Matthew Qingzhu Liu

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

Other Common

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) & Adrenal Fatigue Support (TCM): Natural and comprehensive solutions for combating persistent, debilitating tiredness, improving energy production, and enhancing overall resilience and quality of life.
• Bell's Palsy & Facial Paralysis Recovery: Early and consistent TCM intervention to maximize functional recovery and minimize residual facial weakness or asymmetry.

Respiratory Allergy Immune

• 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.
• Weak Immune System & Recurrent Infections: A proactive and preventative TCM approach to enhance your body's natural defense mechanisms, reduce susceptibility to illness, and promote robust, long-term immunity.
• Common Cold, Flu & Viral Infections (Prevention & Accelerated Recovery): Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies, including preventative acupuncture and immune-boosting herbs, to help strengthen the body's resistance to colds and flu. For active infections, TCM aims to accelerate recovery by expelling pathogens (Wind, Cold, Heat, Damp), relieving symptoms like fever, chills, sore throat, cough, body aches, and fatigue.

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. Matthew can assess your needs.

• Comprehensive TCM Health Assessment & Pattern Diagnosis: Thorough first visit to understand your unique energetic constitution (Qi, Blood, Yin, Yang, Five Elements) and identify patterns of imbalance according to Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, leading to a precise TCM diagnosis.
• Motor Point Acupuncture / Dry Needling (TCM Context): Acupuncture techniques focused on deactivating muscle knots and relieving musculoskeletal pain by stimulating specific reactive points in muscles and fascia.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• TCM Observation & Palpation Diagnosis: Utilizing traditional TCM observational skills (Wang) and palpation (Qie - beyond just pulse) to gather diagnostic clues about your underlying pattern of imbalance.

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

• Struggling with knee, hip, or other joint pain making movement difficult? Matthew develops individualized TCM treatment plans aimed at achieving achieving more regular, comfortable, and predictable bowel movements, key to helping you get back to doing participating in activities like yoga or meditation with greater ease, comfort, and deeper relaxation with improved well-being and energy.
• Restoring harmony is key in TCM. For stiff and sore neck or shoulders from stress or computer work, Matthew crafts treatments to achieve noticeable improvement in digestive comfort, with significantly less bloating, gas, or abdominal pain, supporting a return to activities like participating in community events and social gatherings more actively with comfort and confidence.
• Patients struggling with feeling stressed out, anxious, overwhelmed, or panicky most of the time can find dedicated support from Matthew. The therapeutic focus is on achieving feeling significantly calmer, less anxious, and more emotionally balanced and resilient, using a range of TCM modalities to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as running their usual 5k route without knee or back pain.
• Many find that TCM with Matthew not only helps with frequent headaches or intense migraines disrupting my life but also brings about better regulation of body temperature, feeling less prone to being overly cold or hot, allowing for a more fulfilling engagement in engaging in detailed crafting, sewing, or knitting hobbies for hours with clear focus.

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

Matthew practices at Health Life Therapy, situated in a dedicated acupuncture and TCM clinic in the central Nepean neighborhood of Nepean. The clinic is conveniently located near local community centers and public parks, making it easy to access for residents and visitors alike. It is well-connected by local public transit routes, ensuring ease of arrival for clients from various parts of the city. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Metered and paid parking lots are usually found in the vicinity.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system that has been used for thousands of years to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness. It includes therapies such as acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tui Na (therapeutic massage), cupping, moxibustion, and dietary/lifestyle advice. A Registered Acupuncturist (e.g., Registered TCM Practitioner or Acupuncturist using TCM principles) uses these tools to address the root cause of health issues by identifying and correcting imbalances in the body's Qi (vital energy), Blood, Yin, and Yang. It can help with a wide array of conditions, aiming to restore harmony and promote long-term health.

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 for these services. However, many private or extended health insurance plans offer partial or full coverage for services provided by registered practitioners. Patients are encouraged to check their individual insurance policies for specific coverage details.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

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

Approximately how many Acupuncture/TCM sessions will I need and how often?

The number and frequency of sessions depend on your condition's nature, severity, duration, and your individual response. Acute issues may require fewer sessions (1-3 per week for 1-2 weeks), while chronic conditions often need a longer course (6-12 weekly or bi-weekly sessions). Your practitioner will develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs and adjust it as you progress.

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

Patients in Ontario can typically consult a Registered Acupuncturist directly without a referral. However, some private insurance plans may require a physician's referral for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check your insurance policy for specific requirements.

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. Most find acupuncture to be relaxing. Registered practitioners prioritize safety by using only sterile, disposable needles. Always communicate with your practitioner if you experience discomfort during treatment.

Health Life Therapy
25 Greatwood Cres
Nepean, ON, K2G 6T7

Phone: (613) 823-4631

Matthew Qingzhu 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=c61aa09d-d05d-e711-810a-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.