Jicai Xu – Acupuncturist | Ottawa, ON

Jicai Xu is a dedicated Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac). Practicing at Xu Acupuncture Clinic in Ottawa, ON, he 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.

Jicai's role involves providing skilled acupuncture treatments for a wide variety of common health concerns, including pain management such as musculoskeletal pain and headaches, stress reduction, sleep issues, and general wellness support. His care approach focuses on utilizing acupuncture to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and restore energetic balance according to TCM principles. He serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, ensuring accessible and comprehensive care tailored to individual needs.

Jicai Xu completed his R. Ac (Graduating Class of 2013). With over 11 years of dedicated practice since 2013, he is committed to ongoing professional learning and upholding the highest standards of TCM practice. He has a particular interest and further training in areas such as acupuncture. Emphasizing preventative care and patient education (Zhì Wèi Bìng - Treat a disease before it occurs), he adopts a holistic approach, viewing the body as an interconnected system where physical, mental, and emotional aspects are inseparable (Holism). He prioritizes identifying and treating the root cause of illness (Ben Qíu Bìng Gēn) rather than just alleviating symptoms to achieve long-lasting health. Jicai offers consultations in English and Mandarin.

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

Pain Musculoskeletal

• Arthritis & Joint Pain (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis - Supportive Care): Holistic support to improve quality of life for those suffering from chronic joint pain, swelling, and stiffness due to osteoarthritic degeneration or autoimmune joint conditions (as an adjunct to conventional care).
• Sports Injuries (e.g., Sprains, Strains, Tendinitis) & Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI): Comprehensive TCM strategies to manage pain, improve healing, and address underlying imbalances that may contribute to recurrent sports injuries or repetitive strain conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Fibromyalgia & Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Addressing underlying energetic imbalances like Liver Qi Stagnation, Spleen Qi Deficiency, and Blood Stasis, and improving overall vitality in individuals with these chronic pain conditions.
• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ/TMD) Dysfunction & Jaw Pain: Acupuncture and local soft tissue techniques to alleviate jaw pain, clicking, locking, and muscle tension associated with TMJ disorders by relaxing masticatory muscles, reducing inflammation, and improving local Qi and Blood flow.

Respiratory Allergy & Immune

• Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis & Cough (Supportive TCM Care): Holistic TCM care designed to improve breathing capacity, reduce reliance on inhalers (where appropriate and in consultation with an MD), clear persistent phlegm, and enhance overall respiratory health and resilience.
• Weak Immune System & Recurrent Infections: TCM strategies, including regular acupuncture, moxibustion, and constitutional herbal tonics, to strengthen the body's overall defensive energy (Wei Qi) and address underlying deficiencies in Qi, Blood, Yin, or Yang that may lead to a weakened immune system and frequent infections (e.g., colds, sinus infections, UTIs).
• Allergies (Seasonal/Environmental, e.g., Hay Fever, Allergic Rhinitis) & Sinusitis: Natural and effective strategies for managing acute allergy symptoms and reducing the frequency and severity of chronic allergic rhinitis or sinusitis.

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. Jicai can assess your needs.

• 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.
• Cupping Therapy (Fire Cupping, Sliding Cupping, Stationary Cupping): A traditional deep-tissue therapy using suction cups (stationary or moved along lubricated skin) to promote circulation, ease pain, break up fascial adhesions, and draw out pathogenic factors like Wind, Cold, and Dampness from the body.
• 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.
• 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.
• Tui Na (Chinese Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork): Dynamic, hands-on bodywork based on TCM principles of meridians and acupoints to correct structural misalignments, improve circulation, alleviate chronic pain, and restore energetic harmony and balance.
• 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.
• Gua Sha (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization - TCM): Traditional East Asian healing technique, often used for musculoskeletal pain, common cold, fever, or heatstroke, to address pain by moving stagnant Qi and Blood, clear heat, and promote tissue recovery.

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

• The path to overcoming that nagging back pain that just won't go away and achieving effective alleviation of some common side effects associated with conventional medical treatments like chemotherapy is often clearer with TCM. Jicai guides patients toward reclaiming activities such as having the consistent energy and motivation to pursue creative outlets, learning, or personal passions with improved health.
• If dizziness, lightheadedness, or vertigo that affects my balance and daily activities is affecting your ability to participate in taking energetic, long walks with their dog every day and enjoying it, Jicai's TCM approach aims for enjoying consistently more restful, deeper, and restorative sleep patterns, waking up refreshed, helping you to regain your stride.
• Patients struggling with symptoms of Bell's Palsy or facial paralysis needing support for recovery can find dedicated support from Jicai. The therapeutic focus is on achieving a significant reduction in allergy symptoms (sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes) and less reliance on allergy medications, using a range of TCM modalities to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as engaging in detailed crafting, sewing, or knitting hobbies for hours with clear focus.
• Many individuals seek the expertise of Jicai, their Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, when managing side effects from chemotherapy or radiation treatments more comfortably impacts their daily life. Through personalized TCM treatments, they often achieve improved mental focus, concentration, and cognitive clarity as overall health and energy improve, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like feeling more physically resilient and less prone to minor ailments or weather changes.

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

Xu Acupuncture Clinic is situated in the Elmvale Acres, Hawthorne Meadows, Billings Bridge neighborhood of Ottawa. The clinic is conveniently located near Little Italy and is easily accessible via OC Transpo, including O-Train LRT and bus routes. Our clinic offers a serene environment conducive to healing and relaxation. Metered and paid parking lots are usually available in the vicinity, making your visit convenient and stress-free.

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.

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, as direct access is permitted under provincial regulations. However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check your individual insurance policy to confirm whether a referral is necessary for coverage.

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 to stimulate energy flow based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. It can help manage pain, reduce stress, improve sleep, and address various health issues by supporting your body's natural healing mechanisms.

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. You may experience sensations such as dull ache, warmth, tingling, or heaviness, which indicate Qi activation. The needles are very safe when inserted by a licensed practitioner, who uses only sterile, disposable needles. Always communicate with your practitioner if you experience discomfort during treatment.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic approach to health that includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary advice, and other modalities. A Registered Acupuncturist assesses your overall health and patterns of imbalance, then devises a personalized treatment plan aimed at restoring balance and promoting healing based on TCM theories.

What types of conditions do Registered Acupuncturists at Xu Acupuncture Clinic treat?

Our Registered Acupuncturists treat a wide range of health concerns using Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. This includes, but is not limited to, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Bloating, Gas & Functional Digestive Upset, Arthritis & Joint Pain (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis - Supportive Care), sleep disorders, women’s health issues like PMS or menopausal symptoms, and support for overall well-being. Treatments often involve TCM Pulse Diagnosis (Sphygmology), and may also include Cupping Therapy (Fire Cupping, Sliding Cupping, Stationary Cupping), moxibustion, or dietary advice based on your specific TCM diagnosis.

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?

Services provided by a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner in a private clinic are generally not covered by Ontario's OHIP. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket for these services. However, many private or extended health plans may offer reimbursement, so it is advisable to check with your insurance provider regarding coverage options and requirements.

Xu Acupuncture Clinic
1385 Bank Street, Suite 201
Ottawa, ON, K1H 8N4

Phone: (613) 232-6036

Jicai Xu 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=577ac309-b976-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.