As a young girl, Betty remembers leafing through her grandfather’s medicinal books with great interest, marking the start of her introduction into the world of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

In what would become her lifelong passion, a young Betty Bai went on to enroll at the world-renowned Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China where she achieved a Bachelor’s Degree in Acupuncture and Tui-Na massage, further pursuing graduate studies in Acupuncture. As one of the top five TCM universities in China and the oldest established TCM university, the Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine provided the perfect environment for Betty to practice her skills under the careful tutelage of many knowledgeable and experienced practitioners. Post-graduation, she taught and practiced TCM in various parts of Asia including Hong Kong, Malaysia and China for 10 years.

Betty enjoys the simple life – being able to care for her family and doing what she loves. In pursuit of this, she immigrated to Vancouver, Canada with her family in 2000 where she once again began to practice in her field soon after arriving. In 2002, she opened her own clinic in Coquitlaim. As of 2016, Betty has been practicing Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in Canada for the last 16 years.

Betty’s Acupuncture and Wellness Center is located on Austin Avenue, Coquitlam. Here, she treats numerous patients and their ailments as well as helping them to understand and participate in their own healing. She strives to help people in the Lower mainland recognize the value and benefits of Chinese Medicine.

As an immigrant, a health practitioner, a business owner, a wife and a mother, Betty’s many roles have granted her much insight and instilled in her a deep appreciation of the interplay between a person’s physiology, psychology, socio-cultural make-up, family background, personality, and health and illnesses. She strives to understand each and every patient as an individual, while remembering that deciphering the patient’s health condition is as much a science as it is an art.

Healing comes from the balance and harmony of the human body, as well as harmony within one’s environment. Betty believes in the philosophy of “time specific, place specific, person specific” treatment approach that sees each person’s illness as a result of their unique background and circumstances. In order to help a patient recover, the root of the problem needs to be understood and treated so that balance in the body is restored. Betty believes TCM can help people in a way that promotes healthy and natural living.

Betty is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. She continues to invest time in her own growth as a TCM practitioner through reading, networking with other health professionals, and attending conferences on Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Betty is a Registered Acupuncturist and a Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncture of British Columbia.

As a young girl, Betty remembers leafing through her grandfather’s medicinal books with great int... Read More

Akiyo Toji, R.Ac. is a Registered Acupuncturist with extensive training in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and a deep-rooted passion for holistic health. She completed the four-year Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner Program at Central College in New Westminster, BC, where she also earned certification in Oriental Tui-Na Massage. Aki is fluent in both Japanese and English, allowing her to connect with a diverse range of patients.

Aki’s journey into healthcare began long before her arrival in Canada 16 years ago. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science from the University of Reading in the U.K., after which she worked as a food scientist for GlaxoSmithKline, a multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company. Her curiosity about the true meaning of “Good Health and Happiness” led her to explore clinical aromatherapy, particularly its effects on the human psyche and emotions. Growing up in Japan, Aki was introduced to the principles of TCM by her senior family members, sparking a lifelong interest in this ancient healing practice.

Aki views the body as an interconnected whole, continually influenced by natural elements such as weather, seasons, and environmental factors. During clinical examinations, she employs core TCM diagnostic techniques—inspection, listening/smelling, inquiry, and palpation—along with pulse taking and tongue observation. These methods allow her to identify patterns of imbalance and tailor treatment plans specific to each patient’s unique needs. Aki’s treatment approaches may include acupuncture, moxibustion, TCM herbs, food therapy, Tui-Na, cupping therapy, electro-acupuncture, auricular therapy, and Gua-sha, either used singly or in combination.

As a mother of three boys, Aki understands the challenges of maintaining physical and mental well-being while juggling family responsibilities. Her personal experiences enable her to empathize deeply with those facing emotional and physical challenges in today’s fast-paced world.

Qualifications: - Registered Acupuncturist of British Columbia, Canada - Graduate of the TCM Practitioner Program at Central College, New Westminster, BC - Certified in Oriental Tui-Na Massage, Central College, British Columbia, Canada - Certified in Clinical Aromatherapy, British Columbia, Canada - Bachelor of Science in Food Science, University of Reading, U.K.

Akiyo Toji, R.Ac. is a Registered Acupuncturist with extensive training in Traditional Chinese Me... Read More