Condition Guide
This guide explains common concerns we see at SUUM Clinic: the symptoms people usually notice, how we approach care with acupuncture and osteopathic manual practice, and what you can expect from treatment. Select a topic below to expand the details.
Neck, Back & Spine
Neck, back and spine pain are among the most common reasons people visit SUUM Clinic. Care combines acupuncture and osteopathic manual practice, adjusted to your history and to how your pain behaves. SYMPTOMS • Neck stiffness or pain, often linked to desk work and screen use • Low back pain, sudden or long-standing • Sciatica: pain, tingling or numbness travelling into the buttock or leg • Disc-related pain • Whiplash and neck pain after a car accident • Tension between the shoulder blades, or headaches that start in the neck OUR APPROACH • Assessment: your history, posture, movement, and what makes the pain better or worse, together with a TCM assessment including pulse and tongue. • Acupuncture: to ease pain and muscle guarding. Electro-acupuncture or cupping may be added where suitable. • Osteopathic manual practice: gentle hands-on techniques for joints, muscles, and connective tissue to improve mobility. • Self-care: simple exercises and posture or workstation adjustments to support progress between visits. WHAT TO EXPECT • Your first visit includes a full assessment and treatment. • Many people notice some change within the first few sessions. A common starting plan is 4 to 6 sessions over 3 to 6 weeks, followed by a review of your progress. Responses vary from person to person. • Mild soreness or tiredness for a day or two after treatment can be normal. • If your pain follows a car accident, acupuncture may be covered through ICBC. Please ask us when booking. • Please seek medical care promptly if you have loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin, worsening leg weakness, fever, or unexplained weight loss. We will refer you to your physician whenever symptoms need medical assessment.
Shoulder, Arm & Hand
Shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand problems often build up from repetitive use or posture. We look at the whole chain from the neck to the fingertips, not only the painful spot. SYMPTOMS • Frozen shoulder: stiffness and pain that limit raising or rotating the arm • Rotator cuff strain and pain when lifting or reaching • Tennis elbow or golfer's elbow • Carpal tunnel symptoms: numbness or tingling in the hand, often worse at night • Repetitive strain of the wrist and hand from computer, tool or instrument use OUR APPROACH • Assessment: the neck, shoulder blade, elbow and wrist, since arm pain often involves more than one area. • Acupuncture: local and distal points to ease pain and muscle tension. Electro-acupuncture may be added where suitable. • Osteopathic manual practice: gentle mobilization of the shoulder, elbow and wrist, and soft-tissue work along the arm. • Self-care: graded movement, load management and ergonomic advice. WHAT TO EXPECT • Tendon and joint problems usually settle gradually. Frozen shoulder in particular can take several months, and treatment aims to ease pain and support mobility along the way. • We usually review your progress after 4 to 6 sessions. Responses vary from person to person. • If numbness, weakness or loss of grip is getting worse, we will recommend a medical assessment.
Hip, Knee & Sports Injuries
Hip and knee pain and sports injuries are treated with attention to how you move, train and load the joint, with the aim of a safe return to activity. SYMPTOMS • Hip or knee pain with walking, stairs or sitting • Pain and stiffness related to osteoarthritis • Sprains and strains, including ankle sprains • Tendon problems such as patellar or Achilles tendon pain • Lingering pain or tightness after a sports injury OUR APPROACH • Assessment: the hip, knee, ankle and lower back, along with how you walk and move. • Acupuncture: to ease pain and muscle tension. Electro-acupuncture or cupping may be added where suitable. • Osteopathic manual practice: to improve joint mobility and ease soft-tissue tension around the injured area. • Self-care: a graded return-to-activity plan and simple strengthening exercises. WHAT TO EXPECT • Recent sprains and strains often improve over several weeks. Long-standing joint pain usually needs a longer, steadier plan. • Treatment can be combined with physiotherapy or your exercise program. • Please seek urgent care if a joint is hot and very swollen, you cannot bear weight, or you have a fever.
Headache, Jaw & Face
Headaches, jaw tension and facial nerve conditions often involve the neck, posture, stress and sleep. Care looks at these together rather than the head alone. SYMPTOMS • Tension-type headache: band-like pressure around the head • Migraine, with or without aura • TMJ dysfunction: jaw pain, clicking, clenching or grinding • Facial nerve conditions such as Bell's palsy OUR APPROACH • Assessment: your headache pattern and triggers, neck and jaw function, and a TCM pattern assessment including sleep, digestion and stress. • Acupuncture: to help reduce how often and how strongly headaches occur, and to ease jaw and neck tension. • Osteopathic manual practice: gentle techniques for the neck, upper back and jaw. • Self-care: posture and jaw-relaxation strategies and lifestyle guidance. Herbal medicine may be considered where appropriate. WHAT TO EXPECT • For headache and migraine, we often track how frequent and intense they are over 6 to 8 weeks to see how you respond. • For Bell's palsy, starting care early, alongside your medical treatment, is generally recommended. • Please seek emergency care for a sudden, severe headache, or a headache with weakness, confusion, changes in vision or speech, or after a head injury.
Nerve & Neurological Recovery
Supportive care for nerve-related conditions and neurological recovery, provided alongside the care of your medical team. SYMPTOMS • Peripheral neuropathy: numbness, tingling or burning in the hands or feet • Nerve pain after shingles (post-herpetic neuralgia) • Recovery after a stroke: weakness, stiffness or reduced coordination • Post-concussion symptoms such as headache, dizziness or fatigue • Tremor OUR APPROACH • Assessment: a review of your diagnosis, medical history and current treatment, so that our care fits your medical team's plan. • Acupuncture: including electro-acupuncture or scalp acupuncture where suitable, to support comfort and function. • Osteopathic manual practice: gentle techniques for related muscle tension and stiffness. • Self-care: guidance that supports your rehabilitation program. WHAT TO EXPECT • Neurological recovery is gradual. We set realistic, individual goals and review them regularly. • Our care supports, and does not replace, medical and rehabilitation treatment. • Call 9-1-1 immediately for sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, or difficulty speaking.
