Clinic Blog

This is How You Fix Multiple Conditions – Toronto Acupuncture Clinic

Picture this: one day you wake up to discover your home has been flooded.   In a panic, you call your local plumber, Joe.   By the time Joe strolls in, you throw your arms up in the air and barely take a breath as you rant about your damaged walls, your ruined carpet, the irreparable dresser, spoiled clothing, etc.   So why am I asking you to imagine this nightmare?   Well, a flooded home is the perfect example of how problems can spread from one system to another.   So how do we fix it?   In this situation, what’s important is that we find the drain to the basement. We must know why it is plugged, and what happened to it.   Why is the drain important?   If the plumber can fix the drain, then even if there is a flood tomorrow, the water will eventually […]

Pain Relief Procedures: Blood spinning vs Wet cupping

Have you ever heard of blood spinning?   It’s a procedure that is now getting a lot of attention since famous professional athletes like Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant are known to be using it. It is commonly used to treat disorders like arthritis, tendonopathy and muscle pain.   So how exactly does the procedure work?   First, the blood is removed from the arm and it is put in a machine called a centrifuge where the blood is spun. The spinning separates the blood into 3 parts: plasma, red blood cells and a middle portion (less than 1%) called the buffer. The buffer is made up of white blood cells, platelets and other growth hormones.   This small white buffer plays a role in regeneration and repair. It is best known for its magical ability to stop blood clotting. The buffer is then re-injected into the slower-to-recover injuries.   […]

4 Things I Learned From Dissecting A Human Body

This summer, I dissected a 77-year old man.  I’m contributing to a neuro anatomical textbook by using real human specimens.   It was in a summer course called the The Complementary and Alternative Medicine Human Dissection Experience (CAM – HD Experience). It’s at Queens University and it is run by Craig Harness MSc, DO(Q).   This is an incredible self-guided program where you get 10 days of dissection!   Dissection is an amazing experience for any health care practitioner because it allows you to see the body for what it’s really like – and not just what you see in textbooks. Textbooks show bodies as if we were “perfect” on the inside.   Without actually seeing a body “in the flesh” you can never really grasp how complex the body truly is.   Think about it… flying a plane is not like using a flight simulator, is it?   So […]

What does a ’95 Corvette have to do with Integrated Health Care? By Samuel Lo

Do Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, and Osteopathy seem like jagged puzzle pieces that don’t seem to fit together?   If so, you’re certainly not alone.   I used to practice purely Chinese medicine and acupuncture, and was frustrated to see that my patient’s problem just kept coming back. To bridge the gap in care, I enrolled in a Toronto Osteopathy college and started my journey to become an osteopath.   Why osteopathy?   Well, I always like to use the analogy of a fine-tuned sports car…   …Imagine a beautiful 2005 Red Corvette that has endured wear and tear through its 10 years of use.   First, to keep the car running smoothly and its doors and gas pedals working optimally, you need lubricants. Lubricants are the engine oil, grease in the axil, oil for door hinges, etc.   I like to think of Acupuncture like the lubricants. Lubricants help […]

“Will Acupuncture Hurt?” Toronto Acupuncture Clinic

Nearly everyone who has entered into Toronto Acupuncture Clinic for their first acupuncture treatment wants to know:   “Will Acupuncture Hurt?”   As a Registered Acupuncturist in Toronto, my short answer is “yes and no.”   Yes, because it does hurt – but not in the way they’re asking me about.   See, when most people think about getting an acupuncture treatment, they imagine being poked and prodded with “scary” hypodermic needles. These are the needles that are normally used in syringes to either inject or extract fluids from the body.   Hypodermic needles are “hollow” (with a hole on their tip). They have a sharp wedge or beveled edge used to “cut” into the tissue.   Are you squirming in your seat?   That’s how most people react when they imagine these hypodermic needles. And some people have a phobia to these needles that is called, aichmophobia (fear of pointed […]

Have an injury? Here’s what to avoid! Toronto Acupuncture Clinic

One of the most common questions I get asked is, “should I use heat or cold for an injury?”   And when I answer, “heat,” people often look perplexed…   …They start thinking about all of the times mainstream medicine practitioners recommended they use ice after an injury.   Here’s why it’s best to use heat after an injury: While the cold is good for the temporary relief of pain, you could be inhibiting the injury repair process by using ice.   So unless you’re a performance athlete who needs to function without pain, then you’re better off using heat outside the acute phase of injury (2-3 days after injury).   Mainstream medicine recommends injured patients use ice to “decrease inflammation.” However, the issue with that is inflammation is perfectly normal.   Ice decreases inflammation. However, inflammation is a completely natural bodily response to help the body protect itself so […]

Graduation and the Future

I did it.  I graduated.  It only took 7 years.  It has been one of the rockiest rides i have ever been on.  Now i am a D.O.M.P (osteopathic manual practitioner). I want to thank my family starting with my wife Lotus.  She stood by me during this difficult period of my life and I need to thank her for taking care of our family (Tyberius and Nyota).  My Mom and dad.  Again, i could not have done with without their support.  Thank you for supporting me and standing by me. My osteopathic family – Fogg, Hamilton, Dennis, Kenny.  I could have not survived this without your support and all those long study sessions.  Robert Morelli, Judith Green thank, Jane Stark you so much for your kindness and words of wisdom.  I will forever cherish your advice. Now that i have graduated, i want to spend more time with my […]

Thesis Submitted!

I woke up this morning and thought that my thesis was due today! Oh wait my thesis is due today! Embarking on the journey of writing a thesis can be a daunting task, but with dedication, perseverance, and a well-structured plan, anyone can transform from a novice to a thesis-writing hero. This transformation involves several key steps: Choosing the Right Topic: Begin by selecting a topic that truly interests you and aligns with your academic and career goals. A passionate connection to the subject matter is the first step towards success. Thorough Research: Dive into comprehensive research to gather relevant data, literature, and supporting evidence for your thesis. A hero’s journey involves thorough exploration and understanding of the chosen subject. Creating a Solid Outline: Develop a clear and organized outline for your thesis, outlining the structure, chapters, and key points. This roadmap will keep you on track throughout the writing […]

Biography of Samuel Lo

In 1994 I was involved in a bike accident, and I had difficulties walking. The Western physicians wanted to do surgery, but my mom was insistent that we seek alternative healthcare. She asked all her friends who to go to and Dr. Lum Mun was the one I was introduced to by Mrs. Lau (a family friend). So my mom took me to Scarborough to her clinic which was a small dank little room behind the bookstore. Nothing was clean and there were mice. She said that she can get me walking pain-free within six weeks. Within four weeks I was walking without pain. I was really impressed. Around this point in time, mom was involved in a car accident, and was seeking help from dr lim. Dr lim asked me to treat mom “massage here everyday” so I did. When dr lam checked her over the week after, she was […]