Background:
Across Canada and around the world Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (TCM&A) is recognized as a proven front-line healthcare option in diagnosing and prescribing treatments for a wide range of health and injury related conditions.
More than 2,800 Ontario-based TCM&A practitioners annually manage upward of 600,000 patient visits, and as many as eight recognized learning institutions are training TCM&A professionals within Ontario.
Including the services of Registered Acupuncturists (R.Ac.’s) and Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners (R.TCMP’s), TCM&A is one of 27 Registered Health Professions in Ontario.
From treatment of mental health and addictions disorders to relief from chronic pain, injuries and illnesses, R.Ac. and R.TCMP practitioners can be easily integrated into multidisciplinary clinics and delivered as part of collaborative care plans alongside other healthcare providers including medical doctors and specialists, physiotherapists, kinesiologists, occupational therapists and mental health practitioners.
The body of evidence supporting the effectiveness of TCM&A continues to grow. Most recently an August 2025 peer reviewed study published in the European Society of Medicine TCM and Acupuncture has documented the positive effects of treatment for back pain, headache, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, neck and shoulder pain, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, asthma, management of depression, anxiety, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder and recovery from substance use (abuse) disorders. Numerous other studies, including those undertaken by the World Health Organization (WHO), showed nearly identical results that include benefits in athletic training and injury recovery, ergonomics and job-related injuries, cardiac and stroke rehabilitation.
The Challenge:
Access to TCM&A healthcare, delivered by registered practitioners is limited in Ontario.
Aside from private clinics, only a handful of hospitals offer TCM&A, but, for individuals who do not have third party insurance, or who cannot afford to pay for TCM&A healthcare, the cost is often prohibitive. The unfortunate result is that those who are most vulnerable and at risk for health deterioration are often the ones with the least access to TCM&A.
The demand for access to TCM&A services continues to be high, and it is necessary to look at opportunities for increasing access as a strategy to improve health outcomes. To do so, efforts must be undertaken to locate R.Ac. and R.TCMP disciplines within primary care locations and within interdisciplinary care teams to address both wellness and rehabilitation as part of a holistic model.
Opportunity:
For all hospitals and clinics, providing access to comprehensive primary health care services is a key priority. Currently, rehabilitation teams include physiotherapy, occupational therapy and kinesiology, and therapy teams include social workers and therapists. As our government seeks to expand access to healthcare, including community based care, there exists the opportunity to integrate Registered Acupuncturists and Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners into healthcare teams.
Supporting this recommendation, it is noteworthy that, through funding from the Federal government, the first edition of A Compendium of Roles in Team-Based Primary Care was released. The second edition is pending with the inclusion of regulated health professions of Registered Acupuncturist, Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
TCMO worked with Associations representing Registered Acupuncturists, Doctors of Acupuncture, Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners, and Doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as Educational Institutions, to write and edit two entries into the Compendium that are focused on the benefits and contributions of our TCM profession in the realm of Primary Health Care in Canada. The compendium submission is available upon request.
For more information, please contact:
Katrina Dollano, Vice-President, TCMO: katrina.dollano@tcmo.ca
Heather Kenny, President, TCMO: heather.kenny@tcmo.ca