Tim Wu has been steeped in the practices of traditional Chinese medicine since he was born in southeastern China. Four generations of his family earned their living by providing massage therapy, qi gong therapy, and herbal treatments that combined Taoist and Buddhist techniques. As an adult, he sought to continue the family business by studying at Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, one of just over 30 such institutions in the country that focus on those disciplines.

Several decades later, Wu opened a holistic health practice in Ottawa. At Chinese Ancient Therapy, he specializes in qi gong, in which the therapist guides the client through massage, flowing movements, and deep breathing. The intended result is a restored balance of energy ("qi") in the body, a calmer mind, and reduced stress and pain. Many clients use the therapy to treat chronic pain and other conditions where Western medicine isn't the sole solution.