About
Wen Zhao is a dedicated Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCMP) (Acupuncture Services). Practicing at Mississauga Clinic in Mississauga, 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.
Wen's role involves providing skilled acupuncture treatments for a wide variety of common health concerns, including pain management (musculoskeletal pain, headaches), stress reduction, sleep issues, and general wellness support. Her care is focused on using acupuncture to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and restore energetic balance according to TCM principles. She serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.
Wen Zhao completed her R. TCMP, R. Ac (Graduating Class of 2013). With over 11 years of dedicated practice since 2013, 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 TCM dietary therapy, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine. Her philosophy emphasizes a holistic approach, viewing the body as an interconnected system where physical, mental, and emotional aspects are inseparable (Holism); she focuses on identifying and treating the root cause of illness (Ben Qíu Bìng Gēn), rather than just alleviating symptoms, to achieve long-lasting health. She offers consultations in English, Mandarin.
Wen Zhao provides skilled Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:
Pain Musculoskeletal
- 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.
- Headaches & Migraines (Tension, Cluster, Hormonal - TCM Management): Natural and effective solutions for managing debilitating headaches and migraines, aiming to reduce their frequency, intensity, and duration without heavy reliance on medication.
- Arthritis & Joint Pain (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis - Supportive Care): Holistic support to improve quality of life for those suffering from chronic joint pain, swelling, and stiffness due to osteoarthritic degeneration or autoimmune joint conditions (as an adjunct to conventional care).
Respiratory Allergy Immune
- Common Cold, Flu & Viral Infections (Prevention & Accelerated Recovery): Natural support for strengthening your immunity, reducing susceptibility to common infections, and helping you recover more quickly and completely when you do get sick.
- Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis & Cough (Supportive TCM Care): Addressing underlying Lung, Spleen, and Kidney deficiencies that often contribute to chronic respiratory conditions and recurrent coughs, aiming to reduce frequency and severity of attacks.
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. Wen can assess your needs.
- 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.
- 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.
- Electroacupuncture: A form of acupuncture where a small, gentle, and continuous electrical current is passed between pairs of acupuncture needles to enhance stimulation of acupoints and therapeutic effects, particularly effective for chronic pain, neurological conditions, and muscle spasm.
- Tui Na (Chinese Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork): Dynamic, hands-on bodywork based on TCM principles of meridians and acupoints to correct structural misalignments, improve circulation, alleviate chronic pain, and restore energetic harmony and balance.
- 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.
- Gua Sha (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization - TCM): A therapeutic technique involving the gentle but firm scraping of lubricated skin with a smooth-edged tool (e.g., jade, horn, ceramic spoon) to stimulate microcirculation of the soft tissue, which releases muscle tension, breaks down adhesions and scar tissue, reduces pain and inflammation, and promotes healing and detoxification by releasing 'Sha' (stagnant blood and metabolic waste).
- 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 Wen, 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 Mississauga Clinic, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Wen frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:
- If digestive issues like bloating, gas, cramps, constipation, or diarrhea (IBS-like symptoms) is preventing you from fully enjoying cooking and eating a wider variety of healthy foods comfortably and with enjoyment, Wen offers skilled acupuncture and TCM care. Treatment focuses on improved mental focus, concentration, and cognitive clarity as overall health and energy improve, often utilizing acupuncture, herbal remedies (if R.TCMP), and lifestyle advice to help you regain balance and function.
- Struggling with fertility challenges, trying to conceive, or wanting to prepare my body for pregnancy? Wen develops individualized TCM treatment plans aimed at achieving enjoying consistently more restful, deeper, and restorative sleep patterns, waking up refreshed, key to helping you get back to doing walking up and down several flights of stairs without issue with improved well-being and energy.
- The journey to enhanced stress management capabilities and improved coping mechanisms for daily pressures when faced with dizziness, lightheadedness, or vertigo that affects my balance and daily activities can be supported by Wen's expertise in acupuncture and TCM, often leading to a more comfortable and active return to pastimes like enjoying long, challenging hikes on weekends again.
- Many find that TCM with Wen not only helps with frequent headaches or intense migraines disrupting my life but also brings about a noticeable reduction in muscle tension, tightness, and related discomfort or stiffness, allowing for a more fulfilling engagement in having the consistent energy and motivation to pursue creative outlets, learning, or personal passions.
Your personalized TCM treatment plan, developed with Wen, will be designed to help you reach your specific functional and wellness objectives using a holistic and time-tested approach.
Wen practices at Mississauga Clinic, situated in the Hurontario Central (Eglinton/Hwy 10) neighborhood of Mississauga. The clinic is conveniently located near Iceland Mississauga Arena and is accessible via MiWay (Mississauga Transit). Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.
- 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 individual private or extended health insurance plans, as many do offer some coverage for services provided by registered practitioners. Coverage levels can vary significantly.
- Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Registered TCM Practitioner in ON?
- In Ontario, patients can typically see a Registered TCM Practitioner (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 or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. It is advisable to check your insurance policy to confirm.
- What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?
- Qi is a core concept in TCM, representing the vital energy or life force that animates the body and drives its functions. When Qi flows smoothly and abundantly, health is maintained. Meridians are like a network of rivers or channels that carry Qi and Blood throughout the body, connecting different organs and tissues. Illness or pain can arise if the flow of Qi in these meridians becomes blocked, deficient, or excessive. Acupuncture and other TCM therapies aim to restore the proper flow of Qi within these meridians.
- 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 may feel a dull ache, warmth, tingling, a feeling of heaviness, or a sense of energy moving; these are positive signs that the treatment is working. Most people find acupuncture to be very relaxing. Registered practitioners use only sterile, disposable needles, ensuring safety. Always communicate with your practitioner if you experience any discomfort.
- What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how can a Registered TCM Practitioner help?
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a comprehensive medical system used for thousands of years, including therapies like acupuncture, herbal medicine, Tui Na massage, cupping, moxibustion, and dietary advice. A Registered TCM Practitioner uses these tools to identify and correct imbalances in the body's Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang, aiming to treat the root cause of health issues and promote overall harmony and wellness.
- What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?
- Acupuncture involves inserting very fine, sterile needles at specific points on the body to restore the flow of Qi. It can help with a wide range of conditions, including pain, stress, digestive issues, menstrual problems, and more, by activating the body's own healing mechanisms and restoring balance.
Mississauga Clinic
25 Watline Ave
Mississauga, ON, L4Z 2Z1
Phone: (905) 232-8818
Wen Zhao 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=eaadc82c-b176-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.