Julie Walsh

Julie Walsh's practice is situated in the India Bazaar area within the Beaches West neighbourhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near Little Italy and is easily accessible via TTC, including subway, streetcar, and bus routes. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Metered and paid parking lots are usually found in the vicinity.

• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• Acupressure & Meridian Therapy: Targeting key energy points on the body with precise pressure to alleviate symptoms, support organ function, and enhance overall well-being.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 Julie, 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 Julie Walsh, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Julie frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Through personalized acupuncture and TCM with Julie, common concerns like heartburn, acid reflux, or general indigestion after meals are assessed from a holistic perspective to achieve an enhanced overall quality of life and a greater capacity to enjoy daily activities and social engagements, helping people to once again enjoy managing their personal care routines independently.
• Struggling with chronic sinus congestion, pressure, or recurrent sinus infections? Julie develops individualized TCM treatment plans aimed at achieving reduced cravings and better management of withdrawal symptoms, aiding in addiction recovery (e.g., smoking cessation), key to helping you get back to doing shoveling snow or raking leaves without aggravating their back with improved well-being and energy.
• Let Julie help you navigate circulatory problems, feeling cold often, or having cold hands and feet with targeted TCM care. The goal is better regulation of body temperature, feeling less prone to being overly cold or hot, so you can fully enjoy participating in activities like yoga or meditation with greater ease, comfort, and deeper relaxation and other life pleasures once more.
• Dealing with the ongoing challenges of wanting help to quit smoking or manage withdrawal symptoms from other addictions? Julie works collaboratively with patients to reach the goal of a stronger, more robust, and resilient immune system, leading to fewer colds, flu, or other infections. This might involve specific acupuncture protocols, cupping, or moxibustion, all aimed at helping you confidently resume planning and participating in future events with confidence in their health and well-being.

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

Julie Walsh's practice is situated in the India Bazaar area within the Beaches West neighbourhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near Little Italy and is easily accessible via TTC, including subway, streetcar, and bus routes. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Metered and paid parking lots are usually found in the vicinity.

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

In Ontario, patients can generally see a Registered Acupuncturist (including Registered TCM Practitioners) directly without a physician's referral, as part of the scope of direct access care. However, while a referral is not legally required, some private or extended health insurance plans may stipulate that a referral is necessary for reimbursement. Patients are advised to check their individual insurance policies to confirm coverage requirements.

What are Cupping, Moxibustion, Gua Sha, and Tui Na?

These are all adjunctive therapies often used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Cupping involves placing cups on the skin to create suction, which can help relieve muscle tension, improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and draw out toxins. Moxibustion is the therapeutic burning of an herb (mugwort) near or on acupuncture points to warm and invigorate the flow of Qi and Blood, often used for pain, cold conditions, or to boost energy. Gua Sha involves gently scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool to improve circulation, release muscle tightness, and reduce pain or inflammation. Tui Na is a Chinese therapeutic massage that uses various hand techniques on acupressure points and meridians to relieve pain and promote balance. Your Registered Acupuncturist will determine if these therapies are appropriate for your condition.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

**Qi** is the vital energy or life force that animates the body and sustains health. When Qi flows smoothly and abundantly, health is maintained. **Meridians** are channels through which Qi and Blood circulate throughout the body, connecting organs and tissues. Blockages or imbalances in Qi flow within these meridians can lead to pain or illness. Acupuncture aims to restore the proper flow of Qi within these channels.

Is TCM and Acupuncture suitable for children or the elderly?

Yes, both children and seniors can benefit from TCM and Acupuncture when treated by a qualified Registered Acupuncturist. For children, gentle techniques such as acupressure, non-needle methods like Shonishin, or very fine, quick needle insertions are used. Herbal dosages are adjusted for age. Elderly patients often have treatments tailored to manage chronic conditions, improve mobility, and support vitality, always ensuring safety and comfort.

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

Typically, services provided by a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner in a private clinic are not covered by OHIP. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket. However, many private or extended health insurance plans offer coverage for treatments from registered practitioners. Patients are encouraged to review their policy details for specific coverage levels.

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. Most people experience a dull ache, warmth, tingling, or a feeling of heaviness, which indicates Qi is being affected. The needles are very safe when used by a trained practitioner, who always employs sterile, disposable needles. Communicate with your practitioner if you experience discomfort during treatment.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture involves inserting fine, sterile needles into specific points called acupoints to stimulate and balance the flow of Qi along meridians. This can help reduce pain, alleviate stress, improve sleep, support organ functions, and promote overall well-being by encouraging the body's natural healing response.

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

TCM is a comprehensive medical system including acupuncture, herbal medicine, Tui Na massage, cupping, moxibustion, and dietary advice. A Registered Acupuncturist uses these modalities to identify and treat the root causes of health imbalances, aiming to restore harmony within the body’s Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang, thereby supporting long-term health and wellness.

Julie Walsh
20-100 Coxwell Avenue
Toronto, ON, M4L 0B5

Phone: (416) 816-4576

Julie Walsh 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=c0b1283f-bd76-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.