Toronto
Community
Acupuncture

what is community acupuncture?

Community Acupuncture is a social-business model that aims to increase patient access to acupuncture by offering treatments in a group setting. Because you are sharing the space and the time you essentially share the cost, which is how we are able to make our treatments more affordable. Our affordable sliding-scale allows people to receive treatment at the dosage (or frequency) needed to get good results. We are part of a movement of community acupuncture clinics located all over the world that are committed to growing sustainable, affordable and effective healthcare.

How It Works

things to know & what to expect  

Selectors with Classes and IDs

01

preliminary online meeting


Before starting a course of treatment, we will meet by video or phone for an initial intake. Please email or text us to set this up. Alternatively, you can create a profile in our online calendar and add yourself to the waitlist for the specific days that you are available. You will have full access to the online calendar for booking the recommended acupuncture visits after this initial meeting.

  • Why do we do our consultations virtually?

    In order to stay on time while seeing multiple people per hour we need to streamline things in the clinic, including our conversations, which we limit to about 5 minutes at the start of each session. We also need to talk in hushed voices so we do not disturb people who are already resting in the room. 

  • What do we discuss during our chat?
    • you can give us a detailed description of your symptoms (when they started, what they feel like, where they are, etc.)

    • we will go over the clinic policies and procedures in case you have any questions

    • we will set up a treatment plan and help you navigate the online calendar so you can book the recommended in-clinic acupuncture visits, using the wait list if necessary

  • Have you been to ToCA before?

    Whenever we haven't seen a patient for 6 months or more, we recommend booking an online check-in before resuming acupuncture visits so we can decide how best to support your health needs. This allows time to explore your reasons for coming in, and update you on any changes in our operations. If you haven't been to the new clinic, and don't have full access to the online calendar yet, email us to set this up. Otherwise, you can schedule a pre-acupuncture consultation via the online calendar.

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02

Before your appointment


For initial consultations
There are a few things to do before your initial intake appointment to help guide our conversation.

  • Fill out a health history form

    The booking system will prompt you to fill out a form if it is your first time, or if you haven't been to the clinic for a while. All details about your health - even if they seem unconnected to your main concern - can be helpful to us in customizing your treatment and working as a team.

  • Take a picture of your tongue

    We appreciate it if you can email us a picture of your tongue before your appointment. We will upload the pictures to your chart and use them to customize your treatment. They will also serve as a baseline for evaluating progress. An instructional video is sent out ahead of your appointment to explain the fine art of tongue selfies!

For acupuncture appointments
Fill out the self-health screening and review the checklist of things to remember for your visit the day before your appointment. 

  • What should you do if you are sick?

    Let us know as soon as possible if you have active/acute upper respiratory or GI symptoms. A rule of thumb is that once your symptoms have been clearly improving for at least 48 hours it's OK to come in. If in doubt, please check in with us by email. We will ask you to mask up if you have lingering upper respiratory or allergy symptoms. Please ask for a mask if you have been exposed to infectious illness in your home, workplace or community.

  • What should you wear?

    Wear whatever makes you comfortable. Loose pants and a shirt that can easily roll up to elbows and knees are appreciated as the majority of the acupuncture points we use are on the lower arms, lower legs, hands and feet. There is no undressing in the shared treatment space. There are heating pads at each station but we invite you to bring a shawl or blanket for your upper body if you tend to get cold. For individual sessions we may have you remove some clothing but will always provide covers, drapes, and a heats source, when needed, to keep you appropriately covered and warm.

  • Is there anything else to do beforehand?

    We are located at 3 Munro St, which is at the back of the OMA Chiropractor building (when coming from Queen St, walk down the side of the building to find our door). Aim to arrive 5-10 minutes early so that we can start your treatment on time. If the door to the clinic is locked, knock to let us know you have arrived. Otherwise, come in and follow the instructions to get yourself ready. After welcoming you into the clinic room, we will help you get settled in your chair, check in to see how you are feeling, feel your pulse and palpate the acupuncture channels, if necessary, and proceed with the acupuncture treatment.

