Yan Hou – Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Acupuncturist | Kelowna, BC

Yan Hou is a dedicated Registered TCM Practitioner (R.TCMP) (Acupuncture Services). Practicing at Multitherapy Acupuncture and Massage in Kelowna, BC, Yan 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.

Yan'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. Care is focused on using acupuncture to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and restore energetic balance according to TCM principles. Yan serves patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, tailoring each treatment to meet individual needs.

Yan Hou completed their RAC. With extensive clinical training and experience, Yan is committed to ongoing professional learning and upholding the highest standards of TCM practice. Yan has a particular interest and further training in areas such as TCM dietary therapy, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine, ensuring a comprehensive approach to health.

Yan's practice philosophy emphasizes a commitment to individualized treatment based on precise TCM pattern differentiation, ensuring care is tailored to each person's unique constitution and condition. Yan focuses on identifying and treating the root cause of illness (Ben Qíu Bìng Gēn) rather than just alleviating symptoms, to achieve long-lasting health. Additionally, Yan emphasizes preventative care and patient education (Zhì Wèi Bìng - Treat a disease before it occurs) to empower individuals in maintaining their well-being. Yan offers consultations in English.

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

Womens Health Gynecological

• Menstrual Irregularities (Amenorrhea, Oligomenorrhea, Metrorrhagia) & PMS/PMDD: Natural and effective solutions for achieving smoother, more comfortable, predictable menstrual cycles and balanced hormonal health.
• Menopausal & Perimenopausal Symptom Management (TCM): Supporting a smoother and more comfortable transition through menopause by rebalancing hormones naturally and strengthening the body's vital energy and adaptive capacity.
• Fibroids & Ovarian Cysts (Supportive TCM Management): TCM strategies, often involving acupuncture and herbal medicine, aimed at managing symptoms associated with uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts, such as heavy bleeding, pain, or pressure, by promoting circulation, resolving Blood stasis and Phlegm accumulation. (As an adjunct to gynecological monitoring).

Pain Musculoskeletal

• Arthritis & Joint Pain (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis - Supportive Care): TCM approaches, including acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine, to reduce joint inflammation, alleviate pain, decrease stiffness, and improve function in individuals with various forms of arthritis.
• Headaches & Migraines (Tension, Cluster, Hormonal - TCM Management): Acupuncture and TCM diagnostic protocols to differentiate and treat various types of headaches and migraines by addressing root causes such as Qi stagnation, Blood deficiency or stasis, Liver Yang Rising, Phlegm obstruction, or external pathogenic factors.

Digestive Gastrointestinal

• Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis (IBD) - Supportive TCM Care: Holistic and integrative TCM care to help modulate the immune response, alleviate abdominal pain and diarrhea, and support overall digestive health in individuals with Crohn's or colitis.
• Chronic Constipation or Diarrhea (Non-infectious): Restoring balance to the large and small intestines and related organ systems (like Spleen, Liver, Kidney) to promote normal stool consistency, frequency, and ease of passage.

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. Yan can assess your needs.

• 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.
• Customized Chinese Herbal Medicine Prescription (R.TCMP Scope): Expert formulation of potent Chinese herbal remedies based on classical TCM principles and modern research, designed to treat specific ailments, strengthen the body, and support long-term constitutional health.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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).
• Electroacupuncture: Combining traditional acupuncture with modern microcurrent technology to amplify pain relief, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue healing and nerve regeneration.
• Acupuncture Treatment (Body Acupuncture): Insertion of fine, sterile, single-use needles into specific acupoints on the body's meridians (energy pathways) to stimulate Qi (vital energy) flow, alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, regulate organ function, and promote natural healing.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Yan, 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 BC and the standards set by The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.

At Multitherapy Acupuncture and Massage, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Yan frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Through the gentle yet powerful methods of TCM, Yan assists patients with my child having frequent illnesses, digestive issues, or skin problems in reaching a substantial increase in overall energy levels, vitality, and stamina throughout the day, fostering a return to beloved activities like enjoying long, challenging hikes on weekends again.
• The path to overcoming feeling tired all the time, experiencing chronic fatigue, or lacking vitality and achieving feeling significantly calmer, less anxious, and more emotionally balanced and resilient is often clearer with TCM. Yan guides patients toward reclaiming activities such as engaging in gentle exercises like Tai Chi, Qigong, or yoga with improved balance, flexibility, and energy flow with improved health.
• Restoring harmony is key in TCM. For feeling down, having persistent low mood, or experiencing unpredictable mood swings, Yan crafts treatments to achieve reduced inflammation throughout the body, as indicated by symptoms or markers, supporting a return to activities like dressing myself independently and without difficulty with comfort and confidence.
• Many find that TCM with Yan not only helps with that nagging back pain that just won't go away but also brings about a profound sense of relaxation, calm, and overall well-being following treatments, allowing for a more fulfilling engagement in spending hours gardening comfortably, without subsequent back or knee strain.

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

Yan practices at Multitherapy Acupuncture and Massage, situated in the Central Kelowna area within the South Pandosy and Downtown neighborhoods. The clinic is conveniently located near the Commercial Corridor and is easily accessible via the Kelowna Regional Transit System (BC Transit). Our clinic provides a serene environment for healing, with accessible facilities and typically available parking options, ensuring a comfortable and convenient experience for all patients.

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.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

For most people, acupuncture is not painful. The needles used are very thin, and many individuals feel little to no sensation upon insertion. Some common sensations include a slight initial pinch, followed by a dull ache, warmth, tingling, or a feeling of fullness around the needle site, which usually indicates the treatment is working effectively to stimulate your body's Qi. Many patients report feeling very relaxed and even fall asleep during the session. Practitioners are highly trained in safe needling techniques and exclusively use sterile, single-use needles to ensure your safety and prevent infection. If you ever feel any notable pain, inform your Registered TCM Practitioner immediately.

Do I need a doctor's referral to see a Registered TCM Practitioner in BC?

Patients in BC can typically see a Registered TCM Practitioner (such as a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner) directly without a physician's referral, a practice known as direct access. However, while a referral is not legally required, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. Patients are advised to check their individual insurance policies to confirm coverage requirements.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture, performed by a qualified Registered TCM Practitioner, involves inserting thin needles at specific points on your body to stimulate the flow of Qi. It aims to restore balance within your body's energy system and can be beneficial for conditions such as pain, stress, digestive issues, menstrual problems, and more by activating your body's natural healing mechanisms.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic health approach rooted in ancient principles, involving diagnosis and treatment of patterns of imbalance. A Registered TCM Practitioner assesses your overall health through techniques like tongue and pulse diagnosis and may recommend acupuncture, herbal formulas, cupping, moxibustion, and lifestyle modifications to restore harmony and promote healing.

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 private clinics are generally not covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) in BC. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket for these treatments. It is recommended to check with private or extended health insurance providers, as many plans offer varying degrees of coverage for registered practitioners' services.

Multitherapy Acupuncture and Massage
E-2009 Enterprise Way
Kelowna, BC, V1Y 9S9

Phone: (778) 760-1868

Yan Hou 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.