Women's Health
Menstrual, hormonal and menopause-related concerns are approached through a TCM pattern assessment, combining acupuncture, individualized herbal medicine and lifestyle guidance. SYMPTOMS • Painful, heavy or irregular periods • PMS: mood changes, bloating or breast tenderness before a period • Symptoms related to PCOS, endometriosis or fibroids • Perimenopause and menopause: hot flashes, night sweats, poor sleep and mood changes OUR APPROACH • Assessment: a detailed menstrual and health history, with a TCM assessment of pulse, tongue and overall pattern. • Acupuncture: often timed to the phases of your cycle. • Herbal medicine: individualized Chinese herbal formulas where appropriate, checked against any medications you take. • Self-care: guidance on diet, sleep and stress, and gentle manual therapy for pelvic and low back tension where suitable. WHAT TO EXPECT • Because the cycle is monthly, progress is usually reviewed over 2 to 3 cycles. • We work alongside your physician or gynecologist, particularly for PCOS, endometriosis and fibroids. • Please see your doctor promptly for very heavy bleeding, bleeding after menopause, or sudden severe pelvic pain.
Fertility, Pregnancy & Postpartum
Support for natural fertility and IVF for women and men, for comfort during pregnancy, and for recovery after childbirth. SYMPTOMS AND CONCERNS • Difficulty conceiving or irregular cycles • Preparing for IVF, IUI or other fertility treatment • Male fertility concerns such as sperm quality • Pregnancy-related nausea, back or pelvic pain, and fatigue • Fatigue, pain and recovery after childbirth OUR APPROACH • Assessment: cycle history, test results and overall health, for both partners where relevant. • Acupuncture: can be coordinated with your IVF or IUI schedule. • Herbal medicine: individualized formulas before conception where appropriate. Herbs are used with great caution during pregnancy. • Self-care: gentle manual therapy and guidance on sleep, diet and stress. WHAT TO EXPECT • Fertility support is usually planned over about 3 months, the time it takes for eggs and sperm to develop. • During pregnancy, techniques and points are adapted for safety. • We coordinate with your fertility clinic, physician or midwife.
Stress, Mood & Sleep
Stress, anxiety, low mood and sleep problems are approached as part of the whole picture, including digestion, hormones and daily habits. SYMPTOMS • Ongoing stress, tension or anxiety • Low mood or low motivation • Difficulty falling or staying asleep, or unrefreshing sleep • Ongoing fatigue • Physical signs of stress such as headaches, digestive upset or tight neck and shoulders OUR APPROACH • Assessment: sleep, energy, digestion, stress and lifestyle, together with a TCM pattern assessment. • Acupuncture: to support relaxation and the regulation of the nervous system. • Herbal medicine: where appropriate, checked against any medications you take. • Self-care: practical guidance on sleep routine, breathing and daily rhythm, and gentle manual therapy for physical tension. WHAT TO EXPECT • Many people find sessions relaxing. Changes in sleep and stress are usually reviewed over several weeks. • Our care can be used alongside counselling or medical treatment, not instead of it. • If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please call or text 9-8-8 or call 9-1-1 right away.
Digestive Health
Digestive concerns are often linked with stress, diet and daily rhythm. Care combines acupuncture, herbal medicine and practical diet guidance. SYMPTOMS • IBS: bloating, cramping, constipation or loose stools • Acid reflux and heartburn • Gastritis and indigestion • Bloating and changes in appetite • Symptoms that get worse with stress OUR APPROACH • Assessment: your symptoms, diet, bowel habits and stress, together with a TCM pattern assessment. • Acupuncture: to support digestive function and the connection between the gut and stress. • Herbal medicine: individualized formulas where appropriate. • Self-care: diet and eating-habit guidance, and gentle abdominal manual techniques where suitable. WHAT TO EXPECT • Progress is usually reviewed after 4 to 6 sessions, together with changes in diet and routine. • We work alongside your physician, especially when tests are needed. • Please see your doctor promptly for blood in the stool, black stools, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing or ongoing vomiting.
Allergy, Skin & Immune Support
Support for allergies, chronic skin conditions and frequent illness, as well as supportive care during and after cancer treatment. SYMPTOMS • Allergic rhinitis and sinus congestion • Chronic cough • Frequent colds or slow recovery from illness • Eczema, hives and acne • Side effects during or after cancer treatment, such as fatigue, nausea or neuropathy OUR APPROACH • Assessment: triggers, seasonal patterns, diet and overall health, together with a TCM pattern assessment. • Acupuncture: to support symptom relief and overall resilience. • Herbal medicine: individualized formulas where appropriate. During cancer treatment, herbs are only considered in coordination with your oncology team. • Self-care: diet and lifestyle guidance. WHAT TO EXPECT • Seasonal allergies are often best supported by starting before the season. Skin conditions usually need several weeks to months. • Supportive cancer care is provided alongside, never instead of, your oncology treatment. • Please seek urgent care for difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or a fever during chemotherapy.
This guide is for general information only. It is not a promise of results and does not replace medical diagnosis. Individual responses to treatment vary. If your concern is not listed, or you are unsure whether our care is right for you, please contact us before booking. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are provided by John Kim, Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCM.P), registered in British Columbia. Osteopathic Manual Practice is not a regulated health profession in BC. If you have a medical condition, please continue to follow the advice of your physician.