Tara Jean Akuna

Located at Spring Forward Health in the University District of Waterloo, Tara’s practice is situated near the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. The clinic is conveniently close to the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and easily accessible via Grand River Transit, including bus routes and the ION Light Rail. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

• Gua Sha (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization - TCM): Instrument-assisted unidirectional press-stroking of the skin to break up stagnation, improve local circulation, alleviate pain, stiffness, and fever, and promote lymphatic drainage.
• 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.
• Cupping Therapy (Fire Cupping, Sliding Cupping, Stationary Cupping): Utilizing cupping techniques to alleviate musculoskeletal pain (back, shoulder, neck), clear stagnation, support detoxification, and relieve symptoms of common colds or asthma.
• 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.
• 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).
• Moxibustion (Moxa Therapy): Gentle and penetrating heat therapy with mugwort to strengthen the body's vital energy, improve circulation, turn breech babies (when applied to a specific point), and relieve chronic pain or fatigue.
• 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 Tara, 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 Spring Forward Health, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Tara frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Struggling with my child having frequent illnesses, digestive issues, or skin problems? Tara develops individualized TCM treatment plans aimed at achieving a substantial increase in overall energy levels, vitality, and stamina throughout the day, key to helping you get back to doing playing with children or grandchildren more comfortably and with sustained energy with improved well-being and energy.
• By addressing the root energetic imbalances related to general muscle tension, stiffness, and aches throughout my body, Tara helps patients work towards gaining a deeper understanding of their body's unique energetic patterns and needs according to TCM principles, facilitating a return to cherished activities like traveling more comfortably without being plagued by motion sickness, digestive upset, or travel-related anxiety.
• Many find that TCM with Tara not only helps with symptoms of Bell's Palsy or facial paralysis needing support for recovery but also brings about a noticeable reduction in muscle tension, tightness, and related discomfort or stiffness, allowing for a more fulfilling engagement in reaching for items on high shelves or in cupboards without shoulder strain.
• If looking for a holistic approach to managing a chronic health condition or autoimmune issue is affecting your ability to participate in engaging in detailed crafting, sewing, or knitting hobbies for hours with clear focus, Tara's TCM approach aims for improved circulation, often described as a feeling of warmth or better flow in extremities, helping you to regain your stride.

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

Located at Spring Forward Health in the University District of Waterloo, Tara’s practice is situated near the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. The clinic is conveniently close to the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and easily accessible via Grand River Transit, including bus routes and the ION Light Rail. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves the insertion of very fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body called acupoints. According to TCM theory, this helps to stimulate and balance the flow of Qi (vital energy) along pathways known as meridians. Acupuncture can help by reducing pain, alleviating stress and anxiety, improving sleep, regulating bodily functions (like digestion and hormones), boosting the immune system, and promoting overall well-being by encouraging the body's natural healing abilities.

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

In Ontario, patients can typically see a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner directly without a physician’s referral (known as direct access). However, it is advisable to check with your private or extended health insurance provider, as some plans may require a referral for reimbursement. While a referral is not legally mandatory, verifying your insurance policy helps ensure coverage.

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

No, acupuncture and TCM 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 plans do offer some coverage. It is recommended to review your individual insurance policy for specific details.

What are Cupping, Moxibustion, Gua Sha, and Tui Na?

These are all adjunctive therapies often used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Cupping involves placing cups on the skin to create suction, which can help relieve muscle tension, improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and draw out toxins. Moxibustion involves the therapeutic burning of mugwort near or on acupuncture points to warm and invigorate Qi and Blood, often used for pain or cold conditions. Gua Sha involves gently scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool to improve circulation and reduce pain or inflammation. Tui Na is a Chinese therapeutic massage using various hand techniques to relieve pain and harmonize Qi. Your practitioner will determine if these therapies are suitable for your condition.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic system based on ancient principles. A Registered Acupuncturist assesses your health through tongue and pulse diagnosis, identifying patterns of imbalance. Treatment may include acupuncture, herbal formulas, cupping, moxibustion, and lifestyle advice to restore balance and promote healing.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Acupuncture needles are extremely fine, sterile, and single-use, often thinner than a human hair. Insertion is typically painless or feels like a tiny prick. You might experience sensations like dull ache, warmth, tingling, or heaviness, which are signs of Qi stimulation. Most find it very relaxing. Practitioners only use sterile, disposable needles to ensure safety. Always inform your practitioner if you experience discomfort during treatment.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

In TCM, Qi is the vital energy or life force that flows through the body via pathways called meridians. These channels connect internal organs with the body's exterior, such as muscles and skin. Acupuncture points along these meridians are accessed to influence Qi flow, restore balance, and promote health.

Spring Forward Health
177 Park St.
Waterloo, ON, N2L 1Y7

Phone: (519) 954-0177

Tara Jean Akuna 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=c640704b-672f-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.