  • Where are we located? When should you arrive?

    We are located at 3 Munro St, which is at the back of the OMA Chiropractor building (when coming from Queen St, walk down the side of the building to find our door). Aim to arrive 5-10 minutes early so that we can start your treatment on time. If the door to the clinic is locked, knock to let us know you have arrived. Otherwise, come in and follow the instructions to get yourself ready. After welcoming you into the clinic room, we will help you get settled in your chair, check in to see how you are feeling, feel your pulse and palpate the acupuncture channels, if necessary, and proceed with the acupuncture treatment.

  • What should you do if you are running late?

    If you are more than 10 minutes late, text the clinic (416-405-8222). If we have flexibility we will try our best to squeeze you in otherwise, we may not be able to treat you and will have to charge the full $40 missed appointment fee. Give yourself extra time if you need to find parking!

  • How do you pay for your session?

    Payment is processed upon arrival if you are choosing to pay in person. We greatly appreciate online payments as this helps to streamline the check-in process and keep us on schedule.

  • How can you get ready for your treatment?

    Hang up your coat and place your shoes on a tray. We have cubbie shelves for bike helmets, bags, etc., but we recommend keeping your valuables with you. We ask that you limit what you bring into the clinic as space is limited. Put on a pair of slippers, which are required in the treatment room, then visit the washroom to wash your hands. We will direct you to a chair and help you get comfortable.

Selectors with Classes and IDs

03

AFTER YOUR TREATMENT


We will take your needles out after about 25-35 minutes in order to keep to the schedule, allow time to sanitize chairs, bolsters, pillows and slippers before the next person arrives and limit the number of people circulating in the clinic. Once the needles are removed, we will check in with you about how the treatment felt and give guidance on booking a follow-up session.

  • What should you expect to feel after acupuncture?

    How you respond to treatment can vary, and not always in ways that are entirely predictable. Some people feel relaxed and restful. Some people are energized. You might even fall asleep a little faster and stay asleep a little more deeply after a treatment.

    Pain can sometimes noticeably change after a single session, but changes can be subtle and it can be difficult to recognize these small shifts as they happen. The results in this case would be experienced over time due to the gradualness of the changes.

    It is also possible to be more sore for 1-2 days after treatment. This is typically a healing response, not a side effect. The pain is typically less than it was prior to treatment once your body has had time to acclimate to changes being made during the treatment.

  • How can you check in with us after a treatment?

    We may send you a survey to complete within a day or two of the treatment so you can report changes that happen even in areas or systems that we were not specifically targeting (e.g. energy, pain levels, sleep patterns, or appetite). Tracking these changes after specific point combinations helps us to understand your body better, determine what works best for you and steer your course of treatment effectively. That said, reach out by email if you have any questions or concerns about any changes you notice.

  • What should you do after acupuncture?

    While there is no hard and fast rule, it is recommended to drink plenty of water, stay comfortable and rest as much as possible after you get acupuncture. This isn’t because acupuncture “makes you tired” but because acupuncture relies on your body’s innate capacity to heal in order to do its work. We typically don’t advise participating in strenuous activity after acupuncture (i.e. go to the gym beforehand) but walking or gentle stretching may complement the effects of treatment. Above all, stay in contact with us, particularly early in treatment when things are changing more rapidly. If you’re having a tough experience after treatment, we may have tips to help mitigate it.

  • How long do the results last? How often should you come in?

    Results vary by person and condition. Acute conditions typically achieve results much quicker than a chronic condition. We often recommend coming in 2-3 times a week initially so we can build and sustain momentum between treatments, particularly if you notice the effects wearing off within a day or two. Acupuncture “dosage” ranges from 3-5 sessions clustered close together for recent/sudden concerns to 12 or more sessions spread out 1-2x/wk for persistent conditions.

