Yan Zhao – Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Acupuncturist | North York, ON

Yan Zhao is a dedicated Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCMP) (Acupuncture Services). Practicing at UNIQUE CHINESE MEDICINE CENTRE in North York, 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.

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. 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, ensuring personalized and compassionate care tailored to each individual's needs.

Yan 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 and further training in areas such as TCM dietary therapy, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine. Her practice philosophy emphasizes utilizing time-tested therapies like acupuncture and herbal medicine to support the body's innate healing capacity and restore natural balance (Yin-Yang Harmony). Yan is dedicated to individualized treatment based on precise TCM pattern differentiation, ensuring care is tailored to each person's unique constitution and condition. She also emphasizes preventative care and patient education (Zhì Wèi Bìng - Treat a disease before it occurs) to empower individuals in maintaining their well-being. She offers consultations in English and Chinese.

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

Womens Health Gynecological

• Pregnancy, Labor Preparation & Postpartum Care (TCM): Nourishing Qi, Blood, and Essence, strengthening the Kidney and Spleen organ systems, and ensuring smooth Qi flow to support the mother and baby throughout the entire perinatal journey.
• 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).
• Menstrual Irregularities (Amenorrhea, Oligomenorrhea, Metrorrhagia) & PMS/PMDD: Addressing underlying TCM patterns such as Liver Qi Stagnation, Blood Stasis or Deficiency, Kidney Essence Deficiency, or Damp-Phlegm obstruction that contribute to menstrual and emotional cycle problems.
• Menopausal & Perimenopausal Symptom Management (TCM): Natural, non-hormonal relief from uncomfortable menopausal changes, helping to restore vitality, improve sleep, stabilize mood, and support overall well-being during this significant life stage.

Other Common

• Bell's Palsy & Facial Paralysis Recovery: Acupuncture (often including electroacupuncture) and herbal medicine to help stimulate nerve regeneration, improve muscle tone, and accelerate recovery from Bell's Palsy or other forms of facial paralysis by expelling Wind, invigorating Qi and Blood flow to the facial meridians.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) & Adrenal Fatigue Support (TCM): Natural and comprehensive solutions for combating persistent, debilitating tiredness, improving energy production, and enhancing overall resilience and quality of life.

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.

• 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.
• TCM Lifestyle & Wellness Coaching (Yang Sheng): Practical strategies for living in harmony with nature, managing daily stressors effectively, conserving vital energy (Qi), and cultivating healthy habits from a TCM perspective to support overall resilience and a vibrant life.
• Electroacupuncture: Utilizing precisely controlled electrical stimulation through acupuncture needles to provide stronger or more sustained activation of Qi and Blood flow in the meridians.
• TCM Dietary Therapy & Nutritional Counseling (Shi Liao): Guidance on incorporating specific therapeutic foods and avoiding detrimental ones to align with your TCM pattern diagnosis, enhance treatment outcomes, and support seasonal well-being.
• 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: 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): 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.

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 ON and the standards set by The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario.

At UNIQUE CHINESE MEDICINE CENTRE, 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:

• With Yan, an Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, individuals with seasonal allergies (hay fever) making me sneeze, congested, and miserable are guided towards achieving more regular, comfortable, and predictable bowel movements, focusing on restoring the body's natural balance to enjoy engaging in mindful practices with a calmer and more centered state of mind again with greater zest.
• Through the gentle yet powerful methods of TCM, Yan assists patients with feeling tired all the time, experiencing chronic fatigue, or lacking vitality in reaching enhanced stress management capabilities and improved coping mechanisms for daily pressures, fostering a return to beloved activities like taking energetic, long walks with their dog every day and enjoying it.
• Rediscover your ability to easily carry groceries in from the car in one or two trips without strain without the burden of frequent headaches or intense migraines disrupting your life. Yan focuses on TCM treatment plans that lead to an enhanced overall quality of life and a greater capacity to enjoy daily activities and social engagements, integrating various therapeutic techniques to support your body's healing.
• Patients struggling with high blood pressure needing complementary support for management can find dedicated support from Yan. The therapeutic focus is on achieving noticeable improvement in digestive comfort, with significantly less bloating, gas, or abdominal pain, using a range of TCM modalities to facilitate a return to meaningful daily activities such as participating in light recreational activities like bowling or mini-golf.

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 UNIQUE CHINESE MEDICINE CENTRE, situated in a central North York neighborhood dedicated to holistic health. The clinic is conveniently located near local community centers and public parks, making it easy for patients to access a peaceful environment for healing. With multiple public transit routes nearby, patients can reach the clinic comfortably. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves the insertion of very fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body called acupoints. According to TCM theory, this helps to stimulate and balance the flow of Qi (vital energy) along pathways known as meridians. Acupuncture can help by reducing pain, alleviating stress and anxiety, improving sleep, regulating bodily functions (like digestion and hormones), boosting the immune system, and promoting overall well-being by encouraging the body's natural healing abilities.

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

Patients in Ontario can typically see a Registered TCM Practitioner (such as a Registered Acupuncturist or TCM Practitioner) directly without a physician's referral (known as direct access). However, while a referral isn't legally required, some private or extended health insurance plans may require one for reimbursement purposes. It's advisable to check your individual insurance policy for specific requirements.

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's important to inform your practitioner about all medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Avoid self-prescribing herbs or purchasing from unreliable sources to prevent risks of incorrect diagnosis, improper formulation, contamination, or adverse interactions. R.TCMPs typically source herbs from trusted suppliers who perform quality testing.

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

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic approach to health based on ancient principles. A Registered TCM Practitioner assesses your overall health through methods like tongue and pulse diagnosis, identifying patterns of imbalance. Treatments may include acupuncture, herbal formulas, cupping, moxibustion, and lifestyle or dietary recommendations to restore balance and promote healing.

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

Services provided by registered practitioners such as R.Ac or R.TCMP in private clinics are generally not covered by OHIP. Patients usually pay out-of-pocket, but many private or extended health plans do offer coverage. It's recommended to verify with your insurance provider about reimbursement options and coverage levels.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Acupuncture needles are extremely fine, sterile, and single-use, often not much thicker than a human hair. Insertion is usually painless or feels like a tiny prick. You might experience a dull ache, warmth, tingling, or a feeling of heaviness once the needles are in place, which are signs that Qi is being influenced. Most people find the experience relaxing. Registered practitioners use only sterile, disposable needles to ensure safety. Always communicate with your practitioner if you experience discomfort.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

In TCM, Qi is considered the vital energy or life force that flows through the body, supporting all physiological functions. Meridians are specific pathways through which Qi and Blood circulate, connecting internal organs with exterior body parts. Acupuncture points are located along these meridians and are used to influence Qi flow, restore balance, and promote health.

UNIQUE CHINESE MEDICINE CENTRE
26 Patina Drive
North York, ON, M2H 1R1

Phone: (647) 262-8861

Yan 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=0b79c309-b976-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.