As a patient, you should be aware that on April 1st, 2013, The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care made Acupuncture a regulated profession in Ontario. Not just anybody can call themselves an acupuncturist anymore. In order to needle, one must go through a series of testing and background checks. This ensures patient safety. Only Registered Acupuncturists R.Ac’s and a few other select health professionals can submit receipts to clients for health insurance coverage. Much like other professionals (for example RMT’s, Chiropractors and medical doctors), Registered Acupuncturists are must answer to the CTCMPAO. This is the college/governing body which dictates the laws and practice of Acupuncture in Ontario.

• Neck and shoulder pain
• WhiplashNumbness/Cramps
• Thyroid Conditions
• Low Back pain
• Sciatica
• Piriformis Syndrome
• Migraines and Headaches
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Injuries/Trauma
• Insomnia
• Digestive Disorders- Crohn’s, IBS, Constipation, Diarrhea, Bloating
• Depression
• Nervous/Emotional Tension
• Pregnancy- nausea, sore back legs, (eases nervous tension, smooth delivery, prepares body for delivery & breach position)

• APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING/RESCHEDULING & CANCELLING IS SELF SERVE AND DONE ONLINE: Although we welcome telephone/email inquiries regarding questions related to the service, we ask that all scheduling related matters be done by patients on our VERY user-friendly booking site.
• FILL OUT THE INTAKE FORM ONLINE: We strongly suggest you fill out the health intake form in advance online of your first appointment. If you are not able to fill out the form in advance please let your therapist know and arrive 15 minutes early so we can have a device ready for you in the waiting area. Keep in mind, because we do not have a receptionist and the door is often locked until right before your session time, we cannot guarantee you will receive your full amount of treatment time if you fill out the intake form at the clinic.
• THOROUGHLY FILL OUT INTAKE FORM: Thoroughness in completing the intake form is required. It helps outline treatment area of focus and indicates areas of caution.
• BE ADVISED FIRST SESSION TIME IS SHORTENED: Please be advised that the beginning of the initial treatment is reserved for patient intake. This time is embedded into the first treatment to allow for an accurate and custom tailored treatment protocol. Actual treatment time for the first session is shortened by up to 20 minutes. All first-time appointments require a minimum of 1 hour to ensure proper intake.
• WE HAVE A STRICT 24-HOUR CANCELLATION POLICY: Full treatment price will be charged without exception either by extracting a treatment from a pre-paid package or by an additional charge.
• BRING A PAIR OF SHORTS: Most of the time, acupuncture won’t require you to fully disrobing. Shorts ensure privacy and comfort for both patient and therapist. Please bring a pair of shorts that you can wear over your underwear to every appointment.
• BE ON TIME: Out of consideration for clients after you, treatments will not be extended beyond your scheduled time. Your punctuality is appreciated.
• SORRY, WE DON’T ACCEPT CHEQUE OR E-TRANSFER PAYMENTS
• REMOVE YOUR SHOES BEFORE ENTERING TREATMENT ROOM: Although you are welcome to wear your shoes in the hallways/washroom, kindly take off your footwear before entering the treatment space.
• REMOVE MAKE UP BEFORE COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE APPOINTMENTS

How we’re keeping you safe in clinic:

• Symptom screening procedures (active & passive)
• Frequent handwashing/Federally approved hand sanitizer available for staff and patients
• All staff wearing masks
• Increased surface cleaning and disinfection after each patient visit in treatment rooms
• Patients required to wear masks; available for purchase (at minimal cost)
• All visitors must wash their hands upon entering clinic
• Waiting area chairs will be distanced
• We are recommending patients, when possible to go straight in for your appointment to avoid gathering in the waiting area.
• No friends/family allowed to enter until further notice, (legal guardians and those supporting patients with a disability are permitted).

Disinfection and cleanliness have and will continue to be of utmost important to our team. We have taken extra precautions to ensure everyone’s safety.

• All Staff are wearing masks
• Disinfection wipe down of all contact surfaces including face cradles etc. during and in between appointments
• Extra space between wait room chairs to for added public distance protection while waiting or wrapping up appointments.
• To be honest, we’ve always had a high level of disinfection with wiping surfaces after each patient as part of our regular clinic hygiene routine. Nothing new there!

Mask policy

Wear a mask when in clinic and while receiving a treatment, with the exception of when you’re lying in face-down position at your therapist’s discretion. We realize this is a big ask. This is for everyone’s protection due to the close contact nature of our service. If it doesn’t work for you, we totally understand and hope to see you at a later date!

BYOM (Bring your own mask) or buy one from us!

If you don’t have a mask or forget, no worries; one can be purchased for $1.00.

Screening before coming to the Center

As a Regulated Health Care Providers, we have been mandated by the Ministry of Health to screen everyone before they are permitted to enter the clinic. We are obligated to refuse treatment and advise for COVID-19 testing if you answer YES to any of the following questions/symptoms:

1. Have you had close contact with anyone with acute respiratory
2. Illness or travelled outside of Ontario in the past 14 days?
3. Do you have a confirmed case of COVID-19 or had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19?
4. Do you have a recent onset of any of the following symptoms?

• Fever
• New onset of cough
• Worsening chronic cough
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing
• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Decrease or loss of sense of taste or smell
• Chills
• Headaches
• Unexplained fatigue/malaise/muscle aches (myalgias)
• Nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Runny nose/nasal congestion without other known cause

All therapists are Registered Acupuncturists (R. Ac). If your plan includes acupuncture, our treatments are most likely but not nececessarily covered. Each insurance plan is different. It is your responsibilty to find out from your organization or insurance provider if our services are covered before booking an appointment. 

On April 1st, 2013, The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care passed a bill in which acupuncture became recognized as a Regulated health profession in Ontario.

In order to legally provide acupuncture in Ontario, R. Ac’s must go through a process of exams, background checks in addition to an extensive Chinese Medicine post secondary education. This ensures patient safety.

All therapists working at Acupuncture Center Toronto are members in good standing with the CTCMPAO. The CTCMPAO is the governing body which dictates the laws and practice of acupuncture in Ontario. Each practitioner carries a designation number required to practice in the province.

No, sorry we don’t offer “massage only” treatments. If massage is incorporated into a treatment, it will be brief and combined with needling and our other core services.

WE ARE A RECEPTION-LESS CLINIC. All your service needs will still be attended to because your therapist is your go-to contact once you’ve made an appointment. We are located within a larger co-op wellness building where there is no front desk staff or receptionist. Please click here to learn our clinic policies.

It’s important to understand how we communicate with first time and returning patients:

1. Online scheduling only- Bookings are self-serve and done online. We do not schedule/reschedule or cancel appointments over the phone. We do however welcome new patient phone inquires for treatment related questions/concerns or if you have any technical issues with our online booking.
2. Your therapist is your point-of-contact. After you have made an appointment, your therapist becomes your point for all inquiries. Their contact information is available on all booking related emails after you have made your first appointment.