TCM Style Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the oldest medical therapies used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is simple, safe, and effective health care. Acupuncture practitioners use thin, sterile disposable needles inserted superficially into acu-points in order to help the body's ability to heal itself. TCM explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of life essence — known as qi (chee) — believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. Western medicine views acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissues. Modern studies show that this stimulation boosts your body's natural painkillers called endorphins.
Moxibustion (Moxa)
Moxibustion is a TCM technique that involves burning of mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris), a small spongy herb, on particular acupoints on the body to facilitate healing. Moxibustion “heat” therapy mainly helps to warm the meridians, improve blood circulation, dispel cold and dampness, and strengthen the immune system. Scientific reviews have reported an increase in red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets around the area of treatment, effectively improving oxygen uptake by the cells of the body and driving the targeted systemic functions. Many patients report a warm, soothing sensation during and after a session of moxibustion.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine is an important pillar of TCM. The underlying principles of TCM are very different from traditional Western notions about health, illness and the workings of the body. Chinese herbs are prescribed to normalize imbalanced qi that runs through meridians in the body in a holistic way. Chinese herbal products have been studied for many medical problems, including stroke, heart disease, mental disorders, and respiratory diseases (such as bronchitis and the common cold). Herbs can act on the body as powerfully as pharmaceutical drugs and should be treated with the same caution and respect. Make sure your practitioner is fully qualified. Never abandon your regular medication or alter the dose without the knowledge and approval of your doctor.
Cupping
Cupping is a therapeutic procedure using a glass, ceramic, bamboo, or plastic cup to create suction on the skin. The practitioner applies a flame to the inside of the cup or a suction device to remove oxygen inside the cup, creating negative pressure that draws the skin into the cup. Cupping increases blood circulation in target areas where the cups are placed, thus relieving muscle tension, reducing pain, and promoting healing.
Tui Na
Tui Na means to push and grasp in the Chinese language. It is a type of medical bodywork that has been used in China for over 2000 years. It can be used as a standalone treatment as well as a combined treatment with acupuncture. Tui Na is used to massage the soft tissue of the body and manipulate the flow of Qi within the energy channels of the body to get a harmonious flow of Qi throughout the body. Tui Na aims to increase blood and lymph circulation as well as release tightness and congestion throughout the various layers of the body, including skin, fascia, and muscles. This will allow the body to heal naturally.
Gua Sha
Sometimes called ‘coining, spooning, or scraping’, Gua Sha is defined as instrument-assisted unidirectional press-stroking of a lubricated area of the body surface to intentionally create transitory therapeutic petechiae called "sha" representing extravasation of blood in the subcutis. In TCM, raising "sha" removes blood stagnation. Modern research shows that transitory therapeutic petechiae produce an anti-inflammatory and immune protective effect that persists for days following a single Gua Sha treatment. Patients may feel immediate relief from pain, stiffness, fever, chill, cough, wheeze, nausea and vomiting, etc.
Auricular Therapy
Ear seeds are small energy pellets used in ear acupuncture. Ear seeds provide a safe, quick, and economical means to receive acupuncture treatment. They allow for self-stimulation of the ear seeds in the days following initial insertion. The technique can be a qi balancing procedure that complements other treatments or a quick remedy itself.
Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture is similar to acupuncture, a widely practiced form of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture involves the use of thin needles to stimulate specific pressure points linked to unwanted symptoms. In standard acupuncture, one needle is used at each treatment point. Electroacupuncture is a modified form that uses two needles. A mild electric current passes between these needles during treatment. This current generally applies more stimulation to acupoints than needle twirling or other hand manipulation techniques an acupuncturist might use.
