Xiaoning Jeffrey Liu – Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Acupuncturist | Vancouver, BC

Dr. Xiaoning Jeffrey Liu is a dedicated Doctor of TCM (Dr.TCM) (Acupuncture Services). Practicing at Chinatown Centre Medical Clinic in Vancouver, BC, Dr. Liu is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, adhering to the standards set by The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.

Dr. Liu's role involves offering 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. Care is focused on using acupuncture to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and restore energetic balance according to TCM principles. Dr. Liu's approach is holistic, emphasizing individualized care tailored to each patient's unique constitution and health needs, serving patients of all ages, from infants to seniors.

Dr. Xiaoning Jeffrey Liu completed their DRTCM. With clinical training and experience, Dr. Liu is committed to ongoing professional learning and upholding the highest standards of TCM practice. Dr. Liu has a particular interest or further training in areas such as TCM dietary therapy, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine. Utilizing time-tested therapies like acupuncture and herbal medicine, Dr. Liu aims to support the body's innate healing capacity and restore natural balance (Yin-Yang Harmony). Dr. Liu offers consultations in English, ensuring clear communication and personalized care for each patient.

Dr. Xiaoning Jeffrey Liu provides skilled Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine care for a variety of health concerns, including but not limited to:

Respiratory Allergy Immune

• Allergies (Seasonal/Environmental, e.g., Hay Fever, Allergic Rhinitis) & Sinusitis: Natural and effective strategies for managing acute allergy symptoms and reducing the frequency and severity of chronic allergic rhinitis or sinusitis.
• 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.
• Weak Immune System & Recurrent Infections: A proactive and preventative TCM approach to enhance your body's natural defense mechanisms, reduce susceptibility to illness, and promote robust, long-term immunity.

Womens Health Gynecological

• Pregnancy, Labor Preparation & Postpartum Care (TCM): Safe and gentle acupuncture and specific TCM therapies to support a healthy pregnancy (e.g., alleviating morning sickness, back pain, fatigue), prepare the body for labor (e.g., cervical ripening, encouraging optimal fetal position, breech presentation turning with moxibustion), and promote optimal recovery during the postpartum period (e.g., restoring energy, supporting lactation, addressing 'baby blues' or postpartum depression, healing perineal trauma).
• Menopausal & Perimenopausal Symptom Management (TCM): Acupuncture and tailored herbal formulas to effectively alleviate common menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, anxiety, mood swings, vaginal dryness, fatigue, and cognitive changes ('brain fog') by nourishing Kidney Yin and Essence, clearing deficiency heat, and calming the Shen.

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. Dr. Liu 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: Stimulation of specific reflex points on the ear (auricle) using fine needles, small seeds (e.g., vaccaria seeds), or beads affixed with tape to treat various health conditions throughout the body, based on the principle that the ear is a microsystem reflecting the entire body.
• 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: Recommending specific Qigong or Tai Chi forms tailored to an individual's health needs and constitution to support healing and maintain well-being.
• 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.
• Motor Point Acupuncture / Dry Needling (TCM Context): Precise needling of tight muscle bands and trigger points to reduce pain, improve local circulation, and restore normal muscle tone and movement patterns.
• TCM Lifestyle & Wellness Coaching (Yang Sheng): Comprehensive coaching to help you integrate TCM wisdom into your daily life for improved balance, vitality, mental clarity, and emotional well-being, fostering a proactive approach to health.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Dr. Liu, or to discuss your specific needs, please contact the clinic.

All services are provided in accordance with the scope of practice for Doctor of TCMs in BC and the standards set by The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.

