Tracy Anne Rowan

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

Other Common

• Support for Autoimmune Conditions (e.g., Hashimoto's, Lupus, MS - Adjunctive Care): Focusing on harmonizing Yin and Yang, clearing pathogenic factors (like Heat or Damp), nourishing deficient substances (Qi, Blood, Yin, Yang), and resolving stagnation to support overall systemic balance.
• Bell's Palsy & Facial Paralysis Recovery: Supporting nerve healing and restoring facial muscle control through targeted acupuncture and TCM therapies.
• Dizziness & Vertigo (TCM Perspective): Differentiating the cause of dizziness (e.g., Meniere's disease support, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo - BPPV support) from a TCM viewpoint and applying specific treatments to restore balance.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) & Adrenal Fatigue Support (TCM): Acupuncture, moxibustion, and tonifying herbal therapies to address the profound exhaustion and complex symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by strengthening Spleen Qi, nourishing Kidney Essence (Yin and Yang), resolving Dampness, and calming the Shen.

Digestive Gastrointestinal

• Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis (IBD) - Supportive TCM Care: Acupuncture and herbal medicine as a complementary therapy to help manage symptoms, reduce inflammation, and improve quality of life for individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. (Used alongside conventional medical management).
• Nausea & Vomiting (e.g., Morning Sickness, Post-Chemotherapy): Safe and natural relief from nausea, helping to improve comfort and ability to maintain hydration and nutrition.
• Chronic Constipation or Diarrhea (Non-infectious): Effective TCM approaches for achieving long-term resolution of chronic and bothersome bowel irregularities and improving gut motility.

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. Tracy can assess your needs.

• Motor Point Acupuncture / Dry Needling (TCM Context): Acupuncture techniques focused on deactivating muscle knots and relieving musculoskeletal pain by stimulating specific reactive points in muscles and fascia.
• 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.
• Acupuncture Treatment (Body Acupuncture): A therapeutic technique involving strategic needling of acupoints to restore balance between Yin and Yang, treating a wide range of health conditions from musculoskeletal pain to internal medicine disorders.
• Electroacupuncture: Utilizing precisely controlled electrical stimulation through acupuncture needles to provide stronger or more sustained activation of Qi and Blood flow in the meridians.
• Scalp Acupuncture (Neuroacupuncture): A contemporary acupuncture technique involving the insertion of needles into specific therapeutic zones on the scalp that correspond to different body functions and brain areas (e.g., motor, sensory, balance zones), primarily used for neurological disorders, stroke rehabilitation, chronic pain, and psycho-emotional conditions.
• Comprehensive TCM Health Assessment & Pattern Diagnosis: An extensive assessment exploring your main health concerns through the holistic lens of TCM, including detailed questioning, tongue and pulse diagnosis, and observation of physical signs to determine the root cause of disharmony and guide treatment.
• 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 Tracy, 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 Courtland Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Tracy frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Experiencing circulatory problems, feeling cold often, or having cold hands and feet can be draining. Tracy utilizes acupuncture and other TCM methods to aim for gaining a deeper understanding of their body's unique energetic patterns and needs according to TCM principles, so patients can re-engage with swimming laps at the pool for fitness and relaxation feeling revitalized.
• The path to overcoming stiff and sore neck or shoulders from stress or computer work and achieving a significant reduction in allergy symptoms (sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes) and less reliance on allergy medications is often clearer with TCM. Tracy guides patients toward reclaiming activities such as managing the physical demands of their job without constant pain with improved health.
• Patients struggling with heartburn, acid reflux, or general indigestion after meals can find dedicated support from Tracy. The therapeutic focus is on achieving experiencing fewer and less intense headaches or migraines, leading to more pain-free days, using a range of TCM modalities to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as managing their personal care routines independently.
• Struggling with brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or poor memory? Tracy develops individualized TCM treatment plans aimed at achieving achieving more regular, comfortable, and predictable bowel movements, key to helping you get back to doing reducing reliance on pain, sleep, or anxiety medications (always under medical guidance) with improved well-being and energy.

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

Tracy practices at Courtland Acupuncture, situated in the Downtown Kitchener, Cedar Hill neighbourhood. The clinic is conveniently located near Sunrise Shopping Centre and is easily accessible via Grand River Transit (GRT), including bus routes and the ION Light Rail. Our clinic offers a serene environment for healing, with accessible parking options typically available for patients.

What should I expect during my first Acupuncture or TCM appointment?

Your initial Acupuncture/TCM appointment will typically involve a comprehensive intake process, often lasting 60 to 90 minutes. Your Registered Acupuncturist will discuss your main health concerns in detail, review your medical history, and inquire about your lifestyle, diet, sleep patterns, and emotional state. A key part of this initial visit is the TCM diagnostic assessment, which usually includes looking at your tongue and feeling your pulse on both wrists. Based on all this information, a TCM diagnosis (identifying your specific pattern of imbalance) will be formulated. Your practitioner will then discuss a personalized treatment plan with you, which may include acupuncture, and if you are seeing an R.TCMP or Dr.TCM, potentially an herbal formula, cupping, moxibustion, or dietary/lifestyle advice. An initial acupuncture treatment is often administered during this first visit to begin addressing your concerns.

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.

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

Acupuncture and TCM services provided by a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) or Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) in a private clinic are generally NOT covered by provincial health plans like Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket for these services. It is strongly recommended to check with your private or extended health insurance provider, as many plans offer partial or full coverage for services rendered by registered practitioners, though coverage varies significantly.

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

Patients in Ontario can typically see a Registered Acupuncturist (e.g., Registered Acupuncturist, Registered TCM Practitioner) directly without a physician's referral (direct access). However, while a referral is not legally required, some private and extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check your individual insurance policy requirements before your appointment.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic approach to health and wellness based on ancient principles. A Registered Acupuncturist assesses your overall health status, looking for patterns of imbalance according to TCM theory (often involving tongue and pulse diagnosis). Treatment may involve acupuncture, personalized herbal formulas (if an R.TCMP), cupping, moxibustion, and dietary/lifestyle guidance to restore balance and support healing.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture involves inserting very fine, sterile needles into specific points called acupoints to stimulate and balance Qi (vital energy) along meridians. According to TCM, this helps reduce pain, alleviate stress, improve sleep, regulate bodily functions like digestion and hormones, boost immunity, and promote overall well-being by activating the body's natural healing mechanisms.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

In TCM, Qi is the vital energy or life force that flows throughout the body, supporting all physiological processes. Meridians are specific channels through which Qi and Blood circulate, connecting internal organs with the body's exterior. Acupuncture points along these meridians are accessed to influence Qi flow, restore balance, and enhance health.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

For most individuals, acupuncture is not painful. The needles are very thin, and insertion often causes little to no discomfort. Many patients report feeling a dull ache, warmth, tingling, or fullness around the needle site, which indicates effective stimulation. Many find the experience relaxing, with some falling asleep. Practitioners are trained in safe needling techniques and use sterile, single-use needles to prevent infection. If any discomfort or pain occurs during treatment, patients are encouraged to inform their practitioner immediately.

Courtland Acupuncture
21 Courtland Ave. W.
Kitchener, ON, N2G 1K1

Phone: (226) 808-7899

Tracy Anne Rowan 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=91ae3d80-af78-e811-810b-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.