Monika Bhargava – Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Acupuncturist | Burnaby, BC

Monika Bhargava is a dedicated Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) (Acupuncture Services). Practicing at Oak Integrative Health in Burnaby, BC, Monika is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, adhering to the standards set by The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.

Monika'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. 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, with a compassionate and holistic approach.

Monika completed her RAC and, with extensive clinical training and experience, remains committed to ongoing professional development, ensuring her practice aligns with the highest standards of TCM. Her interests include TCM dietary therapy, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine, all aimed at fostering long-term health and vitality. Her practice philosophy embraces a holistic view, seeing the body as an interconnected system where physical, mental, and emotional aspects are inseparable, utilizing time-tested therapies like acupuncture and herbal medicine to support the body's innate healing capacity. Monika offers consultations in English, emphasizing clear communication and personalized care.

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

Womens Health Gynecological

• Fertility Enhancement & Infertility Support (For All Genders): Holistic and personalized support to enhance the chances of conception, support a healthy implantation and pregnancy, and address factors contributing to subfertility.
• Fibroids & Ovarian Cysts (Supportive TCM Management): Holistic support to help reduce discomfort and potentially manage the size or recurrence of fibroids and cysts.
• Menstrual Irregularities (Amenorrhea, Oligomenorrhea, Metrorrhagia) & PMS/PMDD: Addressing underlying TCM patterns such as Liver Qi Stagnation, Blood Stasis or Deficiency, Kidney Essence Deficiency, or Damp-Phlegm obstruction that contribute to menstrual and emotional cycle problems.

Mental Emotional Sleep

• Addiction Support (e.g., Smoking Cessation, Substance Cravings - NADA Protocol): Auricular (ear) and body acupuncture protocols, such as the NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) protocol, to help reduce cravings, manage withdrawal symptoms (anxiety, irritability, insomnia), and calm the nervous system during smoking cessation or recovery from other substance dependencies.
• Depression, Low Mood & Mood Swings (Supportive TCM Care): Addressing emotional stagnation (especially Liver Qi Stagnation), clearing internal 'Heat' or 'Dampness' that can cloud the mind, and improving overall mental clarity and outlook with acupuncture and herbal support.

Other Common

• Bell's Palsy & Facial Paralysis Recovery: Acupuncture (often including electroacupuncture) and herbal medicine to help stimulate nerve regeneration, improve muscle tone, and accelerate recovery from Bell's Palsy or other forms of facial paralysis by expelling Wind, invigorating Qi and Blood flow to the facial meridians.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) & Adrenal Fatigue Support (TCM): Restoring vitality and improving overall stamina by addressing underlying deficiencies and energetic blockages from a TCM perspective, often focusing on adrenal and mitochondrial support through TCM principles.

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. Monika can assess your needs.

• 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.
• TCM Tongue Diagnosis: In-depth analysis of various tongue characteristics to help formulate an accurate TCM pattern diagnosis and a highly individualized treatment plan.
• TCM Lifestyle & Wellness Coaching (Yang Sheng): Practical strategies for living in harmony with nature, managing daily stressors effectively, conserving vital energy (Qi), and cultivating healthy habits from a TCM perspective to support overall resilience and a vibrant life.
• TCM Pulse Diagnosis (Sphygmology): Skilled palpation of the radial artery pulse at three positions and three depths on each wrist to assess the quality, strength, rhythm, and rate, reflecting the health and balance of Qi and Blood in the twelve major organ systems.
• Qigong & Tai Chi Exercise Recommendations: Incorporating principles of mindful movement and breath to enhance the therapeutic effects of TCM treatments and empower self-healing.
• Comprehensive TCM Health Assessment & Pattern Diagnosis: A detailed initial consultation involving an in-depth discussion of your health history, symptoms, lifestyle, emotional state, and a traditional TCM diagnostic assessment (palpation, observation, listening/smelling, pulse, and tongue diagnosis) to identify your unique TCM pattern of disharmony.
• TCM Dietary Therapy & Nutritional Counseling (Shi Liao): Personalized dietary advice based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles (Shi Liao), considering the energetic properties of foods (e.g., warming/cooling, drying/moistening, Five Flavors) and their effects on specific organ systems to support your unique constitution, address health imbalances, and promote healing.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Monika, 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 BC and the standards set by The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.

