FAQ –

There is no minimum or maximum age restriction when it comes to treatments at Zen & Tonic. We will take age and current health status into consideration to tailor the treatment and plan to meet the specific needs of the individual.

Yes of course! There are many precautions taken with pregnant patients. In acupuncture, for example, certain areas will not be needled due to contraindications. Certain areas/methods will change over time with the patient, and the progression of the pregnancy. In herbal medicine and holistic nutrition there are many advantages to expecting mothers. Your protocol will be personalized specifically to your needs and the fetus as it develops. Thus be sure to advise your practitioner as soon as possible.

If possible, please try to wear comfortable clothing for your appointment and bring a pair of shorts and or tank. Depending on your treatment needs, you may remain fully clothed during your treatment or you may need to bear you legs, back, torso, etc.  Linens are always available if you would prefer to partially disrobe or if your treatment makes partial disrobing appropriate.

Please eat sensibly a few hours before your appointment and avoid caffeine. It is best to be neither hungry nor extremely full during your treatment as we want your body to feel calm and relaxed.

Unfortunately, not all services at Zen & Tonic can be claimed through your insurance. Many insurance plans offer coverage for acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment. Contact your insurance company directly to find out what your plan covers, and any limits to the number of treatments. Acupuncture may also be covered if you sustained a workplace injury or were injured in a motor vehicle accident.

Each person has a different recovery time, even those with the same issues. The number of sessions will vary and will eventually be re-evaluated.

Acupuncture can cause bruising after a treatment and may result in some tenderness. Generally, acupuncture is only dangerous when performed by someone who’s not adequately trained. In such a case, puncturing a lung causing pneumothorax is a risk. Only accept acupuncture treatments from trained professionals. This is great knowledge for you to have as you can request to see the needling technique if you’re worried. Muscle spasms occasionally occur, which isn’t a bad thing. Sometimes you want the stimulation, depending on the case. It only occurs if a nerve is stimulated, or the sinews of the muscles contract, which may be at first slightly uncomfortable, but is beneficial in the end.

Herbal medicine is not currently regulated in Canada. However, in Ontario, the OHA (Ontario Herbalists Association) has taken it upon themselves to govern working herbalists for the safety of the public and refer to members as Registered Herbalists. At Zen & Tonic our herbalist is part of the OHA.

As herbal medicine is not currently regulated, insurance companies unfortunately do not offer coverage.

This is dependant on which medications you are currently taken. For the most part, herbs are extremely safe but there are some known contraindications.  Please be sure to discuss all medications and supplements you are taking or have previously taken with the Herbalist. This is extremely important as some herbs can potentiate, negatively react with or nullify certain medications. Thus, a specific herbal formula will be created with this information in mind. It is advisable to let your medical doctor know the herbs you are taking. Do not self-medicate with herbs.

A Holistic Nutritionist’s goal is to instill balance in an individual’s life through, diet, exercise and lifestyle changes. They provide simple techniques to introduce a wholesome diet, full of nutritional foods, herbs and food treatments for chronic health conditions. After all, you are what you eat! Similar to Holistic Nutritionists, Dieticians are nutrition and food experts and access client needs. However, Dieticians generally follow the Canadian Food guide requirements and may not emphasize the connection between diet and disease as nutritionists do.