ToCA appreciates the diversity of human beings and does not discriminate based on income level, race, nationality, body type, sexual orientation, gender identity, language or ability. We recognize that systemic racism is a public health crisis that needs to be addressed with community-led solutions. We endeavour to make ToCA a safe space where everyone in our community can come as they are and feel empowered to heal. We invite the feedback of those who experience marginalization to keep us accountable to this work.

our services

Our aim is to offer high quality, low-cost acupuncture, in support of whatever health and wellness goals someone may have. We welcome patients from all walks of life, with all kinds of health concerns in the community clinic. Affordability allows for a consistent "dose" of acupuncture, which is key to getting good results regardless of your reason for seeking treatment.

Since ToCA's opening in 2011, we have collectively given over 75,000 acupuncture treatments. This has allowed us to gain extensive experience with treating a variety of health conditions - chronic pain and acute injuries, digestive imbalances, fertility challenges, menstrual disorders, breech and overdue babies, migraines, insomnia, anxiety, seasonal conditions and more! We often treat symptoms that are hard to pin down to one specific cause, provide support for managing stress and offer options for preventative care and general wellness.

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COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE


We offer individualized acupuncture treatments from skilled practitioners** in a safe and supportive group setting. Many people find the silent group setting very comforting. 

  • How do we practice acupuncture in a group setting?

    A common question we are asked is why we are not putting needles into where the concern is located. It may surprise you to know that if you visited two different acupuncturists for the same issue, you may receive two very different, and yet effective treatments. There are two general ways to use needles in acupuncture - locally (where the concern is) and distally (or far away). Because we are a community acupuncture studio that uses reclining chairs, we use distal acupuncture points, which are located below the knee, below the elbow, on the head and at the ears. The main benefits to distal needling are efficiency, accessibility, safety and comfort.

    It is believed that distal points work faster and better because they’re found on the parts of the acupuncture channels that are closer to the surface (i.e. in areas of dense nervous tissue) than other sections. Using distal points is a way to access those channels quickly, leading to more stimulation of natural pain relieving chemical and blood flow via the central nervous system, and often making for dynamic, fast results. Dr. Richard Tan, the developer of the Balance Method (a distal style of acupuncture), described distal acupuncture in this way: “you can drag over a ladder and screw in the lightbulb, or you can flip the switch. We needle where the switch is.”

    Since the site of pain will not be needled, there is less risk of causing any aggravation to an area that is already painful, irritated and/or inflamed. This method is especially ideal for patients who are sensitive to direct touch or manipulation at the site of their discomfort. Distal needling can be more enjoyable because it allows you to move the area of concern. This allows the patient to give feedback as they are needled whether the injured site is better. Moving or stretching the area can also improve circulation and reduce discomfort while the needles are in place.

  • What styles of acupuncture do we use?

    There are many styles of distal acupuncture, including systems using only points on the ear or scalp or abdomen or hand to treat the whole body. Our distal approach at ToCA is influenced by the Tung family lineage of acupuncture, Richard Tan’s Balance Method and the Korean Four-needle Technique (Saam style).

    These distal styles are system-based approaches to the classical acupuncture concepts of healing the body by balancing the channels and using more accessible areas of the body to image and treat specific locations (e.g. the ankle corresponds to the neck and may be needled for neck pain). Treatment is individualized for each patient depending on the manifestation of the condition (i.e. where it is felt and what it feels like) but also individual constitutional characteristics (e.g. anatomical traits, climate and temperament), which may explain individual differences in apparently similar health concerns.

  • Do we take walk-ins?

    The community setting can often accomodate short notice visits for acute and time sensitive needs or occasional tune-ups but our treatments become more personalized for patients who visit regularly or frequently.

**All of our acupuncturists are registered with CTCMPAO

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INDIVIDUAL ACUPUNCTURE


We offer acupuncture appointments in both group and private settings - the choice depends on your recommended treatment plan but also on personal preference. Some patients will benefit from periodically doing an individual session to complement or supplement their treatment plan in the community clinic.

