About
Qian Liu is a dedicated Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac). Practicing at iBalance Physiotheraphy, Sports & Wellness Center in Nepean, 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.
Adrienne's role involves offering skilled acupuncture treatments for a wide variety of common health concerns, including pain management (such as musculoskeletal pain and headaches), stress reduction, sleep issues, and overall wellness support. Her care approach focuses on utilizing acupuncture to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and to restore energetic balance in accordance with TCM principles. She serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, ensuring gentle and effective care tailored to individual needs.
Qian Liu completed her R. Ac (Graduating Class of 2022). With over 2 years of dedicated practice since 2022, she is committed to ongoing professional learning and upholding the highest standards of TCM practice. She has a particular interest or further training in areas such as acupuncture. Her practice philosophy emphasizes identifying and treating the root cause of illness (Ben Qíu Bìng Gēn), rather than just alleviating symptoms, to achieve long-lasting health; she also emphasizes preventative care and patient education (Zhì Wèi Bìng - Treat a disease before it occurs) to empower individuals in maintaining their well-being. Adrienne offers consultations in English and Mandarin.
Qian Liu provides skilled Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:
Respiratory Allergy Immune
- Allergies (Seasonal/Environmental, e.g., Hay Fever, Allergic Rhinitis) & Sinusitis: Addressing underlying Lung, Spleen, and Kidney Qi deficiencies or external pathogenic factors like Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, or Dampness that contribute to allergic responses and chronic sinus inflammation.
- Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis & Cough (Supportive TCM Care): Holistic TCM care designed to improve breathing capacity, reduce reliance on inhalers (where appropriate and in consultation with an MD), clear persistent phlegm, and enhance overall respiratory health and resilience.
- Weak Immune System & Recurrent Infections: Building resilience against pathogens by fortifying the Zang-Fu organs responsible for immune function, particularly the Lungs, Spleen, and Kidneys according to TCM theory.
Digestive Gastrointestinal
- Nausea & Vomiting (e.g., Morning Sickness, Post-Chemotherapy): Harmonizing the Stomach Qi and directing its rebellious upward flow downwards to alleviate feelings of queasiness and prevent vomiting.
- Acid Reflux (GERD), Heartburn & Indigestion (Dyspepsia): Reducing symptoms of GERD and dyspepsia by harmonizing the middle jiao (digestive center) and addressing underlying imbalances without relying on long-term acid suppression.
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. Adrienne can assess your needs.
- TCM Tongue Diagnosis: In-depth analysis of various tongue characteristics to help formulate an accurate TCM pattern diagnosis and a highly individualized treatment plan.
- Moxibustion (Moxa Therapy): A warming therapy using various forms of moxa (e.g., moxa sticks, cones, moxa boxes) to promote circulation, relieve pain (especially cold-type pain like arthritis), boost immunity, and enhance the effects of acupuncture treatment.
- Gua Sha (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization - TCM): Traditional East Asian healing technique, often used for musculoskeletal pain, common cold, fever, or heatstroke, to address pain by moving stagnant Qi and Blood, clear heat, and promote tissue recovery.
- 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 Pulse Diagnosis (Sphygmology): A subtle and sophisticated TCM diagnostic technique requiring extensive training, used to understand the energetic state of your Zang-Fu organs and overall constitution.
- 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: A non-invasive TCM technique that uses manual pressure on acupoints to address various health concerns, often taught for self-care or used as part of a broader TCM treatment.
Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Adrienne, 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 iBalance Physiotheraphy, Sports & Wellness Center, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Adrienne frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:
- If feeling stressed out, anxious, overwhelmed, or panicky most of the time is affecting your ability to participate in having more regular and comfortable menstrual cycles, allowing for uninterrupted daily life and activities, Adrienne's TCM approach aims for reduced cravings and better management of withdrawal symptoms, aiding in addiction recovery (e.g., smoking cessation), helping you to regain your stride.
