Robert Yu-Sheng Tan – Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Acupuncturist | Newmarket, ON

Robert Yu-Sheng Tan is a dedicated Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCMP) (Acupuncture Services). Practicing at Newmarket Acupuncture in Newmarket, ON, he 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.

Robert's role centers on delivering 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. His care approach emphasizes using acupuncture to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and restore energetic balance in accordance with TCM principles. He serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, ensuring comprehensive care for diverse needs.

Having completed his R. TCMP, R. Ac (Graduating Class of 2014), Robert has accumulated over 10 years of dedicated practice since 2014. He is deeply committed to ongoing professional development and maintaining the highest standards of TCM practice. He has a particular interest and further training in areas such as TCM dietary therapy, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine. His practice philosophy revolves around personalized treatment based on precise TCM pattern differentiation, focusing on addressing root causes rather than just symptoms. Robert believes in utilizing time-tested therapies like acupuncture and herbal medicine to support the body's innate healing capacity and restore natural harmony (Yin-Yang). He offers consultations in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

Robert Yu-Sheng Tan provides skilled Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Dermatological Skin

• Psoriasis (Supportive TCM Care): Working to reduce inflammation and modulate the immune response from a TCM perspective to improve skin lesions and overall comfort.
• Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) & Dermatitis: Holistic care for eczema, focusing on reducing flare-ups and improving skin barrier function from a TCM perspective.
• Acne (Vulgaris, Cystic, Hormonal): Acupuncture and customized herbal formulas to treat acne by clearing pathogenic Heat and Damp-Heat from the Lungs and Stomach, reducing inflammation, balancing hormones, and promoting healthy skin detoxification pathways.

Mental Emotional Sleep

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support (TCM): Acupuncture and TCM therapies to help regulate the nervous system, calm an overactive stress response, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and process emotional trauma in individuals experiencing PTSD symptoms. (As an adjunctive therapy).
• Depression, Low Mood & Mood Swings (Supportive TCM Care): Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies, including acupuncture and herbal medicine, as a supportive and complementary approach to manage symptoms of mild to moderate depression, persistent low mood, and emotional lability by regulating neurotransmitter balance indirectly, moving stagnant Qi, and nourishing deficient substances like Blood or Yin.
• 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.
• Insomnia & Various Sleep Disorders (e.g., Difficulty Falling/Staying Asleep, Dream-Disturbed Sleep): Acupuncture, herbal formulas, and lifestyle advice to address different types of sleep disturbances by harmonizing Yin and Yang, calming the mind, anchoring the Shen, and resolving underlying TCM patterns such as Heart Fire, Liver Qi Stagnation disturbing the Hun, Spleen Qi Deficiency leading to overthinking, or Kidney Yin Deficiency with empty heat.

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.
• Support for Autoimmune Conditions (e.g., Hashimoto's, Lupus, MS - Adjunctive Care): TCM therapies, including acupuncture and specific herbal formulas, used as an adjunctive approach to help regulate immune system function, reduce inflammation, manage symptoms, and improve quality of life for individuals with various autoimmune conditions. (Always in conjunction with specialist medical care).

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. Robert can assess your needs.

• Scalp Acupuncture (Neuroacupuncture): Specialized scalp needling techniques drawing from both traditional TCM and modern neurology to modulate brain activity and address challenging neurological and pain-related health issues.
• 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.
• 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.
• Qigong & Tai Chi Exercise Recommendations: Incorporating principles of mindful movement and breath to enhance the therapeutic effects of TCM treatments and empower self-healing.
• 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.
• Acupuncture Treatment (Body Acupuncture): Customized acupuncture sessions designed to address your specific symptoms and underlying TCM pattern diagnosis, encouraging the body's powerful self-healing mechanisms and promoting overall well-being.
• Motor Point Acupuncture / Dry Needling (TCM Context): Targeting specific motor points (areas where nerves enter muscles) or Ashi (tender) points with acupuncture needles to release muscle trigger points, alleviate myofascial pain, restore muscle function, and improve range of motion. (May be described as dry needling when performed by an acupuncturist within a TCM framework).