At Oak Integrative Health, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Monika frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• The journey to reduced cravings and better management of withdrawal symptoms, aiding in addiction recovery (e.g., smoking cessation) when faced with feeling down, having persistent low mood, or experiencing unpredictable mood swings can be supported by Monika's expertise in acupuncture and TCM, often leading to a more comfortable and active return to pastimes like participating in light recreational activities like bowling or mini-golf.
• Many individuals seek the expertise of Monika, their Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, when digestive issues like bloating, gas, cramps, constipation, or diarrhea (IBS-like symptoms) impacts their daily life. Through personalized TCM treatments, they often achieve experiencing more regular, balanced, and manageable menstrual cycles with substantially reduced PMS or PMDD symptoms, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like enjoying meals without digestive discomfort, bloating, or subsequent fatigue.
• Struggling with frequent colds, feeling like my immune system is weak, or taking a long time to recover from illness? Monika develops individualized TCM treatment plans aimed at achieving a profound sense of relaxation, calm, and overall well-being following treatments, key to helping you get back to doing returning to a specific physical hobby they had to give up due to pain with improved well-being and energy.
• With Monika, an Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, individuals with frequent headaches or intense migraines disrupting my life are guided towards a stronger, more resilient immune system, leading to fewer colds, flu, or other infections, focusing on restoring the body's natural balance to enjoy keeping up with their team during our weekly soccer match without pain limiting them again with greater zest.

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

Monika practices at Oak Integrative Health, situated in the Coquitlam West / Burnaby East (Lougheed Town Centre area) neighborhood of Burnaby. The clinic is conveniently located near BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology) and is easily accessible via TransLink, including SkyTrain (Expo and Millennium Lines) and bus routes. The location offers a peaceful environment conducive to healing, and street parking is often available nearby, making it easy for patients to access care comfortably.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

For most people, acupuncture is not painful. The needles used are very thin, and many individuals feel little to no sensation upon insertion. Some common sensations include a slight initial pinch, followed by a dull ache, warmth, tingling, or a feeling of fullness around the needle site, which usually indicates the treatment is working effectively to stimulate your body's Qi. Many patients report feeling very relaxed and even fall asleep during the session. Practitioners are highly trained in safe needling techniques and exclusively use sterile, single-use needles to ensure your safety and prevent infection. If you ever feel any notable pain, inform your Registered TCM Practitioner immediately.

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 TCM Practitioner, 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.

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

When prescribed by a qualified and Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) or Doctor of TCM (Dr.TCM), Chinese herbal formulas are generally safe and effective. R.TCMPs are trained to identify herb quality, potential herb-drug interactions, and contraindications for specific health conditions or during pregnancy. It is important to inform your practitioner about all medications you are taking, including prescriptions and over-the-counter products. Avoid self-prescribing herbs or purchasing from unreliable sources, as incorrect formulations or contaminated herbs can pose health risks. Monika sources herbs from trusted suppliers who perform quality testing to ensure safety and efficacy.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a comprehensive medical system used for thousands of years to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness. It includes modalities such as acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tui Na massage, cupping, moxibustion, and dietary advice. A Registered TCM Practitioner uses these techniques to identify and correct imbalances in the body's Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang, addressing the root causes of health issues to promote harmony and long-term wellness.

Do I need a doctor’s referral to see a Registered TCM Practitioner in BC?

Patients in BC can generally see a Registered TCM Practitioner directly without a referral. However, some private and extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check with your insurance provider to confirm their specific requirements.

Are Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine services covered by Medical Services Plan (MSP) in BC?

In BC, acupuncture and TCM services provided by a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) or Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) in private clinics are typically not covered by MSP. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket, but many private insurance plans offer coverage for these services. It is recommended to review your insurance policy to understand your coverage options and levels.

Oak Integrative Health
9600 Cameron St #245
Burnaby, BC, V3J 7N3

Phone: (604) 227-9990

Monika Bhargava is regulated by the Health Professions Act (British Columbia) in BC and is a registered member of The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.

Registration can typically be verified with The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.

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.