Takamasa Tsurusaki – Acupuncturist | North York, ON

Takamasa Tsurusaki is a dedicated Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac). Practicing at ACUPUNCTURE OF TSURUSAKI in North York, 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.

As a skilled practitioner, Takamasa focuses on delivering effective acupuncture treatments for a wide range of common health concerns, including pain management such as musculoskeletal pain and headaches, stress reduction, sleep issues, and overall wellness support. His approach is rooted in stimulating the body's natural healing abilities and restoring energetic balance according to TCM principles. Takamasa welcomes patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, ensuring gentle and appropriate care for everyone.

Takamasa completed his R. Ac (Graduating Class of 2013) and has accumulated over 11 years of dedicated practice since then. He is committed to continuous professional development and upholds the highest standards of TCM practice. His further training and interests include acupuncture and integrating holistic treatment methods. Believing in a holistic approach, Takamasa views the body as an interconnected system where physical, mental, and emotional aspects are inseparable (Holism). He emphasizes identifying and treating the root cause of illness (Ben Qíu Bìng Gēn), rather than just alleviating symptoms, to help patients achieve long-lasting health. He offers consultations in English and Japanese.

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

Digestive Gastrointestinal

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Bloating, Gas & Functional Digestive Upset: Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to regulate digestive function, alleviate common IBS symptoms like abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, or constipation, by harmonizing the Spleen and Stomach, soothing Liver Qi (which often attacks the Spleen in TCM), and resolving Dampness.
• Nausea & Vomiting (e.g., Morning Sickness, Post-Chemotherapy): Acupuncture (especially point Pericardium-6) and gentle herbal remedies to effectively reduce nausea and vomiting associated with various causes, including morning sickness during pregnancy, side effects of chemotherapy or medications, or motion sickness.
• Chronic Constipation or Diarrhea (Non-infectious): Effective TCM approaches for achieving long-term resolution of chronic and bothersome bowel irregularities and improving gut motility.
• Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis (IBD) - Supportive TCM Care: Holistic and integrative TCM care to help modulate the immune response, alleviate abdominal pain and diarrhea, and support overall digestive health in individuals with Crohn's or colitis.

Mental Emotional Sleep

• Insomnia & Various Sleep Disorders (e.g., Difficulty Falling/Staying Asleep, Dream-Disturbed Sleep): Restoring healthy, restorative sleep patterns and improving overall sleep quality naturally through TCM interventions, without the side effects of sleep medications.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support (TCM): Addressing TCM patterns often associated with trauma, such as Heart Shen disturbance, Liver Qi Stagnation, or Kidney Jing depletion.
• Stress, Anxiety, Panic Attacks & Emotional Imbalances: Supporting emotional well-being by addressing underlying imbalances in organ systems (e.g., Liver Qi Stagnation leading to irritability, Heart Blood Deficiency causing anxiety) that contribute to mood disturbances, worry, or fear.

Pain Musculoskeletal

• Headaches & Migraines (Tension, Cluster, Hormonal - TCM Management): Acupuncture and TCM diagnostic protocols to differentiate and treat various types of headaches and migraines by addressing root causes such as Qi stagnation, Blood deficiency or stasis, Liver Yang Rising, Phlegm obstruction, or external pathogenic factors.
• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ/TMD) Dysfunction & Jaw Pain: Addressing related symptoms like headaches, earaches, or neck pain that often accompany TMJ dysfunction from a TCM perspective.
• Neuropathic Pain & Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g., Diabetic Neuropathy Support, Post-Herpetic Neuralgia): Addressing neuropathic pain by invigorating Qi and Blood flow along affected meridians, nourishing Yin and Blood to repair damaged nerves, and resolving blockages or stagnation.

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. Takamasa can assess your needs.

• 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.
• Acupressure & Meridian Therapy: Application of firm but gentle pressure to specific acupoints along the body's meridians using fingers, thumbs, or elbows to stimulate Qi flow, relieve pain, reduce tension, and promote relaxation and balance, similar to acupuncture but without needles.
• 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: A holistic diagnostic approach incorporating visual assessment and physical touch to complement tongue and pulse diagnosis for a complete TCM picture.
• Cupping Therapy (Fire Cupping, Sliding Cupping, Stationary Cupping): Application of glass, bamboo, or silicone cups to the skin to create suction (often via heat/fire for glass cups, or a pump for others). This technique helps to relieve muscle tension, improve blood and Qi flow, reduce local inflammation, release toxins, open pores, and treat respiratory conditions or musculoskeletal pain.
• TCM Pulse Diagnosis (Sphygmology): Assessing up to 28 distinct pulse qualities to contribute to a comprehensive TCM diagnosis, guiding the selection of appropriate acupuncture points and herbal formulas.
• TCM Tongue Diagnosis: A key TCM diagnostic method where the tongue is meticulously examined as a microsystem map reflecting your body's internal health and specific imbalances.

