Xu Zhang

Xu practices at ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBS, situated in the Kerr Village, Glen Abbey East neighborhood of Oakville. The clinic is conveniently located near Oakville Place Mall and is accessible via Oakville Transit. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

• Herbal Medicine Preparation & Counseling: Educating patients on the actions and benefits of their specific herbal prescription and ensuring they understand how to take their herbs safely and effectively for optimal results.
• TCM Dietary Therapy & Nutritional Counseling (Shi Liao): Using food as medicine according to traditional Chinese dietary wisdom to strengthen organ function (especially Spleen and Stomach), improve digestion, build Qi and Blood, clear pathogenic factors, and promote overall harmony and longevity.
• Classical & Patent Chinese Herbal Formulas: Using established and time-tested patent herbal remedies (Cheng Yao) that have been trusted for generations to address specific symptoms or support overall health and organ system balance.
• Customized Chinese Herbal Medicine Prescription (R.TCMP Scope): Comprehensive assessment and prescription of individually tailored Chinese herbal formulas (raw herbs for decoction, granular extracts, powders, or pills) based on your specific TCM pattern diagnosis and constitution to address underlying imbalances and treat a wide range of acute and chronic health conditions. (Primarily within R.TCMP scope).
• Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture / Acupressure / Ear Seeds: Ear acupuncture or acupressure (using seeds for prolonged stimulation) to address issues like pain, addiction (e.g., smoking cessation, NADA protocol), stress, anxiety, and internal disorders by targeting corresponding reflex points on the ear.
• 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.
• 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 Xu, 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 ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBS, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Xu frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Through personalized acupuncture and TCM with Xu, common concerns like that nagging back pain that just won't go away are assessed from a holistic perspective to achieve enjoying consistently more restful, deeper, and restorative sleep patterns, waking up refreshed, helping people to once again enjoy being able to kneel or squat down to play with pets or children comfortably.
• Many individuals seek the expertise of Xu, their Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, when wanting to improve their overall energy, focus, and vitality naturally impacts their daily life. Through personalized TCM treatments, they often achieve improved mental focus, concentration, and cognitive clarity as overall health and energy improve, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like actively participating in family outings and vacations without holding others back.
• Struggling with general muscle tension, stiffness, and aches throughout the body? Xu develops individualized TCM treatment plans aimed at achieving a profound sense of relaxation, calm, and overall well-being following treatments, key to helping you get back to doing easily carrying groceries in from the car in one or two trips without strain with improved well-being and energy.
• Many find that TCM with Xu not only helps with managing side effects from chemotherapy or radiation treatments more comfortably but also brings about feelings of empowerment with practical self-care techniques, such as acupressure, moxibustion for home use, or specific TCM dietary advice, allowing for a more fulfilling engagement in activities like yoga or meditation with greater ease, comfort, and deeper relaxation.

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

Xu practices at ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBS, situated in the Kerr Village, Glen Abbey East neighborhood of Oakville. The clinic is conveniently located near Oakville Place Mall and is accessible via Oakville Transit. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system that has been used for thousands of years to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness. It includes therapies such as acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tui Na (therapeutic massage), cupping, moxibustion, and dietary/lifestyle advice. A Registered TCM Practitioner (e.g., Registered TCM Practitioner or Acupuncturist using TCM principles) uses these tools to address the root cause of health issues by identifying and correcting imbalances in the body's Qi (vital energy), Blood, Yin, and Yang. It can help with a wide array of conditions, aiming to restore harmony and promote long-term health.

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.

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). Patients typically pay out-of-pocket. It's advisable to check your private or extended health insurance plans, as many offer some coverage for registered practitioners' services, but coverage levels and requirements vary.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture, performed by a qualified Registered TCM Practitioner, involves inserting very thin needles at specific points on your body to restore balance in your body's energy flow. It can help manage pain (such as back pain or migraines), reduce stress, improve digestion, alleviate menstrual problems, and support overall health by activating your body's healing mechanisms.

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 or Acupuncturist directly, without a physician's referral (known as direct access). However, some private or extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement purposes. It is recommended to confirm with your insurance provider regarding their specific requirements.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

For most people, acupuncture is not painful. The needles are very thin, and many feel little to no sensation upon insertion. Some may experience a slight pinch or a dull ache, warmth, or tingling, which usually indicates effective stimulation of the body's Qi. Many patients feel very relaxed and may even fall asleep during treatment. Practitioners are highly trained to use sterile, single-use needles, ensuring safety and preventing infection. If any discomfort occurs, inform your practitioner immediately.

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), Chinese herbal formulas are generally safe and effective. R.TCMPs are trained to select high-quality herbs, identify potential herb-drug interactions, and consider contraindications, especially during pregnancy. Patients should inform their practitioner of all medications and health conditions. It is strongly advised not to self-prescribe herbs or purchase them from unreliable sources due to risks of incorrect diagnosis, contamination, or adverse interactions.

ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBS
210-466 Speers Rd.
Oakville, ON, L6K 3W9

Phone: (905) 901-9522

Xu Zhang 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=b2b3472f-c076-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.