim to help you feel calmer, less anxious, and more emotionally balanced and resilient, often utilizing acupuncture, herbal remedies (if R.TCMP), and lifestyle advice to help you regain balance and function.

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

Hee practices at 'Hee sung Ko', situated in the Hamilton Mountain Central South (Ryckmans, Allison) neighborhood of Hamilton. The clinic is conveniently located near Bayfront Park and is accessible via Hamilton Street Railway (HSR). Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

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.

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

Generally, acupuncture and TCM services provided by a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) or Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) in a private clinic are not covered by Ontario's OHIP. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket for these services. However, many private or extended health insurance plans may offer partial or full coverage for treatments by registered practitioners, so it is advisable to check with your insurer. Coverage levels and requirements vary significantly among providers.

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 high-quality herbs, potential herb-drug interactions, and contraindications for specific health conditions or during pregnancy. It is important to inform your practitioner about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, to ensure safety. Avoid self-prescribing or purchasing herbs from unreliable sources to prevent risks such as incorrect diagnosis, contamination, or adverse interactions.

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. Once inserted, some people experience sensations such as dull ache, warmth, tingling, or a feeling of heaviness, which are signs that Qi is being influenced. The needles are safe when used by a trained practitioner who adheres to strict sterilization protocols. Always communicate with your practitioner if you experience discomfort during treatment.

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

In Ontario, patients can typically see a Registered TCM Practitioner or Registered Acupuncturist directly without a physician’s referral (known as direct access). However, some private insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is recommended to verify with your insurer regarding any referral requirements.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic system based on ancient principles that aim to restore balance and promote health. A Registered TCM Practitioner assesses your overall health, often using tongue and pulse diagnosis, to identify patterns of imbalance. Treatments may include acupuncture, herbal formulas, cupping, moxibustion, and lifestyle advice tailored to your individual needs to support your body's natural healing processes.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

In TCM, **Qi** (pronounced 'chee') is the vital energy or life force that circulates through the body via specific pathways called **meridians**. These meridians connect organs and tissues, facilitating the flow of Qi and Blood. Acupuncture points along these meridians are stimulated to restore balance, improve function, and promote health.

Hee sung Ko
1133 Upper Paradise road
Hamilton, ON, L9B 2N3

Phone: (905) 870-1394

Hee Sung Ko 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=e9def62b-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.