  • Why should you choose to book an individual session?

    Individual sessions provide opportunity for added body work, like cupping, tuina or gua sha, and access to local points not used in the group setting (e.g. on the back). They allow extra time for us to do additional assessment (e.g. abdominal palpation), clarify our diagnosis, and explain what we are doing. They are also an option for people with acute or time senstive concerns when the community shifts are full.

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nada SESSIONS


The NADA protocol is a standardized auricular (ear) acupuncture treatment that involves the placement of up to five small acupuncture needles at specific points on each ear. The calming effect of the NADA protocol is not only beneficial for regulating the nervous system but is also good for general wellbeing, including pain management. 

  • What is the history of NADA?

    NADA was originally developed  by Mutulu Shakur in the 1970s at the Lincoln Detox Center in the Bronx for the treatment of substance use disorders and is now widely used in withdrawal management programs all of the the world. NADA has also been utilized in the military and by disaster relief organisations, such as Acupuncturists Without Borders in the prevention and treatment of PTSD. Given it's effectiveness for treating a wide range of conditions, the protocol has been adapted for use in a variety of community health settings to support stress relief, mental health, addiction recovery and pain mangement.

  • How is a NADA circle different than a regular community acupuncture session?

    Everyone receives the same set of ear points with minimal (or no) discussion of health concerns. Everyone arrives and starts their treatment at the same time, sitting quietly together for 30-40 minutes.

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virtual support


We offer online appointments to supplement and streamline our in-clinic work.

  • Why should you choose to book a virtual session?

    Online consultations are where we can discuss your health goals, assess your individual situation, and map out a treatment plan. It might include suggestions for home care such as acupressure, breathing exercises or Qi Gong (pronounced 'chee-gung') and using food and culinary herbs as medicine.

    Online is also where we will periodically discuss your response to your treatment plan, and whether we need to adjust it.

OUR FEES

Our community acupuncture visits are priced on a sliding scale. When booking an appointment, please choose between the standard or sustainer rate. Your choice doesn't affect the treatment you get, the number of needles or the duration. We will not question your decision but encourage you to pay according to your finacial ability.

We do not receive any subsidies or grants. Treatment fees pay our rent and other overheads as well as fair wages for our acupuncturists. The lower fees that we offer for community acupuncture are made possible by the group setting, and by our extensive experience in streamlining systems so that we can work efficiently in the clinic. We have never advertised, but if you know someone who could benefit from acupuncture, please spread the word!

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Receipts


Treatment receipts, which can be submited for insurance reimbursement** are emailed after your treatment and can be accessed online via your booking account.

**your plan must cover acupuncture services provided by practioners registered with the CTCMPAO.

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missed appointments


Your appointment time is reserved just for you. A late cancellation or missed visit leaves a hole in the therapists' day that could have been filled by another patient and impacts the clinic financially. As such, we require 48 hours notice for any cancellations or changes to your appointment. If you are within the late cancel period, please EMAIL to cancel when possible.

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HEALTH & SAFETY AT TOCA

ToCA follows best practices for acupuncture needle safety and related procedures in accordance with our regulatory body (CTCMPAO). Since the start of the pandemic, we have implemented additional safety protocols to keep our patients and practitioners healthy and ensure that we can keep the clinic open.

  • What procedures and protocols do we implement at ToCA to keep everyone safe and healthy?
    • single use needles and clean needle technique protocols

    • dedicated time spent disinfecting chairs, bolsters, surfaces between patients

    • self-screening for acute, infectious illness symptoms before coming into the clinic

    • hepa air filters to improve air quality and circulation

    • well-fitted medical masks worn when necessary; reciprocal masking when requested

    • online services for those who can't or prefer not to come in for acupuncture

OUR TEAM

Our team of acupuncturists (or acupunks, as we like to call ourselves in the community acupuncture scene) practice acupuncture from a trauma informed, queer and trans friendly perspective. We do our best to be sensitive to all the intersections of our patients' identities. We aim to educate ourselves and are also open to the fact that we all face different levels of privilege, and welcome all feedback on how we can do better.