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

• For those whose skin problems like eczema, persistent acne, psoriasis, or unexplained hives has made participating in community events and social gatherings more actively seem difficult, Takamasa's acupuncture and TCM care offers a path toward clearer breathing, reduced sinus congestion, and improved respiratory function. These time-tested therapies can be instrumental in helping you get back to participating in community events and social gatherings more actively with greater comfort.
• Through personalized acupuncture and TCM with Takamasa, common concerns like feeling down, having persistent low mood, or experiencing unpredictable mood swings are assessed from a holistic perspective to achieve experiencing more regular, balanced, and manageable menstrual cycles with substantially reduced PMS or PMDD symptoms, helping people to once again enjoy enjoying intimacy without pain or hormonal imbalances interfering.
• If wanting to support my body's natural detoxification processes is affecting your ability to participate in participating in light recreational activities like bowling or mini-golf, Takamasa's TCM approach aims for a stronger, more resilient immune system, leading to fewer colds, flu, or other infections, helping you to regain your stride.
• Through the gentle yet powerful methods of TCM, Takamasa assists patients with brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or poor memory in reaching an enhanced overall quality of life and a greater capacity to enjoy daily activities and social engagements, fostering a return to beloved activities like sleeping soundly through the night and waking refreshed and energetic.

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

Practicing at ACUPUNCTURE OF TSURUSAKI, Takamasa's clinic is situated in the central North York neighborhood of North York. The clinic is located within a dedicated acupuncture and TCM facility, conveniently close to local community centers and public parks, making it easy for patients to access. The location is well-served by various public transit routes, ensuring straightforward reach for those using buses and subways. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Convenient parking options are typically accessible.

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

Patients in Ontario can typically see a Registered Acupuncturist (such as a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner) directly without needing a physician's referral, thanks to the province's direct access policies. However, while a referral may not be legally required, some private or extended health insurance plans do require one for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check your individual insurance policy to confirm their specific requirements.

Are Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine 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 provincial health plan (OHIP). Patients usually pay out-of-pocket for these services. It is recommended to review your private or extended health insurance plans, as many offer partial or full coverage for services from registered practitioners, but coverage levels vary significantly.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic health approach rooted in ancient principles that seeks to restore balance within the body. A Registered Acupuncturist assesses your overall health, looking for patterns of imbalance through methods like tongue and pulse diagnosis. Treatment may include acupuncture, herbal formulas (if qualified as an R.TCMP), cupping, moxibustion, and lifestyle or dietary recommendations, all aimed at promoting natural healing and long-term wellness.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

**Qi** represents the vital energy or life force that sustains the body’s functions in TCM. When Qi flows smoothly and freely through the meridians—networks of channels that connect organs and tissues—health is maintained. Blockages, deficiencies, or excesses in Qi flow can lead to illness or pain. Acupuncture and other TCM therapies aim to restore proper Qi flow within these meridians to promote health and balance.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture involves inserting very fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body called acupoints. This process stimulates the flow of Qi along the meridians, helping to reduce pain, alleviate stress, improve sleep, regulate bodily functions such as digestion and hormonal balance, and strengthen the immune system. Overall, it supports the body’s natural ability to heal itself and enhances general well-being.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Most patients find acupuncture to be a comfortable experience. The needles are very thin, and many individuals feel little to no discomfort during insertion. Some sensations like a slight pinch or warmth may occur but are generally mild and transient. Practitioners are highly trained to ensure safety, using only sterile, single-use needles. If you experience any pain or discomfort during treatment, inform your practitioner immediately for adjustments.

ACUPUNCTURE OF TSURUSAKI
165 York Mills
North York, ON, M2L 1K6

Phone: (416) 733-1330

Takamasa Tsurusaki 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=c7d7eb41-b376-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.