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Robert, 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 ON and the standards set by The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario.

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

• The path to overcoming brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or poor memory and achieving gaining a deeper understanding of their body's unique energetic patterns and needs according to TCM principles is often clearer with TCM. Robert guides patients toward reclaiming activities such as sleeping soundly through the night and waking refreshed and energetic with improved health.
• Robert frequently assists patients in overcoming frequent headaches or intense migraines disrupting my life using TCM principles. A carefully designed treatment plan, targeting enhanced fertility potential, optimized reproductive health, and better support during pregnancy and postpartum, supports your enthusiastic engagement in desired activities like feeling more physically resilient and less prone to minor ailments or weather changes.
• Many patients have found lasting relief from wanting to improve my overall energy, focus, and vitality naturally and achieved experiencing markedly fewer and less severe menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes under the care of Robert, allowing them to re-engage with activities such as participating in hobbies and social events without pain, anxiety, or fatigue holding them back with renewed vitality and ease.
• The journey to accelerated recovery from sports injuries or repetitive strains, and a quicker, safer return to activity when faced with circulatory problems, feeling cold often, or having cold hands and feet can be supported by Robert's expertise in acupuncture and TCM, often leading to a more comfortable and active return to pastimes like getting back to golfing 18 holes without their back acting up.

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

Robert practices at Newmarket Acupuncture, situated in the Summerhill Estates within the Armitage neighborhood of Newmarket. The clinic is conveniently located near Mulock Park (Future) and is easily accessible via York Region Transit (YRT) / Viva. Our clinic offers a tranquil environment for healing, with metered and paid parking lots typically available in the vicinity. The location is designed to provide patients with a comfortable space to focus on their health journey.

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), who has extensive training in herbal pharmacology, 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 for patients to inform their practitioner about all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and existing health conditions. Patients are strongly advised against self-prescribing Chinese herbs or purchasing them from unreliable sources due to risks of incorrect diagnosis, improper formulation, contamination, or adverse interactions. R.TCMPs typically source herbs from trusted suppliers that 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 is a holistic system rooted in ancient principles that considers the balance of Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang within the body. A Registered TCM Practitioner assesses your overall health using methods such as tongue and pulse diagnosis, and develops personalized treatment plans involving acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, and lifestyle recommendations to restore harmony and promote healing.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

In TCM, Qi (pronounced 'chee') is the vital energy or life force that flows through the body via specific pathways called meridians. These meridians connect internal organs with external body parts, facilitating the circulation of Qi and Blood. Acupuncture points along these meridians are targeted to influence Qi flow, restore balance, and support health.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Acupuncture needles are extremely thin, sterile, and single-use, often much finer than a human hair. Their insertion is usually painless or feels like a tiny prick. Many patients experience sensations such as dull ache, warmth, tingling, or heaviness, indicating Qi movement. Most find the experience relaxing and calming. Safety is a priority; practitioners only use sterile, disposable needles and ensure proper technique. Always communicate with your practitioner if any discomfort occurs during treatment.

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

In Ontario, patients can generally consult a Registered TCM Practitioner directly without a physician's referral (known as direct access). However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. Patients should verify their individual insurance policies to understand coverage requirements.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture involves inserting very fine needles at specific points on the body to influence the flow of Qi, aiming to restore balance and promote healing. It can help manage various conditions such as pain, stress, digestive issues, menstrual discomfort, and more by activating the body's self-healing mechanisms.

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

Services provided by licensed practitioners like Registered Acupuncturists or R.TCMPs in private clinics are generally not covered by OHIP. Most patients pay out-of-pocket. It is advisable to check individual private/extended health insurance plans, as many do offer some coverage for these services, though levels of reimbursement vary.

Newmarket Acupuncture
724 Foxcroft Blvd.
Newmarket, ON, L3X 1N2

Phone: (416) 800-8541

Robert Yu-Sheng Tan 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=aab2283f-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.