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

• Let Dr. Liu help you navigate general muscle tension, stiffness, and aches throughout my body with targeted TCM care. The goal is a more positive outlook and improved mood stability, so you can fully enjoy working at a desk or computer with reduced neck, shoulder, or back tension and clearer mental focus and other life pleasures once more.
• Struggling with circulatory problems, feeling cold often, or having cold hands and feet? Dr. Liu develops individualized TCM treatment plans aimed at achieving a stronger, more robust, and resilient immune system, leading to fewer colds, flu, or other infections, key to helping you get back to managing daily stress with a greater sense of calm, focus, and emotional resilience with improved well-being and energy.
• By addressing the root energetic imbalances related to feeling tired all the time, experiencing chronic fatigue, or lacking vitality, Dr. Liu helps patients work towards effective alleviation of some common side effects associated with conventional medical treatments like chemotherapy, facilitating a return to cherished activities like feeling well enough to consistently attend work or school without frequent sick days.
• Many individuals seek the expertise of Dr. Liu, their Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, when sports injuries like sprains, strains, or tendonitis needing faster healing impacts their daily life. Through personalized TCM treatments, they often achieve experiencing more regular, balanced, and manageable menstrual cycles with substantially reduced PMS or PMDD symptoms, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like engaging in detailed crafting, sewing, or knitting hobbies for hours with clear focus.

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

Dr. Liu practices at Chinatown Centre Medical Clinic, situated in the Downtown Eastside (DTES), Gastown, Chinatown neighborhood of Vancouver. The clinic is conveniently located near Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) and is easily accessible via TransLink, including SkyTrain (Expo, Millennium, Canada Lines), bus, SeaBus, and West Coast Express (Waterfront). Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Convenient parking options are typically accessible.

Approximately how many Acupuncture/TCM sessions will I need and how often?

This is very individual. Some acute problems might resolve in just a few closely spaced sessions, while chronic conditions often require a series of treatments, perhaps once or twice a week initially, then tapering off as your condition improves over several weeks or months. Dr. Liu will be able to give a better estimate after your first visit and will reassess your progress regularly to adjust the treatment frequency. The goal is to achieve stable improvement and then maintain it with less frequent visits if necessary.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi (pronounced 'chee') is often translated as 'vital energy' or 'life force.' It’s considered the fundamental energy that flows throughout the body, responsible for all physiological processes, movement, warmth, and protection against illness. Meridians (or channels) are specific pathways through which Qi and Blood circulate. These pathways connect the internal organs with the exterior parts of the body, including muscles, skin, and sensory organs. Acupuncture points are specific locations along these meridians where the flow of Qi can be accessed and influenced to restore balance and health.

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 to inform your practitioner about all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and existing health conditions. Avoid self-prescribing Chinese herbs or purchasing from unreliable sources due to risks of incorrect diagnosis, improper formulation, contamination, or adverse interactions. R.TCMPs often source herbs from trusted suppliers who perform quality testing to ensure safety.

Do I need a doctor’s referral to see a Doctor of TCM in BC?

Patients in BC can typically see a Doctor of TCM (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. It is advisable to check your individual insurance policy requirements.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine, sterile needles into specific points called acupoints to stimulate and balance the flow of Qi along meridians. This can help reduce pain, alleviate stress and anxiety, improve sleep, regulate bodily functions like digestion and hormones, boost the immune system, and support overall well-being by promoting the body's natural healing abilities.

Are Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine services covered by Medical Services Plan (MSP) in BC?

Services provided by a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) or Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) in a private clinic are generally NOT covered by MSP in BC. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket. It is recommended to check with private or extended health insurance plans, as coverage varies and some may offer partial reimbursement for these services.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Acupuncture needles are extremely fine, sterile, and single-use, often not much thicker than a human hair. Their insertion is usually painless or feels like a tiny prick. Once inserted, you might feel sensations such as a dull ache, warmth, tingling, or pressure, which are signs that Qi is being influenced. Most patients find treatment relaxing. Registered practitioners only use sterile, disposable needles to ensure safety. Always communicate with your practitioner if you experience discomfort.

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how can a Doctor of TCM help?

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic approach that assesses overall health patterns based on ancient principles. A Doctor of TCM will evaluate your health through tongue and pulse diagnosis, then develop a treatment plan that may include acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, and lifestyle advice to restore balance and promote healing.

Chinatown Centre Medical Clinic
165 - 288 E. Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC, V6A 4H8

Phone: (604) 605-3382

Dr. Xiaoning Jeffrey Liu is regulated by the Health Professions Act (British Columbia) in BC and is a registered member of The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.

Registration can typically be verified with The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.

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.