Mary Elizabeth Templeton – Acupuncturist | Guelph, ON

Mary Elizabeth Templeton is a dedicated Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac). Practicing at Mary Elizabeth Templeton in Guelph, 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.

Mary's role involves offering 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 focused 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, ensuring personalized treatment plans tailored to individual needs.

Mary Elizabeth Templeton completed her R. Ac (Graduating Class of 2014). With over 10 years of dedicated practice since 2014, 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 acupuncture, ensuring her approach remains current and effective.

Her practice philosophy emphasizes preventative care and patient education (Zhì Wèi Bìng - Treat a disease before it occurs) to empower individuals in maintaining their well-being. She focuses on identifying and treating the root cause of illness (Ben Qíu Bìng Gēn), rather than just alleviating symptoms, to achieve long-lasting health. She offers consultations in English, ensuring clear communication and understanding with her patients.

Mary practices at 'Mary Elizabeth Templeton', situated in the Downtown Guelph, Exhibition Park neighborhood of Guelph. The clinic is conveniently located near the University of Guelph and is accessible via Guelph Transit. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Convenient parking options are typically accessible.

• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• Scalp Acupuncture (Neuroacupuncture): Targeted stimulation of scalp acupoints to influence the central nervous system, improve motor function, alleviate paralysis or paresis, and treat complex pain syndromes.
• Acupuncture Treatment (Body Acupuncture): Insertion of fine, sterile, single-use needles into specific acupoints on the body's meridians (energy pathways) to stimulate Qi (vital energy) flow, alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, regulate organ function, and promote natural healing.
• 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.

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

• Many individuals seek the expertise of Mary, their Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, when uncomfortable menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, or mood changes impacts their daily life. Through personalized TCM treatments, they often achieve feeling significantly calmer, less anxious, and more emotionally balanced and resilient, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like doing household chores like vacuuming, mopping, or laundry without pain.
• Many patients have found lasting relief from a general feeling of being 'off' or 'out of balance' energetically and achieved reduced cravings and better management of withdrawal symptoms, aiding in addiction recovery (e.g., smoking cessation) under the care of Mary, allowing them to re-engage with activities such as handling their job that involves frequent standing, walking, or bending with better ease with renewed vitality and ease.
• Mary believes in a partnership with patients. When that nagging back pain that just won't go away arises, a collaborative TCM plan targets a stronger, more robust, and resilient immune system, leading to fewer colds, flu, or other infections, enabling a more active lifestyle including experiencing clearer sinuses and easier breathing during daily activities and exercise.
• Struggling with digestive issues like bloating, gas, cramps, constipation, or diarrhea (IBS-like symptoms)? Mary develops individualized TCM treatment plans aimed at achieving more regular, comfortable, and predictable bowel movements, key to helping you get back to doing attending concerts or theatre shows and sitting comfortably throughout with improved well-being and energy.

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

Mary practices at 'Mary Elizabeth Templeton', situated in the Downtown Guelph, Exhibition Park neighborhood of Guelph. The clinic is conveniently located near the University of Guelph and is accessible via Guelph Transit. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Convenient parking options are typically accessible.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Acupuncture needles are extremely fine, sterile, and single-use, often not much thicker than a human hair, so their insertion is usually painless or feels like a tiny prick, much less intense than an injection. Once the needles are in place, you might feel a unique sensation such as a dull ache, warmth, tingling, a slight feeling of pressure or heaviness, or even a sensation of energy moving; these are generally considered positive signs that the Qi is being influenced and the treatment is taking effect. Most people find acupuncture to be a very relaxing and calming experience. Safety is paramount; registered practitioners use only sterile, disposable needles. Always communicate with your Registered Acupuncturist if you experience any significant 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 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.

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. It is advisable to check your private or extended health insurance plans, as many do offer coverage for services provided by registered practitioners, but coverage levels and requirements vary.

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.

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.

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.

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

Patients in Ontario can typically see a Registered Acupuncturist (e.g., Registered Acupuncturist, Registered TCM Practitioner) directly without a physician's referral (direct access). However, while a referral is not legally required, some private/extended health insurance plans *do* require a referral for reimbursement. It is advisable to check your individual insurance policy requirements.

Mary Elizabeth Templeton
1 Southampton St
Guelph, ON, N1H 5N3

Phone: (519) 826-7762

Mary Elizabeth Templeton 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=037f3410-c676-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.