Mary Frances Fitzgerald

Mary practices at Union Wellness Centre, situated in the Waterloo East (Glenridge, Lincoln Heights) neighborhood of Waterloo. The clinic is conveniently located near Columbia Lake and is accessible via Grand River Transit (GRT), including bus routes and the ION Light Rail. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

• 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).
• 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.
• Gua Sha (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization - TCM): Instrument-assisted unidirectional press-stroking of the skin to break up stagnation, improve local circulation, alleviate pain, stiffness, and fever, and promote lymphatic drainage.
• 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.
• Acupressure & Meridian Therapy: Targeting key energy points on the body with precise pressure to alleviate symptoms, support organ function, and enhance overall well-being.
• 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.
• 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.

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 Union Wellness Centre, 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:

• Experiencing skin problems like eczema, persistent acne, psoriasis, or unexplained hives can be draining. Mary utilizes acupuncture and other TCM methods to aim for a more positive outlook and improved mood stability, so patients can re-engage with resuming their weightlifting routine at the gym safely feeling revitalized.
• Restoring harmony is key in TCM. For managing side effects from chemotherapy or radiation treatments more comfortably, Mary crafts treatments to achieve feeling empowered with practical self-care techniques, such as acupressure, moxibustion for home use, or specific TCM dietary advice, supporting a return to activities like maintaining their balance and stability while walking on uneven ground or trails with comfort and confidence.
• Mary frequently assists patients in overcoming TMJ, jaw pain, or teeth grinding that causes discomfort and headaches using TCM principles. A carefully designed treatment plan, targeting a profound sense of relaxation, calm, and overall well-being following treatments, supports your enthusiastic engagement in desired activities like engaging in detailed crafting, sewing, or knitting hobbies for hours with clear focus.
• Mary 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 improved mental focus, concentration, and cognitive clarity as overall health and energy improve, enabling a more active lifestyle including experiencing clearer sinuses and easier breathing during daily activities and exercise.

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 Union Wellness Centre, situated in the Waterloo East (Glenridge, Lincoln Heights) neighborhood of Waterloo. The clinic is conveniently located near Columbia Lake and is accessible via Grand River Transit (GRT), including bus routes and the ION Light Rail. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

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 form of Chinese therapeutic massage that uses various hand techniques on acupressure points and meridians to relieve pain and harmonize Qi. Your Registered Acupuncturist will determine if any of these are appropriate and beneficial for your specific condition.

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 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 (Registered Acupuncturist, Registered TCM Practitioner) directly without a physician's referral (direct access). However, while a referral is not legally required, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement. Patients are advised to check their individual insurance policies for specific requirements.

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

Your initial appointment usually involves a comprehensive intake lasting between 60 to 90 minutes. Mary will discuss your health concerns, review your medical history, and inquire about lifestyle, diet, sleep, and emotional well-being. She will perform diagnostic assessments, including tongue and pulse diagnosis, to identify your specific TCM pattern. Based on this, she will develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include acupuncture, herbal formulas, cupping, moxibustion, or lifestyle advice. An initial treatment may be administered during this visit to start addressing your concerns.

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

Generally, acupuncture and TCM services provided by a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) or Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) in a private clinic are not covered by Ontario's OHIP. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket, although many private and extended health insurance plans offer some coverage for these services. It is recommended to verify with your insurer regarding specific coverage levels.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

For most individuals, acupuncture is not painful. The needles are very thin, and many people feel little to no sensation during insertion. Some may feel a slight pinch or a dull ache, warmth, tingling, or a feeling of fullness, which indicates effective stimulation of Qi. Many patients report feeling very relaxed and may even fall asleep. Practitioners are trained in safe needling techniques, using sterile, single-use needles to prevent infection. If you experience any discomfort, notify your practitioner immediately.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic health system based on ancient principles that focus on restoring balance and harmony within the body. A Registered Acupuncturist assesses your overall health, identifies patterns of imbalance through tongue and pulse diagnosis, and employs treatments such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, and dietary/lifestyle recommendations to support your body's natural healing processes.

Union Wellness Centre
100 Regina Street South
Waterloo, ON, N2J 4P9

Phone: (519) 725-2275

Mary Frances Fitzgerald 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=58b0283f-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.