Tim H. Tanaka

Tim Hideaki Tanaka

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

As the founder and clinical director of The Pacific Wellness Institute, a leading alternative medical center in Toronto, Tim Hideaki Tanaka, Ph.D., R.Ac, R.TCMP, is a Registered Acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner in Ontario. Born in Fukuoka, Japan, he studied acupuncture and East Asian Medical Therapies in Tokyo, obtaining his national acupuncture license prior to moving to North America.

With his Ph.D. in medical science, Tanaka was the recipient of the World Federation of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Society’s 1996 Excellent Research Award for his study on Somatic Reaction Induced by Acupuncture Stimulation. He was appointed Visiting Research Fellow of Acupuncture at the Tsukuba University of Technology in Japan and lectured extensively across the globe, including in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Hungary, China, and Japan.

Tanaka has co-authored Japanese acupuncture and traditional massage textbooks, in addition to a number of research papers published in peer-reviewed medical journals. His original research has been cited by many scholarly papers and clinical textbooks as well, referenced in various government and public agency reports, including the US National Institute of Health (NIH), Consensus Statement on Acupuncture.

He is currently editor-in-chief of the Mathews Journal of Nutrition & Dietetics and an editorial board member of the International Journal of Clinical Research and Trials. As well, he frequently served as an expert reviewer in the fields of acupuncture, traditional Asian medicine, female reproductive medicine, and applied neurophysiology for many peer-reviewed medical journals.

With an extensive and unique background, both in education and practice, Tim Tanaka is well versed in all aspects of traditional Asian medicine: acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, and diet therapy. At the same time, he also values the benefits of modern scientific and therapeutic approaches, including heart rate variability (HRV), functional medicine, and clinical nutrition. With more than 30 years of clinical experience and in-depth training in alternative medicine, Tanaka is known for cutting-edge treatments and his enduring influence within the field.

Tanaka is board certified in biofeedback by the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA Senior Fellow.), and he has produced HRV biofeedback-based breathing training CDs in collaboration with Somerset Entertainment. The CDs have been sold globally through e-commerce giants, such as Amazon.com, and are used within his own clinic during acupuncture sessions to optimize therapeutic conditions.

With unmatched clinical experience, Tanaka developed his own unique natural therapy program for dealing with health conditions, including chronic back pain, migraine headaches, sports injuries, digestive problems, stress-related issues, and infertility.

“Your health concerns will be addressed in the most effective and timely manner possible. The treatment system I have developed is designed to relieve your symptoms and improve your overall health simultaneously, which encompasses the knowledge and skills that I have acquired through my extensive research and clinical experience.”

T.H. Tanaka, Ph.D., R.Ac, R.TCMP

Tim Hideaki Tanaka, PhD., R.Ac, R.TCMP

Ph.D. in Medical Science (US)
Registered Acupuncturist (Ontario)
Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (Ontario)

Additional Qualifications/Certificates

• Licensed Acupuncturist (Japan)
• Biofeedback Board Certified (BCIA Senior Fellow)
• Registered Massage Therapist (RMT)
• Registered Nutritional Consultant (RNCP)
• Registered Orthomolecular Health Practitioner (ROHP)
• Advanced Herbology/Chinese Medical Gynecology, BP Institute, USA
• TCM Internal Medicine (Advanced Clinical), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China

Internships

• Acupuncture-Moxibustion Department, Tsukuba College of Technology, Japan
• WHO Collaboration Center for Health Promotion through Research and Training in Sports Medicine, Tokyo Medical College, Japan

Tim H. Tanaka, Ph.D. is presented the
Excellent Research Paper Award at the 4THWorld Conference on Acupuncture, in 1996. (Left: the late Chen Shaowu MD, former President of the “World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies.”)

Current Research and Clinical Interests

• Electrophysiology/Applied Physiology (Heart Rate Variability, Surface EMG, Autonomic Reflex, Spectral Analysis, etc.)
• Investigation of Physiological Effects of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine Interventions
• Standardization of Traditional East Asian Medicine Diagnosis
• Treatment of Migraines, Sports Injuries, Functional/Biological Rhythm Disorders (IBS, Menstrual Conditions, etc.)
• Fertility Optimization using Acupuncture and Traditional East Asian Medicine

Academic Appointments

• Ph.D. Committee Member, Graduate School of The Union Institute and University, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Visiting Research Fellow, School of Health Sciences, Tsukuba University of Technology, Japan

Other Academic/Professional Activities

Editor-in-Chief

• Mathews Journal of Nutrition & Dietetics

Editorial Board Member

• International Journal of Clinical Research and Trials
• EC Gynaecology

International Reviewers Panel

• Medical Science Monitor: International Medical Journal for Experimental and Clinical Research