- Dealing with the ongoing challenges of irregular, painful, or heavy periods, or really difficult PMS symptoms? Adrienne works collaboratively with patients to reach the goal of a noticeable reduction in muscle tension, tightness, and related discomfort or stiffness. This might involve specific acupuncture protocols, cupping, or moxibustion, all aimed at helping you confidently resume returning to a specific physical hobby they had to give up due to pain.
- It's rewarding for Adrienne to witness patients find relief from circulatory problems, feeling cold often, or having cold hands and feet and experience improved mobility, flexibility, and range of motion in previously stiff or painful joints and muscles through TCM. A tailored approach can make a significant difference in your ability to participate in reaching for items on high shelves or in cupboards without shoulder strain again.
- Through personalized acupuncture and TCM with Adrienne, common concerns like looking for a holistic approach to managing a chronic health condition or autoimmune issue are assessed from a holistic perspective to achieve noticeable improvement in digestive comfort, with significantly less bloating, gas, or abdominal pain, helping people to once again enjoy feeling more physically resilient and less prone to minor ailments or weather changes.
Your personalized TCM treatment plan, developed with Adrienne, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives using a holistic and time-tested approach.
Adrienne practices at iBalance Physiotheraphy, Sports & Wellness Center, situated in the central Nepean neighborhood of Nepean. The clinic is located within a dedicated acupuncture and TCM clinic that is easily accessible and conveniently situated near local community centers and public parks. It can be reached via various public transit routes, making it straightforward for patients to attend appointments. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Metered and paid parking lots are usually found in the vicinity.
- Is TCM and Acupuncture suitable for children or the elderly?
- Absolutely. TCM offers gentle and effective options for all ages. Pediatric TCM may involve techniques like Shonishin (a non-invasive needling technique), acupressure, and dietary advice. For seniors, acupuncture and herbal medicine can be excellent for managing age-related conditions, pain, and improving quality of life. Your Registered Acupuncturist will always adapt the treatment to be appropriate and comfortable for the individual's age and health status.
- Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Registered Acupuncturist in ON?
- Patients in Ontario can typically consult a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner directly without a physician's referral, as direct access is permitted under provincial regulations. However, while a referral is not legally required, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. It is recommended to check with your insurance provider regarding their 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, so their insertion is usually painless or feels like a tiny prick, much less intense than an injection. Once inserted, you might experience sensations such as a dull ache, warmth, tingling, or a feeling of heaviness, which indicate the flow of Qi is being influenced. Most people find acupuncture to be a very relaxing experience. Registered practitioners always use sterile, disposable needles to ensure safety. If you experience any discomfort during treatment, communicate with your practitioner immediately.
- What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?
- Acupuncture involves inserting thin, sterile needles at specific points on the body to help restore the balance of Qi and promote natural healing. It can be effective for managing pain, reducing stress, improving sleep, supporting digestion, and addressing various other health concerns by activating the body's self-healing mechanisms.
- What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?
- In TCM, Qi (pronounced 'chee') is the vital energy that flows through the body via channels called meridians. These pathways connect the internal organs with the body's exterior, facilitating the circulation of Qi and Blood. Acupuncture points along these meridians are accessed to restore balance and promote health.
- What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how can a Registered Acupuncturist help?
- TCM is a comprehensive medical system that includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage (Tui Na), cupping, moxibustion, and dietary/lifestyle advice. A Registered Acupuncturist uses these modalities to identify and treat the root causes of health imbalances, helping to restore harmony within the body and improve overall well-being.
- Are Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine services covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?
- Services provided by a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner in private clinics are generally not covered by Ontario's OHIP. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket, though many private or extended health insurance plans may offer some reimbursement. It is advisable to check your individual insurance policy for specific coverage details.
iBalance Physiotheraphy, Sports & Wellness Center
1581 Greenbank Rd., Suite 115
Nepean, ON, K2J 4Y6
Phone: (343) 550-9832
Qian 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=1ce7b258-d78e-ec11-8116-005056a97495
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.
