Acupuncture is generally considered to be a low-pain or relatively painless procedure. However, individual experiences may vary. The sensation felt during acupuncture can range from no sensation at all to a mild tingling, dull ache, or a temporary prick or pinch as the needles are inserted. The needles used in acupuncture are extremely thin, much thinner than needles used for injections or blood draws. They are typically inserted shallowly into the skin, and the depth varies depending on the specific points being targeted. Most people find the process to be comfortable and even relaxing.

Yes, all our acupuncturists are licensed by the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO). The CTCMPAO sets standards for education, professional conduct, and ethical practice, ensuring that registered acupuncturists meet the necessary qualifications and adhere to professional standards.

Determining if acupuncture is working can be subjective, but a few indicators can suggest its effectiveness. If pain relief was the goal, you should see a reduction in pain intensity, frequency, or duration. You should see improvements in the targeted symptoms or conditions, such as better digestion, reduced anxiety, or improved sleep. You should notice improvements in your overall well-being, including relaxation, enhanced mood, increased energy levels, or a sense of balance. Lastly, most people notice changes in bodily functions related to the condition being treated, like regular menstrual cycles or improved digestion. Some conditions take more time than others to be impacted by acupuncture. Your acupuncturist will make recommendations on a treatment plan based on their experience treating your particular condition(s).

While acupuncture is generally safe, there are some individuals who should exercise caution or avoid acupuncture. People with bleeding disorders or those taking blood-thinning medications may have an increased risk of bleeding or bruising from needle insertion. Although needles are never used more than once, out of abundance of caution individuals with compromised immune systems should approach acupuncture with caution due to the risk of infection. If you have any concerns, please discuss those with your acupuncturist prior to treatment.

Generally, the answer is no. If our acupuncturists are licensed by College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO), it does not mean they are also licensed to provide registered massage therapy services. In order to provide registered massage therapy services, the practitioner would need to hold a dual license, in that they would also need to be licensed by the The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO). Several of our practitioners at Shoreside do have dual licenses. When making an appointment with our office, please indicate the services you require, so that our reception staff can match you with the right practitioner for your needs.

Yes, acupuncture has been recognized as an effective treatment by various medical organizations and is widely practiced worldwide. In fact, in 1997, the National Institute of Health released a statement that acupuncture can be effective in treating certain conditions. The acupuncturists at Shoreside have been providing positive results over thousands of acupuncture treatments for various health concerns.

Acupuncture can be used to treat many conditions. In fact, the World Health Organization released a 2019 report that lists over 100 medical conditions that acupuncture has been effective in treating. These include many types of pain and injuries, stress and anxiety, infertility and digestive issues. Please call our office to discuss whether your specific health concern can be treated using acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. It aims to restore balance and promote well-being by regulating the flow of energy (qi) along meridians. Acupuncture works by stimulating the nervous system and promoting natural painkillers and blood flow.

As we operate a busy clinic, we ask that you arrive 5-10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. This ensures we can start your appointment on time and not impact the start time of patients we are treating after you.

That depends on a number of factors. For instance, weekend and evening appointments are often harder to obtain and thus it is advisable to book those well in advance. Also, certain practitioners may have a less flexible schedule or a busier practice, and therefore you might want to book in advance to ensure you get the practitioners and the times you want.

No. We accept cash, debit, and etransfer.

We think we are unique. At Shoreside, we have tried our best to create something different. A clinic environment that will help reduce your stress and anxiety, and ultimately lead to a more effective treatment plan. ​ So what makes our clinic different from some other acupuncture clinics? We use only cloth bedding on our treatment tables. Some acupuncture clinics use paper. We launder the bedding after each patient visit using our on-site laundry facilities. Each patient is treated in a private treatment room. We don’t use curtains or temporary dividers or have more than one treatment table per room. We want you to relax during your treatment, so each room has relaxing music playing in the background. If you need to wait in our waiting room, we think we have created a reception area that is bright, open, warm, relaxing and modern to reduce your stress before your treatment. Unlike other clinics, we have several registered massage therapists and registered acupuncturists to serve you with convenient office hours.

They could be. Treatments performed by registered massage therapists or registered acupuncturists are normally covered by your health insurance provider. You should contact them to determine your annual spending limits for each type of practitioner to ensure coverage. We also have therapists that are not registered, such as Tui Na therapists. The service they provide is often not covered by insurance.

No, at this time we are not able to service WSIB patients.

There is free parking in the lot behind the clinic. There is also free parking on the side streets near the clinic(but be sure you are parking in a designated parking area to avoid a ticket). There is also paid parking on Lakeshore Road in front of the clinic at a reasonable cost.

No, we do not charge extra for cupping therapy like many other acupuncture clinics do. During the treatment time that you have scheduled and for one fee, we will provide a combination of the most effective treatment modalities, which includes acupuncture, but may also include cupping therapy or Tui Na therapy in combination with acupuncture.

We do not support direct billing to insurance providers. After you have completed and paid for your treatment, we will prepare a signed receipt which you can then submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. For your convenience, we can also email the receipt to you.