Acupuncture FAQ

Many healthcare practitioners, such as chiropractors, massage therapists, and physiotherapists, perform acupuncture only as an adjunct therapy to their primary therapies. At North York Acupuncture & Physiotherapy, acupuncture is our primary form of treatment. While most of these healthcare professionals have taken only weekend or intense acupuncture courses (220 hours), May Huang received 5 years (5,400 hours) of formal acupuncture training at Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. She has been practicing acupuncture for more than 25 years in China and in Canada. Moreover, Amy Chen is a physiotherapist and an acupuncturist. Having both a Western biomedical and a traditional Chinese medical background allows her treatment plan to be comprehensive and effective. 

  • Comprehensive Service: Your treatment is tailored to your needs. Many acupuncturists use the same protocols on all of their patients. At North York Acupuncture & Physiotherapy, your treatment reflects your unique condition. In addition to acupuncture, we also give nutritional and lifestyle counseling during your treatment. We will provide a comprehensive diagnosis and educate you on your condition and its prognosis based on Chinese medical principles.
  • Safety: All of our herbs are GMP certified, safe, and effective.
  • Flexibility: Evening and weekend appointments are available.

Some people may assume that acupuncture is very painful. That's a misconception. The needles used for acupuncture are solid and extremely fine - they are much thinner than those used for injections and blood drawing. When the needles reach the acupuncture points, there is a sensation that could be described as tingling or numbing, rather than "painful." Sometimes the sensation may transfer to other parts of the body.

One of the striking advantages of acupuncture is that there are rarely any side effects. Only new, sterile needles are used for treatments. The needles are used only once and then are disposed of. Therefore, there is no risk infection of blood-borne diseases, such as AIDS and hepatitis.


There are many clinics that will provide other forms of therapy (i.e., massage therapy, chiropractic, etc). We suggest that you search for a clinic that meets your needs.


WHO stated that numerous laboratory studies have provided further evidence of the efficacy of acupuncture. Many acupuncture patients utilize this method of treatment because "its therapeutic actions are achieved by mobilization of [an] organism's own potential; acupuncture does not produce adverse effects, as do many drug therapies."

Furthermore stating: "Generally speaking, acupuncture treatment is safe if it is performed properly by a well-trained practitioner. Unlike many drugs, it is non-toxic, and adverse reaction is minimal."


Tongue diagnosis is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Please refrain from brushing your tongue before an appointment.

Eat a snack an hour before your appointment so your blood sugar level is regular. 

Wear loose-fitting clothes that is convenience for accessing to areas (such as arms, legs, abdomen, and back) of the body for treatments.


Occasionally, the original symptoms of your condition may worsen for the first few days following your initial treatment; this is not uncommon. However, it is important for you to inform your practitioner of this reaction at your next visit. Appetite, sleep, bowel, or emotional patterns may also change. This should not be a cause for concern, as a change in patterns are a sign that the treatment is working. The most common side effect is drowsiness as a symptom of deep relaxation during and after your treatment.


The total number of treatments required depends upon the conditions of the symptoms. For acute conditions, 80% of patients can see some improvement after 1-2 treatments; after 4-6 treatments, they will notice significant changes in their conditions.

For complex or prolonged conditions, more treatments may be recommended. It usually takes 4-6 sessions to see the improvements, and It may take 2-3 months for a chronic condition to be completely cured.

May Huang is licensed to prescribe Chinese Herbal Medicine to her clients, but she primarily uses Chinese acupuncture to treat her clients' ailments. Occasionally, she may prescribe herbs to complement her acupuncture treatment, if needed. Our clinic does not specializes in using Chinese Herbal Medicine as our primary form of treatment for our clients.

Physiotherapy FAQ

Our physiotherapist, Amy Chen, will use acupuncture, home exercise program, and patient education within her patients' treatment. Acupuncture will improve blood flow, release pain-killers, and speed up healing. Home exercise program will strengthen weak muscles and lengthen tight muscles. Patient education will educate patients about the cause of the injury, what activities to avoid or what activities are beneficial to their recovery. 

People are usually scared of things that are unfamiliar. Acupuncture is a safe and effective form of treatment for many conditions. If you are interested, we can send you an orientation video educating you about acupuncture.


Unsure if physiotherapy is the right fit for your condition? Send us an email and we will respond within 24 hours. If your condition is related to muscles and bones, it is very likely that our treatment will help you.


Sorry, we do not use these machines. Our physiotherapist, Amy Chen, will use acupuncture, home exercise program, and patient education within her patients' treatment.


Please check if you have extended health benefits by consulting with either your Extended Health Manual, or speak with your Human Resource department.


There is no need to have a physician’s referral to see a physiotherapist. However, some extended health benefits require a physician’s referral in order to get treatment costs reimbursed. Please check your Extended Health Manual.


Initial Assessments are 60-90 minutes and follow up treatments are 45-60 minutes. All appointment time are one on one with your physiotherapist.  Our physiotherapist, Amy Chen, will take a comprehensive assessment of your condition, and formulate a treatment plan for you.


On your first visit, our physiotherapist, Amy Chen, will talk to you about your condition, medical history, and perform a thorough physical assessment. Your first visit will also include treatment such as acupuncture, exercise prescription, and patient education.


Please bring a set of clothes that you can change into - shorts and a t-shirt is preferred. Please bring any test reports or other medical documentation you feel may be helpful in your treatment planning to your appointments.


If availability allows, patients are generally able to be seen within 48 hours of calling to book their first appointment. However, it is common for the schedule is fully booked. It is safe to book a week or two in advance to secure your spot. In the event there are no availabilities, please put yourself on the waiting list on Janeapp (our online booking page).