Acupuncture and Holistic Medicine, Carried Through Generations

Registered Acupuncturist and TCM Practitioner - Acton, Ontario

Book an Appointment

Tel: (437)-422-8606

Email: info@dabok.ca

Ariel Kim, R.Ac., TCMP, Ph.D.

Hello, and welcome. I'm Ariel - a Registered Acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner based in Acton, Ontario.

I come from a family that has practised Korean Oriental Medicine for generations, and I've spent years training in the classical traditions of TCM alongside modern clinical research. At DaBōK, I combine that inherited knowledge with a careful, individualized approach because no two bodies, and no two stories, are ever the same.

Whether you're managing chronic pain, navigating stress, or simply ready to feel like yourself again, I'm here to support you on that journey.

To learn more about me, click here.

Our Philosophy

At DaBōK, healing is our heritage.

In 1517, An-guk Kim, a Korean Joseon scholar and my ancestor, compiled Ch'angjinbang Chwalyo, one of Korea's earliest medical texts on epidemics. Generations later, my great-grandfather and grandfather continued that tradition, practising Korean Oriental Medicine grounded in the classical teachings of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

That lineage shapes how I practice today.

We believe that when the mind is distressed, the body quietly follows, and when the body is unwell, the mind cannot settle. So we treat the whole person, drawing on acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, and moxibustion to address not just symptoms, but the deeper imbalances beneath them.

Healing here is not hurried. It is inherited, intentional, and human, carried through generations, and offered to you with care.

Treatments at DaBōK

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine used to support the body's natural healing processes. Ultra-fine, single-use needles are gently inserted at specific points to regulate energy flow, relieve pain, and restore internal balance. Most patients feel only a light tap or mild sensation. Acupuncture is commonly used for pain relief, stress, fatigue, and a wide range of physical and emotional conditions.

At DaBōK, acupuncture treatment is shaped by two distinct traditions:

The Heishui Method

Our primary acupuncture approach follows the Heishui Method, a refined needling technique developed by Master Wan Cheng Liu, Ph.D., one of the most respected acupuncturists of his generation. The method is known for its precise, gentle, and nearly painless needle insertion, ideal for patients who feel anxious about needles or are new to acupuncture.

Daishin (Japanese, Non-Insertive)

For patients who prefer a needle-free experience, we also offer Daishin (打鍼), a traditional Japanese technique that uses a small wooden mallet to gently tap a smooth metal instrument against the surface of the skin. Nothing pierces or breaks the skin. The therapeutic effect comes from precise, rhythmic tapping that stimulates acupuncture points through gentle vibration and pressure.

Originating in 16th-century Japan, Daishin is especially well-suited for children, elderly patients, those with sensitive constitutions, and anyone who has hesitated to try acupuncture because of needle anxiety.

Herbal Therapy

Herbal medicine is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine, used to support the body's natural healing processes from within. Carefully selected herbal formulas are prescribed according to your individual pattern, symptoms, and overall constitution to restore internal balance and address the root cause of imbalance. Herbal medicine is commonly used to support digestion, sleep, stress, fatigue, hormonal balance, immunity, and a wide range of physical and internal conditions.

We currently offer:

  • Patent pills — pre-formulated classical formulas, ideal for common patterns and short-term support

  • Granule formulas (coming soon) — customized concentrated extracts dissolved in hot water, blended specifically for your pattern

  • Raw herb decoctions (future offering) — traditional cooked herbs in their original form, used for the most refined and individualized treatment

Person holding a lit herbal cigarette over another person's back, with smoke rising.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion involves applying gentle heat from smouldering mugwort (moxa) near acupuncture points to warm the body, move Qi and Blood, and boost vitality. It is especially helpful for chronic pain, fatigue, and cold-sensitive conditions.

Cupping Therapy

Cupping is a traditional healing method used for thousands of years across Chinese and West Asian medicine. At DaBōK, we offer both fire cupping, the classical technique that uses a brief flame to create gentle suction inside glass cups, and modern suction methods, choosing the approach best suited to each patient.

Depending on your needs, treatment may include:

  • Stationary cupping, where cups remain in place to release deep tension and improve circulation

  • Sliding cupping, where cups glide along oiled skin to ease muscle stiffness and support lymphatic flow

  • Flash cupping, a quick on-and-off technique that stimulates circulation and helps clear external pathogens

Common Conditions

From chronic pain to stress, sleep issues to digestive concerns, TCM supports the body across a wide range of conditions.

Pain & Musculoskeletal: Back pain, neck pain, headaches, arthritis, sports injuries

Stress & Mental Wellness: Anxiety, insomnia, burnout, emotional fatigue

Women's Health: Menstrual irregularities, fertility support, menopause

Digestive Health: IBS, bloating, appetite issues

Immunity & Energy: Fatigue, frequent colds, seasonal allergies

See the full list of conditions we treat, click here.

A cozy bedroom with a bed, a massage table, a desk with a computer, large windows with blinds, a blue office chair, and wall art in a room with wooden floors and a wooden ceiling beam.

DaBōK

A Place Where Healing and Nature Meet.

A lush garden scene with a variety of colorful flowers, green shrubs, tall trees, and a fountain.
A forest scene with tall, slender trees and green foliage, with a grassy clearing in the foreground and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Snow-covered trees and ground in a forested area during winter.
A park scene with a large tree having vibrant red and orange fall foliage, surrounded by green trees under a clear blue sky, with a small pond and fountain visible in the distance.
Snow-covered forest stream with ice-frosted fallen trees and rocks, surrounded by trees in a winter landscape.

Ready?

Whether you're new to Traditional Chinese Medicine or returning to a familiar path, I am here to support your healing journey.

[Book Your Appointment]

Or reach out directly:

Tel: (437) 422-8606 • info@dabok.ca

9015 Wellington Rd. 50, Acton, ON