Acupuncture in Toronto — Drew Nesbitt R.TCMP, R.Ac.

If you’re considering acupuncture for the first time — or looking for a more experienced hand after trying it elsewhere — you’re in the right place.

This page covers everything you need to know about how acupuncture works, what a treatment with Drew looks like, and whether it’s right for your situation.

What Conditions Does Drew Treat?

After 25 years in clinical practice, the most common reasons people come to see Drew are:

• Fertility support — IVF and IUI enhancement, low AMH, PCOS, unexplained infertility, male factor, recurrent loss
• Stress, anxiety and burnout — nervous system regulation, cortisol reduction, emotional resilience
• Insomnia and sleep disorders — difficulty falling asleep, waking through the night, unrefreshing sleep
• Pain management — chronic pain, sports injuries, back and neck pain, headaches
• Women’s health — cycle irregularity, PMS, perimenopause, endometriosis

Not sure if your condition is something Drew works with? Send him an email and he’ll give you an honest answer.

Is Acupuncture Right for You?

Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points on the body to influence the flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”) — the body’s energy force — through a network of pathways called meridians. From a modern scientific perspective, acupuncture stimulates nerve receptors, triggers the release of natural pain-relieving endorphins and mood-regulating serotonin, and measurably reduces stress hormones like cortisol.

It has been endorsed by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a wide range of conditions, and is currently used by an estimated one quarter of the world’s population.

If you’re dealing with fertility challenges, chronic stress, anxiety, or sleep problems, acupuncture is particularly well supported by the research — and Drew has spent the majority of his 25-year career working in exactly these areas.

Learn more about acupuncture for fertility →    Learn more about acupuncture for stress and anxiety →

What a Treatment With Drew Looks Like

Your First Visit (75–90 minutes)

Your initial appointment is longer than a typical acupuncture visit — and intentionally so. Drew takes a thorough approach to understanding your full health picture before any needles are placed.

You can expect:

• A detailed health history covering your current concerns, medications, relevant family history, and lifestyle
• TCM-specific questions about sleep, digestion, body temperature, stress levels, and energy — these aren’t filler questions, they’re how a TCM diagnosis is built
• Pulse diagnosis at the wrist — TCM recognizes 28 distinct pulse qualities, each pointing to specific imbalances in the body
• Tongue inspection — the size, shape, coating and colour of the tongue provides a wealth of diagnostic information
• 25–30 minutes of needle retention in a warm, private, comfortable treatment room

You should leave feeling relaxed — not anxious.

Follow-Up Visits (45–60 minutes)

Follow-up appointments focus on treatment and monitoring your progress. As a general guideline, most conditions respond within 6–10 treatments — fewer for recent or acute concerns, more for chronic or complex cases.

Types of Acupuncture Drew Uses

Traditional Acupuncture The foundation of every treatment. Fine, sterile, single-use needles are placed at specific points on the body to address your TCM diagnosis. Drew uses only disposable needles and strictly follows Clean Needle Technique (CNT) protocols for the safest possible treatment.

Electro-Acupuncture A modern complement to traditional acupuncture where a gentle electrical current is applied through the needles. Particularly effective for pain management, sports injuries, and as a research-supported adjunct to IVF treatment. Most patients find it deeply relaxing.

Auricular Acupuncture Over 200 acupuncture points exist in the ear alone, each corresponding to a different area of the body. Drew uses auricular points in virtually every treatment. As a NADA-trained Addiction Detoxification Specialist (ADS), he also uses a specific 5-point auricular protocol for stress reduction, anxiety, and addiction recovery support.

Learn more about auricular acupuncture →

Beyond Acupuncture — A Complete TCM Approach

Acupuncture is the foundation, but Drew’s approach goes further. Depending on your situation, your treatment plan may also include:

Chinese Herbal Medicine — a powerful complement to acupuncture, particularly for fertility and hormonal concerns. Drew prescribes herbs based on your specific TCM diagnosis, not generic formulas.

Nutritional Guidance — as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN), Drew integrates evidence-based dietary recommendations into every treatment plan. Food is medicine in TCM — and the right dietary approach can meaningfully accelerate your results.

Supplement Recommendations — Drew has completed extensive additional training in evidence-based supplementation, particularly for fertility. You’ll receive specific product and dosage recommendations tailored to your situation, not generic advice.

Credentials & Registration

Drew Nesbitt is a fully registered member of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) with the designations R.TCMP and R.Ac — the highest level of TCM registration in Ontario.

Why does this matter? Registered practitioners:

• Meet the minimum required training hours set by the college (4,000 hours for R.TCMP)
• Are covered by most extended health benefit plans
• Have passed both safety and jurisprudence examinations
• Display a college registration number on all receipts

If your acupuncture provider is not registered with the CTCMPAO, your treatments may not be covered by insurance — and their training may be significantly less than you assume.

Learn more about what “registered acupuncturist” means in Ontario →

Ready to Book?

Whether you’re coming in for fertility support, stress and anxiety, insomnia, or pain — the first step is the same.  Looking forward to meeting you soon.