Served as Expert Reviewer for:

• Applied Sciences
• BAOJ Cardiology
• BAOJ Medical and Nursing
• Biomedicines
• BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• BMJ Acupuncture in Medicine
• British Journal of Sports Medicine
• Complementary Therapies in Medicine
• Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
• European Journal of Integrative Medicine
• European Journal of Sport Science
• Evidence Based Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
• Human Biology & Health Education
• International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork
• International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• International Medical Case Reports Journal
• Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies
• Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine
• Journal of Clinical Medicine
• Journal of Integrative Medicine
• Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy
• Medical Science Monitor
• Medicines
• Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface
• OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine
• Patient Preference and Adherence

Co-Chair:

• The sensory reflex session, The 53rd Annual Meeting of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chiba, Japan, June 2004
• Autonomic nervous system session, The 57th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Kyoto, Japan, May 2008

Awards/Grants

• Excellent Research Award from the World Federation of Acupuncture Societies, 1996
• CMTO Research Grant 2000 for Massage and Muscle Fatigue / Muscle Blood Flow Study (Principal Investigator)
• 2018 Outstanding Reviewer Awards from International Peer-reviewed medical journal, Medicines

Professional Societies

• Executive Council Member: Professional College of Acupuncture and TCM, Ontario (1999-2002)
• Board Member: Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada (1996-2011)
• Program Director: Post Graduate Acupuncture Course: The Pacific Wellness Institute – Acupuncturists Upgrade Training Center designated by CMACC (1996-2004)
• Fellow: Biofeedback Certification International Alliance
• Member: Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion
• Member: Nutritional Consultants Organization of Canada
• Member: Japan Society for Oriental Medicine
• Member: Association of East Asian Medicine

Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications

Kubota, T., Mori, H., Morisawa, T., Hanyu, K., Watanabe, M., Tanaka, TH. Influence of electroacupuncture stimulation on skin temperature, skin blood flow, muscle blood volume and pupil diameter.Acupuncture in Medicine. doi 10. 1136, 2019 [Medline]

Kuge, H., Mori, H. Morisawa, T, Hanyu, K., Miyazaki, J, Watanabe, M, Tanaka, TH. Effect of Different Dosages of ST36 Indirect Moxibustion on the Skin Temperature of the Lower Legs and Feet. Medicines, 15(52) pii:57, 2018 [Medline]

Mori, H. Kuge, H., Sakaguchi, S., Tanaka, TH et al. Determination of symptoms associated with hiesho among young females using hie rating surveys.Journal of Integrative Medicine. 16(1), 2018 [Medline]

Tanaka, T.H. Dietary tradition, nutritional theories and science. Mathews Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2(1):011, 2017 [Full Text]

Mori, H., Kuge, H., Watanabe, M., Tanaka, T. H.  Does electroacupuncture influence skin temperature, skin blood flow, and muscle blood volume among stimulation sites? Medical Acupuncture. 28 (6):325-330, 2016 [Abstract]

Miyazaki, J., Kuge, H. , Mori, H., Izumi, E., Tanaka, T. H. et al.  A moxa stimulation on the leg affected the function of stomach via autonomic nerve system and polymodal receptors. Health. 8 (8):749-755, 2016 [Abstract]

Sakaguchi, S., Kuge, H., Mori, H., Miyazaki, J., Tanaka, T.H. et al. Extraction of items identifying hiesho (cold disorder) and their utility in young males and females. Journal of Integrative Medicine. 14(1): 36-43, 2016 [Medline]

Tanaka, T.H. Tongue diagnosis: relationship between sublingual tongue morphology in three tongue protrusion angles and menstrual clinical symptoms. Journal of Integrative Medicine. 13(4):248-56, 2015 [Medline] [Full Text]

Mori, H. Kege, H., Watanabe, M., Tanaka, T.H. Near-infrared spectroscopy and hydrogen clearance: is there any difference between these two methods of muscle blood volume estimation? Acupuncture in Medicine 32:167-171, 2014 [Medline]

Mori, H., Kuge, H., Tanaka, T. H. et al. Influence of different durations of electroacupuncture stimulation on skin blood flow and muscle blood volume. Acupuncture in Medicine 32:167-171, 2014 [Medline]

Kuge, H., Mori, H., Tanaka, T. H. et al. Difference between the effects of one-site and three-site abdominal hot-stone stimulation on the skin-temperature changes of the lower limbs. Journal of Integrative Medicine 11(5) 314-319, 2013 [Medline]

Mori, H., Kuge, H., Tanaka, T. H. et al. Effects of acupuncture treatment on natural killer cell activity, pulse rate, and pain reduction for older adults: an uncontrolled, observational study. Journal of Integrative Medicine: 2013, 11 (2), 101-105 [Medline]

