Juan Liu

Juan's practice is located at Juan's office in the Lakeport, Lakeshore neighborhood of St. Catharines. The clinic is conveniently situated near Lakeside Park and is easily accessible via Niagara Region Transit (NRT). Our clinic provides a serene environment conducive to healing. Street parking is often available nearby, making it convenient for patients to visit.

• Cupping Therapy (Fire Cupping, Sliding Cupping, Stationary Cupping): Application of glass, bamboo, or silicone cups to the skin to create suction (often via heat/fire for glass cups, or a pump for others). This technique helps to relieve muscle tension, improve blood and Qi flow, reduce local inflammation, release toxins, open pores, and treat respiratory conditions or musculoskeletal pain.
• Moxibustion (Moxa Therapy): Gentle and penetrating heat therapy with mugwort to strengthen the body's vital energy, improve circulation, turn breech babies (when applied to a specific point), and relieve chronic pain or fatigue.
• Gua Sha (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization - TCM): A therapeutic technique involving the gentle but firm scraping of lubricated skin with a smooth-edged tool (e.g., jade, horn, ceramic spoon) to stimulate microcirculation of the soft tissue, which releases muscle tension, breaks down adhesions and scar tissue, reduces pain and inflammation, and promotes healing and detoxification by releasing 'Sha' (stagnant blood and metabolic waste).
• Customized Chinese Herbal Medicine Prescription (R.TCMP Scope): Utilizing the synergistic therapeutic properties of traditional Chinese herbs, often in complex combinations, to restore organ function (Zang-Fu), balance Yin, Yang, Qi, and Blood, and promote profound healing from within by addressing the root cause of illness.
• Herbal Medicine Preparation & Counseling: Providing guidance on the preparation and proper usage of prescribed herbal formulas, including decoction instructions for raw herbs, dosage for granules or pills, and advice on potential dietary interactions or lifestyle adjustments to enhance herbal efficacy.
• Classical & Patent Chinese Herbal Formulas: Recommendation and dispensing of pre-made, standardized, classical Chinese herbal formulas in pill, tablet, capsule, or liquid form for common conditions and TCM patterns, offering convenience, consistent dosing, and proven efficacy. (May be recommended by R.Ac within certain guidelines or more comprehensively by R.TCMP).
• Acupressure & Meridian Therapy: Application of firm but gentle pressure to specific acupoints along the body's meridians using fingers, thumbs, or elbows to stimulate Qi flow, relieve pain, reduce tension, and promote relaxation and balance, similar to acupuncture but without needles.

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

• Juan believes in a partnership with patients. When trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up feeling tired and unrefreshed arises, a collaborative TCM plan targets enjoying consistently more restful, deeper, and restorative sleep patterns, waking up refreshed, enabling a more active lifestyle including running their usual 5k route without knee or back pain.
• Rediscover your ability to get back to golfing 18 holes without your back acting up or managing side effects from chemotherapy or radiation treatments more comfortably. Juan focuses on TCM treatment plans that lead to better overall health and development for children, supporting their growth and resilience through tailored therapies.
• Restoring harmony is key in TCM. For ringing in the ears (tinnitus) that’s bothersome, Juan crafts treatments to achieve significant and lasting reduction in acute or chronic pain levels, supporting a return to activities like maintaining a positive mood and outlook more consistently, leading to better social interactions with comfort and confidence.
• It's rewarding for Juan to witness patients find relief from fertility challenges, trying to conceive, or preparing their bodies for pregnancy. She also helps reduce allergy symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes, decreasing reliance on allergy medications. Her holistic approach supports participation in activities like yoga and Pilates with better flexibility and focus.

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

Juan's practice is located at Juan's office in the Lakeport, Lakeshore neighborhood of St. Catharines. The clinic is conveniently situated near Lakeside Park and is easily accessible via Niagara Region Transit (NRT). Our clinic provides a serene environment conducive to healing. Street parking is often available nearby, making it convenient for patients to visit.

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

Patients in Ontario can typically see a Registered TCM Practitioner—such as a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner—directly without a physician's referral, thanks to direct access. However, while a referral is not legally required, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check with your individual insurance provider to understand their specific requirements.

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

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

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

**Qi** is the vital energy or life force that animates the body and sustains its functions. When Qi flows smoothly and abundantly, health is maintained. **Meridians** are like a network of channels that carry Qi and Blood throughout the body, connecting organs and tissues. Illness or pain can occur if Qi flow becomes blocked, deficient, or excessive within these meridians. Acupuncture and other TCM therapies aim to restore proper Qi flow to promote health.

What types of conditions do Registered TCM Practitioners at Juan's office treat?

Juan's practitioners treat a wide range of health concerns using Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. This includes, but is not limited to, fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome, menstrual irregularities such as amenorrhea and PMS, sleep disorders, women's health issues like menopausal symptoms, and support for overall well-being. Treatments often involve acupuncture, cupping therapy, herbal medicine, and dietary advice tailored to individual patterns.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture involves inserting very thin needles into specific points on your body to stimulate Qi flow. Performed by a qualified practitioner, it aims to restore balance, reduce pain, alleviate stress, and support overall health. It can help with conditions like back pain, headaches, digestive issues, menstrual problems, and more, activating your body's natural healing mechanisms.

Are Chinese Herbal Medicines safe? (If prescribed by an R.TCMP or Dr.TCM)

When prescribed by a qualified and registered TCM practitioner or doctor of TCM, Chinese herbal formulas are generally safe and effective. R.TCMPs are trained to select high-quality herbs, recognize potential herb-drug interactions, and avoid contraindications. It is essential to inform your practitioner of all medications and health conditions. Self-prescribing herbs or sourcing them from unreliable suppliers is strongly discouraged due to risks of incorrect diagnosis, contamination, or adverse reactions.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

For most people, acupuncture is not painful. The needles are very thin, and many individuals feel little to no sensation when they are inserted. Some may feel a slight pinch or a dull ache, warmth, or tingling, which indicates Qi stimulation. Many patients relax deeply or fall asleep during treatment. Practitioners follow strict safety protocols, using sterile, single-use needles to prevent infection. If any discomfort occurs, patients should inform their practitioner immediately.

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

Services provided by Registered Acupuncturists (R.Ac) or Registered TCM Practitioners (R.TCMP) in private clinics are generally not covered by OHIP. Most patients pay out-of-pocket, though many private or extended health insurance plans offer some coverage for these services. It is advisable to verify your insurance policy to understand the extent of coverage available.

Juan's office
29 Royal York Road
St. Catharines, ON, L2N 2N7

Phone: (416) 823-6918

Juan Liu 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=edd9eb41-b376-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.