A native Torontonian of mixed Chinese and Caucasian heritage, Ryan also speaks Cantonese and enjoyed yearly trips to China throughout his upbringing. Since a young age he has been a practitioner of Kung Fu, and has attained the status of Sifu in the style of Praying Mantis. Competing in both forms and sparring matches, Ryan has won medals at several competitions.
Ryan spent 5 years serving in the Canadian Army as an infanteer, and was promoted to the rank of Corporal. During his initial training he was awarded “Top Soldier” out of his entire training company.
Moving to Hamilton, he completed his Honours Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree at McMaster University with a minor in Biochemistry. After graduation, he moved back to Toronto to finally pursue his passion and complete the 5-year Advanced Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner program at the Toronto School of Traditional Chinese Medicine under the tutelage of very talented Doctors from China. He is now a member in good standing with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO).
Ryan has been in practice since 2008 and worked out of several clinics in the GTA before establishing Avenue Acupuncture. His primary focus is on the treatment of chronic pain, and degenerative eye diseases. He is also an instructor at the York University, Toronto School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Ontario College of TCM- Toronto, teaching courses on advanced acupuncture techniques. His education always continues, as he frequently attends advanced training courses on acupuncture and Chinese medicine including:
- Chinese Medicine Ophthalmology; a relatively new style which addresses some very serious eye conditions including; retinitis pigmentosa (RP), macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and dry eyes. Currently, Ryan is one of the few people in Canada to have had this training to treat these specific conditions through Acupuncture
- AcuNova; an acupuncture system developed in Denmark which is completely different from traditional methods. The sets of points used in this system are found to have regenerative effects to the eyes. This system helps to treat degenerative vision disorders, and the conditions as listed above.
- Microacupuncture; another system developed in Denmark which is completely different from traditional methods. It is similar to the AcuNova system in that it elicits a regenerative effect in the eyes to treat the same conditions listed above.
- MA48; an ophthalmic acupuncture microsystem approach to treating eye diseases. This style employs the use of points in the hands and feet to treat degenerative eye conditions.
- The Balance Method; which provides almost immediate results for issues such as pain and discomfort. This system employs the use of acupuncture points often nowhere close to the actual site of pain, but patients are usually amazed at the benefits after only a few minutes
- Advanced pulse diagnosis; in which a person’s constitution can be assessed only by the quality of the blood felt in the radial artery on a person’s wrist. This is one of the cornerstones of Chinese medicine and an important tool in order to provide an effective treatment
- Advanced Tung Acupuncture; a separate style of acupuncture which originates from one of Taiwan’s most famous Doctors
- Japanese Acupuncture; a system developed by Master Kiiko Matsumoto which relies on palpation to determine weak areas in the body. Stimulation of specific areas will give immediate feedback as to whether the proper points have been selected to treat the affected area.
- Neuro-Meridian Acupuncture; a very effective system for stroke rehab, numbness/paralysis disorders, sports injury, and general pain conditions. This system takes advantage of extremely precise nerve locations to essentially rehabilitate damaged nerves and muscles
- Chinese Scalp Acupuncture; a system that combines traditional Acupuncture with modern neurology. Scalp acupuncture is most effective for conditions affecting the Central Nervous System, such as: stroke, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, concussions, paralysis, etc. The benefits of this system are that it produces results quickly, uses few needles, and can be incorporated along with exercises simultaneously
- Dry Needling; an anatomically based system of acupuncture. This style focuses on searching for trigger points located within tightened muscles, which may cause misalignment and pain.
- Motor Point Acupuncture; an anatomically based system of acupuncture. This focuses on stimulating specific muscles for sports medicine and repetitive use injuries.
- Xing Nao Kai Qiao; a post-stroke recovery system that focuses on the rehabilitation of the nervous system to bring function back to the limbs and extremities. This is useful for conditions such as eye stroke, hemiplegia, and paralysis.
- Dao Needling; which incorporates the use of a separate acupotomy needle. Excellent in breaking up scar tissue and improving muscle function.