Mori, H., Kuge, H., Tanaka, T. H. et al.  Is there any difference in human pupillary reaction to acupuncture between light- and dark-adaptive conditions? Acupuncture in Medicine 30:109-112, 2012 [Medline]

Mori, H., Tanaka, T. H., Kuge, H., Sasaki, K. Is there a difference between the effects of one-point and three-point indirect moxibustion stimulation on skin temperature changes of the posterior trunk surface? Acupuncture in Medicine, 30:27-31, 2012 [Medline]

Mori, H., Tanaka T.H., Kuge, H., et al. Is there a difference between the effects of single and triple indirect moxibustion stimulations on skin temperature changes of the posterior trunk surface? Acupuncture in Medicine, 29:116-121, 2011 [Medline]

Mori, H., Tanaka, TH., Kuge, H.,et al. Is there any difference in human pupillary reaction when different acupuncture points are stimulated? Acupuncture in Medicine, 28:21-24, 2010 [Medline] [Full Text]

Nolan, R.P., Jong, P., Barry-Bianchi, S.M., Tanaka, T.H., et al. Effects of Drug, Biobehavioral and Exercise Therapies on Heart Rate Variability in Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review. European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, 15, 386-396, 2008. [Medline]

Mori, H.; Ueda, S.; Kuge, H.; Taniwaki, E.; Tanaka, T. H. et al. Pupillary Response Induced by Acupuncture Stimulation–An Experimental Study. Acupuncture in Medicine, 26, 79-86, 2008. [Medline]

Mori, H., Ohsawa, H., Tanaka, TH., Taniwaki, E., Leisman, G., Nishijo, K.  Effect of Massage on Blood Flow and Muscle Fatigue following Isometric Lumbar Exercise.  Medical Science Monitor, 10(5): CR173-8, 2004 [Medline]

Tanaka, T.H., Leisman, G., Mori, H., Nishijo, K.  The Effect of Massage on Localized Lumbar Muscle Fatigue.  BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2:9, 2002 [Medline] [Full Text]

Tanaka, T.H., Nishijo, K.  ダイナミックEMG活動への鍼刺激の影響 (Influence of Acupuncture Stimulation on Dynamic Electromyographic Activity).  全日本鍼灸学会雑誌 Journal of The Japan Society of Acupuncture, Vol. 48, No. 2, 105-119, 1998 [J-Stage] [Full Text in Japanese]

Tanaka, T.H., Leisman, G., Nishijo, K.  Dynamic Electromyographic Study on Acupuncture:  Possible Influence in Synergistic Coordination.  International Journal of Neuroscience, Vol. 95, 51-61, 1998 [Medline]

Tanaka, T.H., Leisman, G., Nishijo, K.  The Physiological Responses Induced by Superficial Acupuncture: A Comparative Study on Acupuncture Stimulation During Exhalation Phase and Continuous Stimulation.  International Journal of Neuroscience, Vol. 90, No. 1-2, 45-58, 1997 (Listed in the National Institute of Health, Consensus Statement on Acupuncture, September, 1997) [Medline]

Doctoral Dissertation

Tanaka, T.H.  The Somatic Reaction Induced by Acupuncture Stimulation: Autonomic Nervous System Response and Electromyographic Activity. Dissertation Abstracts International, Vol. 57, No. 6, 1996

Other Publications (Non-Peer-Reviewed)

Ozaki, A., Wakayama, I., Tanaka, T., Suzuki, T., Shinbara, H.　ここまでわかった鍼灸医学：基礎と臨床との交流 －筋疾患および筋機能・代謝における鍼灸の効果と現状　(Effects of Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Muscle diseases and Muscular Functions/Metabolism and the Status of These Techniques) 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌，2004年第54巻5号698-716 Vol. 54, No. 5, 698-716, 2004 [Full Text in Japanese]

Tanaka, T.H.  Acupuncture Status in Canada: Summary of Educational, Social and Legislative Issues in Ontario.  Journal of The Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Vol. 51, No. 5, 623-627, 2001

Tanaka, T.H.  The Possibilities for Optimizing Acupuncture Treatment Results through Synchronization with Somatic State: Examination of Autonomic Response to Superficial Needling During Exhalation.  American Journal of Acupuncture, Vol. 24, No. 4, 233-239, 1996

Tanaka, T.H.  Neuromuscular Response Induced by Superficial Acupuncture Stimulation.  The Journal of Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Vol. 55, No 12, 27-34, 1996

