Jeanne Louise Margaret Sumner

Jeanne Louise Margaret Sumner provides skilled Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Other Common

• Dizziness & Vertigo (TCM Perspective): Differentiating the cause of dizziness (e.g., Meniere's disease support, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo - BPPV support) from a TCM viewpoint and applying specific treatments to restore balance.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) & Adrenal Fatigue Support (TCM): Natural and comprehensive solutions for combating persistent, debilitating tiredness, improving energy production, and enhancing overall resilience and quality of life.
• Bell's Palsy & Facial Paralysis Recovery: Early and consistent TCM intervention to maximize functional recovery and minimize residual facial weakness or asymmetry.
• Support for Autoimmune Conditions (e.g., Hashimoto's, Lupus, MS - Adjunctive Care): Focusing on harmonizing Yin and Yang, clearing pathogenic factors (like Heat or Damp), nourishing deficient substances (Qi, Blood, Yin, Yang), and resolving stagnation to support overall systemic balance.

Mental Emotional Sleep

• Insomnia & Various Sleep Disorders (e.g., Difficulty Falling/Staying Asleep, Dream-Disturbed Sleep): Restoring healthy, restorative sleep patterns and improving overall sleep quality naturally through TCM interventions, without the side effects of sleep medications.
• 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.
• 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.
• Addiction Support (e.g., Smoking Cessation, Substance Cravings - NADA Protocol): Natural and effective aid to assist individuals in their journey to overcome addictive behaviors and reduce reliance on harmful substances.

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. Jeanne can assess your needs.

• 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.
• Tui Na (Chinese Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork): A comprehensive form of Chinese therapeutic massage and bodywork that utilizes a wide range of hand techniques (e.g., pushing, grasping, rolling, pressing, kneading) to manipulate soft tissues and joints, stimulate acupressure points, and promote the harmonious flow of Qi and Blood through the meridians, thereby relieving pain, correcting musculoskeletal imbalances, and treating various internal medicine conditions. (Typically offered by R.TCMP or specifically trained R.Ac).
• Acupuncture Treatment (Body Acupuncture): A therapeutic technique involving strategic needling of acupoints to restore balance between Yin and Yang, treating a wide range of health conditions from musculoskeletal pain to internal medicine disorders.
• Scalp Acupuncture (Neuroacupuncture): A contemporary acupuncture technique involving the insertion of needles into specific therapeutic zones on the scalp that correspond to different body functions and brain areas (e.g., motor, sensory, balance zones), primarily used for neurological disorders, stroke rehabilitation, chronic pain, and psycho-emotional conditions.
• Moxibustion (Moxa Therapy): The therapeutic application of heat from burning processed mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) near or on the skin at specific acupuncture points or areas of the body. This warms meridians, stimulates Qi and Blood flow, dispels Cold and Dampness, strengthens Yang energy, and can alleviate conditions associated with cold, stagnation, or deficiency.
• Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture / Acupressure / Ear Seeds: Stimulation of specific reflex points on the ear (auricle) using fine needles, small seeds (e.g., vaccaria seeds), or beads affixed with tape to treat various health conditions throughout the body, based on the principle that the ear is a microsystem reflecting the entire body.
• 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.

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

• Struggling with feeling down, having persistent low mood, or experiencing unpredictable mood swings? Jeanne develops individualized TCM treatment plans aimed at achieving a stronger, more robust, and resilient immune system, leading to fewer colds, flu, or other infections, key to helping you get back to doing managing their personal care routines independently with improved well-being and energy.
• Many find that TCM with Jeanne not only helps with irregular, painful, or heavy periods, or really difficult PMS symptoms but also brings about feeling empowered with practical self-care techniques, such as acupressure, moxibustion for home use, or specific TCM dietary advice, allowing for a more fulfilling engagement in participating in activities like yoga or meditation with greater ease, comfort, and deeper relaxation.
• When dizziness, lightheadedness, or vertigo that affects my balance and daily activities is limiting your lifestyle, acupuncture and TCM with Jeanne can help you work towards clearer breathing, reduced sinus congestion, and improved respiratory function, aiming to restore harmony and optimal function so you can comfortably and safely enjoy playing a few sets of tennis without shoulder or elbow pain.
• With Jeanne, an Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, individuals with sports injuries like sprains, strains, or tendonitis needing faster healing are guided towards a profound sense of relaxation, calm, and overall well-being following treatments, focusing on restoring the body's natural balance to enjoy working at a desk or computer with reduced neck, shoulder, or back tension and clearer mental focus again with greater zest.

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

Jeanne practices at Inner Zen Acupuncture Clinic, situated in the Downtown Whitby, Port Whitby neighborhood of Whitby. The clinic is conveniently located near Port Whitby Marina and is easily accessible via Durham Region Transit (DRT). Our clinic offers a serene environment conducive to healing, with metered and paid parking lots typically available in the vicinity, ensuring a comfortable and accessible experience for all clients.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture, performed by a qualified Registered Acupuncturist, is a therapeutic technique where thin needles are inserted at specific points on your body. It is based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and aims to restore balance to your body's energy flow. It can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions, including pain management (like back pain or headaches), stress reduction, digestive issues, menstrual problems, and much more, by helping to activate your body's own healing mechanisms.

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

The number and frequency of sessions required varies greatly depending on the nature of your condition (whether it's acute or chronic), its severity, how long you've had the issue, your overall health, and your individual response to treatment. For acute conditions, a few sessions (e.g., 1-3 times per week for 1-2 weeks) may bring significant relief. For chronic or more complex issues, a longer course of treatment (e.g., 6-12 weekly or bi-weekly sessions) is often necessary to achieve lasting results, followed by maintenance sessions as needed. Your Registered Acupuncturist will discuss a proposed treatment plan, including frequency and estimated duration, after your initial assessment and will continually re-evaluate your progress.

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. It is advisable to check with your private or extended health insurance provider, as many plans offer partial or full coverage for treatments by registered practitioners, though coverage levels vary significantly.

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.

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

Patients in Ontario can typically see a Registered Acupuncturist (such as a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner) directly without a physician's referral (direct access). However, some private or extended health insurance plans *do* require a referral for reimbursement. It is recommended to check your individual insurance policy for specific requirements.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic approach to health and wellness based on ancient principles. A Registered Acupuncturist will assess your overall state of health, looking for patterns of imbalance according to TCM theory (often involving tongue and pulse diagnosis). Treatment may involve acupuncture, customized herbal formulas (if an R.TCMP), cupping, moxibustion, and specific dietary and lifestyle recommendations to help restore your body's natural balance and promote healing.

What should I expect during my first Acupuncture or TCM appointment?

Your initial Acupuncture/TCM appointment will typically involve a comprehensive intake process, often lasting 60 to 90 minutes. Your Registered Acupuncturist will discuss your main health concerns in detail, review your medical history, and inquire about your lifestyle, diet, sleep patterns, and emotional state. A key part of this initial visit is the TCM diagnostic assessment, which usually includes looking at your tongue and feeling your pulse on both wrists. Based on all this information, a TCM diagnosis (identifying your specific pattern of imbalance) will be formulated. Your practitioner will then discuss a personalized treatment plan with you, which may include acupuncture, and if you are seeing an R.TCMP or Dr.TCM, potentially an herbal formula, cupping, moxibustion, or dietary/lifestyle advice. An initial acupuncture treatment is often administered during this first visit to begin addressing your concerns.

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.

Inner Zen Acupuncture Clinic
310 Byron Street South Suite 2
Whitby, ON, L1N 4P8

Phone: (905) 240-1212

Jeanne Louise Margaret Sumner 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=a5dff62b-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.