Youna Kim

Youna practices at Edgemont Naturopathic Clinic, situated within an accessible acupuncture and TCM clinic in the central North Vancouver neighborhood of North Vancouver. The clinic is conveniently located near local community centers and public parks, making it easy for patients to incorporate their appointments into their daily routines. It is well-served by local public transit routes, ensuring easy access for those using public transportation. Our clinic is accessible and offers a serene environment for healing. Street parking is often available nearby.

• Tui Na (Chinese Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork): A comprehensive form of Chinese therapeutic massage and bodywork that utilizes a wide range of hand techniques (e.g., pushing, grasping, rolling, pressing, kneading) to manipulate soft tissues and joints, stimulate acupressure points, and promote the harmonious flow of Qi and Blood through the meridians, thereby relieving pain, correcting musculoskeletal imbalances, and treating various internal medicine conditions. (Typically offered by R.TCMP or specifically trained R.Ac).
• 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.
• Gua Sha (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization - TCM): Traditional East Asian healing technique, often used for musculoskeletal pain, common cold, fever, or heatstroke, to address pain by moving stagnant Qi and Blood, clear heat, and promote tissue recovery.
• Acupressure & Meridian Therapy: Targeting key energy points on the body with precise pressure to alleviate symptoms, support organ function, and enhance overall well-being.
• Cupping Therapy (Fire Cupping, Sliding Cupping, Stationary Cupping): Application of glass, bamboo, or silicone cups to the skin to create suction (often via heat/fire for glass cups, or a pump for others). This technique helps to relieve muscle tension, improve blood and Qi flow, reduce local inflammation, release toxins, open pores, and treat respiratory conditions or musculoskeletal pain.
• 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.
• Moxibustion (Moxa Therapy): The therapeutic application of heat from burning processed mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) near or on the skin at specific acupuncture points or areas of the body. This warms meridians, stimulates Qi and Blood flow, dispels Cold and Dampness, strengthens Yang energy, and can alleviate conditions associated with cold, stagnation, or deficiency.

Note: This list highlights some key services. For a full list of therapies offered by Youna, 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 Edgemont Naturopathic Clinic, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are focused on helping individuals like you achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, and daily activities. Youna frequently helps patients work towards goals such as:

• Acupuncture and TCM with Youna can be a turning point for those affected by TMJ, jaw pain, or teeth grinding that causes discomfort and headaches. The goal is achieving gaining a deeper understanding of their body's unique energetic patterns and needs according to TCM principles, paving the way for you to enjoy attending concerts or theatre shows and sitting comfortably throughout and a more balanced, vibrant life.
• Through the gentle yet powerful methods of TCM, Youna assists patients with stiff and sore neck or shoulders from stress or computer work in reaching experiencing more regular, balanced, and manageable menstrual cycles with substantially reduced PMS or PMDD symptoms, fostering a return to beloved activities like swimming laps at the pool for fitness and relaxation.
• When managing side effects from chemotherapy or radiation treatments more comfortably is limiting your lifestyle, acupuncture and TCM with Youna can help you work towards a profound sense of relaxation, calm, and overall well-being following treatments, aiming to restore harmony and optimal function so you can comfortably and safely enjoy experiencing clearer sinuses and easier breathing during daily activities and exercise.
• Many individuals seek the expertise of Youna, their Acupuncturist/TCM Practitioner, when wanting to support my body's natural detoxification processes impacts their daily life. Through personalized TCM treatments, they often achieve a stronger, more robust, and resilient immune system, leading to fewer colds, flu, or other infections, empowering them to joyfully return to activities like planning and participating in future events with confidence in their health and well-being.

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

Youna practices at Edgemont Naturopathic Clinic, situated within an accessible acupuncture and TCM clinic in the central North Vancouver neighborhood of North Vancouver. The clinic is conveniently located near local community centers and public parks, making it easy for patients to incorporate their appointments into their daily routines. It is well-served by local public transit routes, ensuring easy access for those using public transportation. 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 Medical Services Plan (MSP) in BC?

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 Medical Services Plan (MSP) in BC. Patients typically pay out-of-pocket for these services. However, many private and extended health insurance plans offer partial or full coverage for treatments by registered practitioners. Coverage levels vary widely, so patients are advised to check with their insurance providers for specific details.

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

In BC, patients can typically see a Registered TCM Practitioner (such as a Registered Acupuncturist or Registered TCM Practitioner) 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 verify your insurance policy requirements before booking your appointment.

What are Qi and Meridians in TCM?

**Qi** is the vital energy or life force that animates the body and sustains health. When Qi flows freely and in balance, health is maintained. **Meridians** are the interconnected pathways that carry Qi and Blood throughout the body, connecting organs and tissues. Disruptions or blockages in Qi flow within the meridians can cause pain, illness, or imbalance. Acupuncture and other TCM therapies aim to restore proper Qi flow within these meridians to promote healing and well-being.

Does acupuncture hurt? Are the needles safe?

Most people find acupuncture to be a comfortable experience. The needles used are very thin, causing minimal discomfort upon insertion. Many individuals feel only a slight pinch, followed by sensations such as warmth, tingling, or heaviness, which can indicate effective stimulation. Practitioners are highly trained in safe needling techniques and use sterile, single-use needles to prevent infection. If you experience any pain during the session, notify your practitioner immediately.

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

TCM is a holistic system of health care based on ancient Chinese principles. A Registered TCM Practitioner assesses your overall health using methods like pulse and tongue diagnosis to identify imbalances. Treatments may include acupuncture, herbal formulas, cupping, moxibustion, and dietary/lifestyle advice to restore harmony and support your body's natural healing processes.

What is Acupuncture and how can it help me?

Acupuncture involves inserting very fine, sterile needles into specific points called acupoints along the meridians to stimulate the flow of Qi. This can reduce pain, alleviate stress, improve sleep, regulate bodily functions, and enhance overall vitality. Many patients experience a sense of relaxation and well-being during and after treatments, supporting the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Edgemont Naturopathic Clinic
105-3246 Connaught Crescent
North Vancouver, BC, V7R 0A7

Phone: (604) 929-5772

Youna Kim 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.