Selected Principal Presentations

Tanaka T.H.: 舌下静脈形態と色調の被験者内変動について (Within Subject Variability in Tongue Sublingual Vein Morphology and Color Characteristics). 62th Annual Meeting Of the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine, Sapporo, Japan, June 2011 [要旨」

Tanaka T.H.: Tongue Examination of Sublingual Veins: Intrasubject Variability in Four Diagnostic Parameters. ICMART 2011 World Congress on Medical Acupuncture,The Hague, Netherlands, May 2011 [Abstract]

Tanaka, TH. Standardization of Sublingual Tongue Diagnosis, 7th World Congress on Chinese medicine, The Hague, Netherlands, Oct 2010

Tanaka, T.H. Enhancement of Acupuncture Effects with Auditory Assisted Slow Breathing, WHO Congress on Traditional Medicine, Beijing, China, 2008 [Abstract] [中文]

Tanaka, T.H. Potentiating the Autonomic Effects of Acupuncture by Proactive Use of Respiration, ICMART XIII World Congress, Budapest, Hungary, 2008

Tanaka, T.H. 鍼治療と心拍変動バイオフィードバックの融合の試み  Integration of Acupuncture and HRV Biofeedback, 57th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Kyoto, Japan, May 2008. [要旨]

Tanaka, T.H. Fertility Difficulties Treated By Acupuncture: Analysis of 76 Pregnancy Cases.  The 20th Year Anniversary WFAS International Acupuncture Congress, (co-sponsored by the World Health Organization), Beijing, China, Oct 2007.

Tanaka, T.H. Influence of acupuncture on muscle coordination revealed by dynamic electromyographic evaluation. Paper presented at the symposium: Status of Acupuncture and Moxibustion at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chiba, Japan, June 2004. [Paper]

Tanaka, T.H. The Creation and Efficacy of a HRV-Autonomic Trainer CD in Assisting Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Training: Preliminary Report. Paper presented at the 34th Annual Meeting of Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, Jacksonville, Florida March 27-30, 2003. [Abstract]

Tanaka, T.H., Mori, H., Leisman, G., Nishijo, K.  Influence of Local Massage Application on Fatigue Scale and EMG Power Spectrum During Sustained Muscle Contraction.  Paper presented at the 34th Annual Meeting of Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, Jacksonville, Florida March 27-30, 2003. [Abstract]

Tanaka, T.H., Mori, H., Leisman, G., Nishijo, K.  Effect of Massage on Muscle Fatigue and Recovery. Paper presented at the International Symposium on the Science of Touch, Montreal Canada, May 16-18, 2002. [Abstract]

Tanaka, T.H., Nishijo, K. Electrophysiological Study of Acupuncture Stimulation Synchronized with Patient’s Respiratory Rhythm. Paper presented at the 32nd Annual Meeting of Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, Raleigh-Durham, NC, March 29-April 1, 2001.

Tanaka, T.H.  Physiological Effects of Superficial Acupuncture: The Technique Focusing on Patient’s Respiratory Rhythm: Paper presented at the 7th Symposium of the Society for Acupuncture Research, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, October 21-22, 2000. [Abstract]

Tanaka, T.H.  Superficial Acupuncture Needling Technique Utilizing Patient’s Biological Rhythm:  Summary of Study Findings Using Various Physiological Indexes,  Paper presented at the 4th World Congress of Medical Acupuncture and Natural Medicine, Edmonton, AB, August 25-27, 2000.

Tanaka, T.H.  The Role of Acupuncture in Enhancing Synergistic Coordination: A Study Using Dynamic EMG Assessment, Invited presentation at the 5th Symposium of the Society for Acupuncture Research, Stanford University, CA., September 26-27, 1998.

Tanaka, T.H., Nishijo, K.  The Effect of Acupuncture on Correcting Muscle Asymmetry:  Dynamic Electromyographic Study.  Paper presented at the XIIth Congress of the International Society for Electrophysiology and Kinesiology, Montreal, QE., June 27-30, 1998.

Tanaka, T.H.  The Influence of Acupuncture on Synergistic Coordination.  Paper presented at the 29th Annual Meeting of Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, Orlando, FL., April 1-5, 1998.

Tanaka, T.H., Nishijo, K.  Comparative Study on Acupuncture Stimulation During A Patient’s Exhalation Phase Only and Continuous Stimulation.  Excellent Paper Award presentation at the 4th World Conference on Acupuncture, New York, 1996. [Abstract]

Media Appearances

Magazines/Newspapers:  Toronto Star, Eye for the Future, Varsity, Alternative Medicine Magazine

Televisions:  CBS (Special Series: Quit Smoking), Portuguese Channel (CH 47 TV), Greek Channel (CH 47 TV), City TV (Eye on Toronto)

Appointment Hours

by appointment only