Traditional Chinese Medicine is rooted in rich ancient principles based on unchanging natural laws. Working with this extraordinary medicine, one can activate & facilitate the body’s own innate healing processes, and the following adjunctive treatments can be used in conjunction with acupuncture or individually to access the body’s natural self-healing ability.
Cupping is a Chinese medicine technique which uses small glass or plastic cups to apply suction and heat over the energetic pathways of the body facilitating dispersion of stagnation and congestion to improve the circulation of Qi and address imbalances. The suction draws any congested blood, vital fluids, or energy in the body to the surface to be released, breaking up blockages to restore the body’s natural flow of energy. Once the suction is established the cups can be left in place or moved across the skin using gentle pressure. Application of cupping can be used for a variety of conditions especially muscle aches, rheumatism, flu’s & colds, weight management, high blood pressure, anxiety, fatigue, migraines, and overall general health management and relaxation.
Cupping helps rejuvenate the meridians and internal organs and patients generally feel very relaxed after a treatment with a healthy flow of energy restored.
Gua Sha has been used in China and South East Asia for thousands of years. It is also referred to as scraping or spooning and involves lubricating the skin with oil followed by using a smooth-edged instrument to make long or short strokes causing a redness & or slight bruising. The repetitive friction on the skin over the problem area brings pain relief during and immediately after a session. It can be used to treat and prevent the common cold, flu, bronchitis, asthma, and both acute and chronic pain especially in the back, neck, shoulders, buttocks, and limbs.
The Gua Sha brings any toxicity, stagnation, or fever inside the body to the surface to be released. It is stimulating to the immune system, anti-inflammatory, increasing circulation, and regulating organ and metabolic processes. After a Gua Sha treatment patients usually feel a shift or release especially if there was pain present. On an energetic level, it revitalizes the body and emotions, helping to diminish stress and fatigue, relaxing the body to clear the mind and senses.
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique where a small amount of the herb Mugwort, also known as artemesia vulgaris, is burnt on the skin or just off the skin to facilitate healing. The heat that permeates the skin as the moxa burns slowly effects the expulsion of cold and warms the meridians, nourishing and enabling a smoother flow of blood and qi throughout the body. Moxa provides good protection against cold and flu’s and is often used for respiratory problems and coughs, for pain due to injury where cold has entered the body and warmth is required, for digestive problems including IBS and constipation, and for menstrual cramps.
Having Moxa in a treatment the patient feels a comfortable sensation and it is usually very relaxing for the mind, body, and spirit. There is often a felt sense of flooding warmth that is felt along the meridian that is being treated indicating the flow of qi and blood has been released from any blockage and is flowing freely.