Acupuncture

Registered as a TCM Practitioner with the CTCMPAO

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In step with the new Province of Ontario regulation of traditional Chinese medicine in Ontario, Wenlian has achieved his recognition as a registered TCM Practitioner. He is specialized in both acupuncture and herbal medicine remedies.

Wenlian began his TCM career in China, graduating from Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1983 with an MD degree. He worked as a chief doctor and professor in the Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University until relocating to the United States in 1996 where he became licensed as a U.S. National Acupuncture Board certified Acupuncture Physician.  In 2008 he moved to Ottawa Ontario to join the Marshall Health Clinic and to become the Chair of TCM Education for the International Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Over the span of his career he has also published many TCM papers and co-authored 2 textbooks, “Clinical Examination Method in Orthopedics” and “Acupuncture Points Anatomy”.

Acupuncture can do wonders and has a history to prove it!
The beginnings of traditional Chinese medicine is believed to have developed, much like the Indian Ayurveda system, from folk medicine and there is no shortage of discussion about its development over centuries of successful use.

Modern day acupuncturists suggest the formalization of traditional Chinese medicine began to evolve through the times of three legendary Emperors, Shen Nung, Huang Di and Fu Hsi. Then around 2600 B.C., the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine was penned and remains today, a foundational book of study throughout the world.

When asked to help describe the workings of acupuncture Wenlian comments.  “TCM strives to put the body systems back in balance. Acupuncturists, through the skilful & careful placement of needles on “acupuncture points” (“xue” in Chinese), treat what we call  “patterns of disharmony”. The end result is to clear the energy blockages and return the body to its normal flow and function.”

Body energy seems to be a big part of acupuncture.  

“In Chinese, we use the term Qi ( pronounced CHEE) and this means vital energy or life force and enhancing or fixing Qi is fundamental to the path of prevention or curing body ailments.”

When you first meet a client how do you determine what you need to do?
“First of all the client has provided a health history but assessment in TCM is not simply an attempt to identify and treat symptoms by themselves. It is really a process of evaluating the whole client, emotionally, physically, and psychologically and then determining a course of action to help make body corrections.”

Have you any advice for people who have not tried acupuncture?
“Personal health is about body balance and disease is the consequence of imbalance. An excess the wrong way leads to trouble in the body. Acupuncture is actually a gentle and effective way of bringing things back into balance. The needles do not usually cause pain and the whole experience can bring about a sense of body calming. For the first time, why not try a supervised student clinic? It is a learning environment and senior students will be happy to help share information about an eastern philosophy in western terms.”

Regulation:
More than 25 years ago, the TCM profession started discussion and consultation with the provincial government requesting recognition as a health profession in Ontario. In 2006, TCM was finally recognized and granted self-regulatory status under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and received Royal Assent on December 24th 2006. It is currently one of 26 health professions under the Regulated Health Professions Act (1991). TCM regulation is the responsibility of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario. www.ctcmpao.on.ca