Acupuncture
Acupuncture consists of the insertion of thin, sterilized needles into acupuncture points on the body. Acupuncture points lay along channels/meridians in the body. Each channel is associated with specific organ systems and the insertion of needles help direct and distribute qi, blood, and fluids throughout the body. The ultimate goal is to help the body maintain steady unobstructed circulation, which allows each organ, muscle, tendon, ligament to be nourished properly. The insertion of acupuncture needles has a direct effect on the nervous system, and helps signal the body to heal itself. Acupuncture can also signal the body to release it’s natural pain killers, making it great for the treatment of pain.
Herbal Medicine & Nutrition
Herbal medicine and nutrition are major players in restoring your body’s health. There are hundreds of herbs used in Chinese Medicine, ranging from common foods we already consume such as cinnamon, garlic, and mint to other natural foods/substances that most wouldn’t think of as medicine - such as the peel of a tangerine or bark of the magnolia tree. In TCM, each herb has specific properties, actions, indications, and affinity toward select channels within the body. The intentional use of these herbs - alone or in combination with one another - help to create an internal body state optimal for health and healing.
Cupping
Cupping is an ancient technique used to release stagnation from muscle and fascia. Cupping works by using suction, which signals the body to bring circulation to the area where the cup is placed, and pushes out any stagnation or toxins present in the area. Light pink, red, dark red, or purple marks are often left on the skin, which represent the amount of stagnation that is present.
Moxa
Moxa, also known as moxibustion, is a technique that has been used for over 2,000 years. It consists of burning the herb Ai Ye (mugwart) on or near the surface of the skin. There are a variety of ways to apply moxa in the clinic - but they all share the focus of allowing the herb to penetrate into the body to warm the channels and disperse any cold stagnation that is trapped. Moxa helps improve circulation in the body, which allows it to treat things such as pain, fatigue, digestive complaints, and more.
Gua Sha
Gua Sha is a scraping technique used to release areas of stagnation in the body. A gua sha tool has a rounded edge, and is used to scrape the skin on the surface of your body creating microtraumas. These microtraumas signal the body to start its natural healing process. Gua sha is used to help alleviate pain, aid in tissue repair, and also stimulate the immune system and treat the common cold. Like in cupping, light pink, red, or purple marks may appear as a result of this technique. These marks are indicative of stagnation and/or heat in the patient’s body.