Part of creating accessibility means that our practitioners work together as a team. We aim to provide continuity of care for our patients so they can confidently see any acupuncturist, as often as needed, and at the times that work for them.

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NAOMI FRANK, R.TCMP


(SHE/HER)

Receiving acupuncture while living and working in Hong Kong is how I met the wonderful world of Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM). It was soon clear that this was a calling. Graduating in 2000, it was my encounter with the community acupuncture model a few years later which ignited my practice. Making acupuncture widely available has been a driving force in my work. Years of holding space in community clinics have given me an infinite awe for our bodies’ ability to heal, particularly when assisted by a few well-placed needles and a safe environment.

To access this innate ability to self-regulate, the first (and ongoing) step that is needed is to get out of our head and into our body. As a person who re-learns that lesson frequently, I bring my own mindfulness practice to clinic. I often see my job as helping patients to befriend and trust their bodies, whatever their health concerns.

Recently I’ve fallen back in love with the deep study of Classical Chinese herbalism and am evolving a parallel practice to offer this powerful modality to ToCA patients. Like acupuncture, it is a complete system that treats people, not diseases. And like acupuncture, it helps open a dialogue with our bodies as we find our own version of health.

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BRENNA LEWIS, R.AC


(SHE/HER)

My introduction to traditional medicine started when exploring ways to manage the stress of completing a graduate degree in civil engineering. My personal interest quickly turned academic and I began researching how to better integrate Community Supported Medicine (CSM) into our neighborhoods. This inspired me to study and practice acupuncture and herbal medicine in a way that is affordable and community-driven. I was lucky to meet Naomi while starting my practice in 2009 and didn't think twice about collaborating on a dedicated community acupuncture clinic.

I welcome treating a variety of health concerns, but the most common things I see are often related to ongoing stress. I often draw from my experience teaching Yin Yoga to integrate passive movement and acupressure into my treatment plans.  

Having pursued additional training in fertility and pregnancy support, I am dedicated to offering reassurance, perspective, and comfort throughout the pre-conception, pregnancy, birthing and postpartum journey. As a parent of two young children I am also exploring what we can do in the clinic and at home using kid friendly (non-needle) techniques to treat common childhood concerns.

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JONATHAN ADJEMIAN, R.AC


(HE/HIM)

I began studying Chinese Medicine in 2020, after working as a musician and an academic translator and editor. My roots are in DIY and community spaces, and I’m thrilled to be joining ToCA, supporting the project of making acupuncture available and accessible.

I was drawn to acupuncture initially by the way it is able to see and treat physical, emotional, and mental aspects as part of an interconnected whole. While working to relieve pain, manage chronic illness, or ease complex times and transitions, it can also help us to recognize and shift underlying tensions and imbalances. I aim to meet each patients as a complex and changing individual, and to provide a space that is supportive and respectful.

As a lifelong student and a lover of nature, my practice is inspired by engagement with the classics and daily qigong practice. When I’m not hanging out with my toddler, my partner, or Lake Ontario, I’m working to incorporate body and energy work into my practice, and to learn more from this medicine’s long and diverse history.

The land on which ToCA operates has for thousands of years been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Anishinaabe peoples, including the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Today, this meeting place is still home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island. The colonial processes by which we came to live on this land were and are deeply unjust, and continue to cause great harm to the original people of this land. We at ToCA endeavour to be accountable to this reality, in ways that go beyond an apology or a written acknowledgement. We also seek to be guided by the traditions around healing that are passed down by Indigenous elders, and to respect the concepts and beliefs about the land and the water which grow and sustain the food and herbs that are used in traditional medicine. We welcome feedback on our efforts.