Services
Free Initial Consultation (Meet and Greet)
15 minutes
This consultation is an opportunity for you to ask general questions about our services, whether or not we think we can assist you, any concerns you may have, and to see if it’s a good fit to work together. There won’t be enough time for a full personalized assessment and TCM diagnosis. NOTE: Because of COVID-19, we are now doing all initial consultations by phone or online. Click here to request your free consultation today.
Initial Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Intake for New Patients
55 min (online) or 90 min (in person) *depending on your specific health conditions
This session will include an initial health history, Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment and diagnosis, and a personalized treatment plan. We ask about your digestion, sleep patterns, diet, thirst, menstruation, etc. and use traditional tongue, pulse and abdomen diagnosis to develop a treatment plan customized to your unique health condition and goals. The plan may include telemedicine (phone/online) TCM follow-up sessions, acupuncture, self-acupressure protocols, cupping, self-care, dietary or herbal recommendations. Please send in any recent lab and imaging reports in advance via email or by inviting us (info@oncologyacupuncture.ca) to view your hospital record.
Acupuncture Sessions (follow-ups)
60 to 90 minutes, depending on what you need (typically 60 min).
Let go of pain and stress. Nourish your body and spirit. Naturally manage your stress, anxiety, moods and sleep. Find natural supports for your journey with cancer, chronic pain, or other illnesses. Our treatments are personally tailored to your health condition and goals, and may combine:
– acupuncture
– moxibustion (herbal heat therapy)
– bodywork (acupressure, tuina massage, head massage, etc.)
– electro-acupuncture
– cupping
– guasha (scraping)
– ear acupuncture or acupressure beads
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) follow-up sessions
15 to 60 minutes, depending on what you need (typically 15-30 min).
Our Traditional Chinese Medicine sessions are done virtually (phone/ online) and may combine:
– Chinese Herbal Medicine consultation
– self-acupressure protocols
– home exercise or stretching recommendations
– Chinese medicine nutrition
– mindfulness coaching
– wellness and self-care coaching
– TCM re-assessment and treatment planning
During COVID-19, this sessions are usually done by phone/online.
Cupping
10 minutes and up • Can be included in acupuncture treatment
Cupping is a traditional method of placing glass, silicone or plastic cups on specific areas of the skin, with a suction created (you will feel a gentle pull from the cup). This therapy can help loosen muscle tension, reduce pain, improve circulation, release toxins, lower inflammation, and benefit respiratory issues such as coughing and asthma. Many people find it relaxing, like a deep tissue massage. After your initial TCM consultation and assessment, cupping can also be done as a standalone service (same hourly fees apply).
Tuina, Acupressure, or Traditional Meridian Massage
10 minutes and up • Can be included in acupuncture treatment
Tuina massage is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It involves a variety of ways of manually stimulating the parts of the body. Acupressure involves using the hands to stimulate acupuncture points. Traditional Meridian Massage, a circuit of the face, head, neck, shoulders, hands, and feet to balance the major energy channels of the body — excellent for clarity, emotional balance, relaxation, sleep promotion, and energy renewal. The massage may be practiced through clothing, and we may integrate pieces of the circuit into personalized acupuncture treatments, depending on the specific health balance and goals you bring to our session.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
15 minutes and up
Chinese herbal medicine is an ancient art of combining medicinal herbs into a custom prescription for each patient. The combinations strengthen the desired effects of the herbs, while minimizing side effects. We typically use between 8 and 18 herbs in each formula. Herbs come in their dried form for boiling at home, or in granules, tablets, capsules, tinctures, washes, soaks and more for easy consumption. We always take into account what other herbs, supplements and medications you are on for safety reasons.
Moxibustion & Heat Therapy
10 minutes and up • Can be included in acupuncture treatment.
Moxibustion (aka “moxa”) is a focused heat therapy which involves the burning of the herb Mugwort over specific acupuncture points to positively stimulate the body in a variety of ways. Mugwort is the herb of choice as it burns evenly, and its oils and aromas have a positive effect on the body. Most people find the focused heat therapy comfortable and relaxing. In modern times, we also have smokeless moxa, liquid moxa, stick-on moxa, heat lamps, and other versions suitable for use in medical clinics or at home.
Guasha
10 minutes and up • Can be included in acupuncture treatment
Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese medical soft tissue treatment, in which the skin is lightly and repeatedly scraped with a massage tool. The scraping is usually comfortable (like a massage) and improves circulation and mobility, reduces pain and stiffness, and helps the body heal from the common cold, fever or coughs. This action may cause light bruising, which often appear as purple or red spots known as petechiae or “sha”. Some other health professionals now employ this ancient technique under the name of the “Graston technique”.
Mindfulness Meditation Coaching and Facilitation
15 minutes and up • Can be included in acupuncture treatment
Whether with individuals, small groups, or a large group course, we love working with you to explore how to practice being present, awake and content in each moment of our daily lives. We have several years experience working with people to explore mindfulness and its many benefits for our mental, emotional and physical health. Our mindfulness work is customized to your particular needs, and can be integrated into your acupuncture treatments, or in separate sessions.
Talks and Workshops
45 minutes and up
We provide workshops on natural cancer prevention and care, mindfulness meditation, stress, anxiety and mood management, self-care, Traditional Chinese Medicine, burnout, nutrition, acupuncture, and many other topics. Pauline has also been brought in to offer acupuncture to groups (e.g. workplace groups, special events, etc.). She offers her skills as an experienced group facilitator, a broad background in community/ social/ environmental issues and anti-oppression, a passion for organizing and community development, and health/ wellness information from a Chinese medicine viewpoint. Learn more…
Group / Community Sessions
1 hour and up
We provide affordable, welcoming, accessible and custom-designed sessions for groups:
– group acupuncture
– mindfulness workshops or courses
– workplace treatments, fundraisers and special events
– small group mindfulness coaching
Referrals
You deserve holistic care that fits in with all the other healing work and approaches you feel are helpful. We work with, and can refer you as needed to, excellent naturopaths, psychotherapists, counsellors, chiropractors, biomedical doctors, registered massage therapists, Shiatsu therapists, physiotherapists, lymphedema specialists, exercise therapist, and other practitioners in Toronto, Vaughan and rest of the Greater Toronto Area.
Request your free consultation
Come in to chat, get to know us, and ask questions you might have. It'll take about 15 minutes, and you have absolutely no obligation to book afterward.