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Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves gently inserting very thin needles into the body at different locations and depths to initiate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.
Acupuncture needles are solid (filiform) and much thinner than hypodermic needles. Acupuncture points are areas of electrical sensitivity. Studies have recently shown that acupuncture points have less electrical resistance than any other points on the body. Inserting metal needles at these points stimulates various sensory receptors that, in turn, stimulate nerves that transmit impulses to the hypothalamic-pituitary system at the base of the brain.
The hypothalamus-pituitary glands are responsible for releasing neurotransmitters and endorphins. These neurotransmitters have several bodily functions, including pain relief, regulating inflammation, and influencing the hormonal system. This is why acupuncture works well for many things, from back pain and arthritis to PMS and infertility, as well as anxiety and depression. Other physiological effects of acupuncture include increased circulation and T-cell count, stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, decreased inflammation, and relief from muscle spasms.
Laser
Low-level laser therapy is the use of low intensity photonic energy as a treatment modality. Photonic stimuli excite the body’s cells infusing them with energy, with the three primary reactions being, reduction of inflammation, cell function and increased blood flow. Low level laser therapy is a non-invasive, fast and effective modality that has been proven in clinical trials to reduce pain, reduce edema, and promote healing.
Cupping
Cupping was originally used in folk medicine from 1500 BCE in ancient Chinese, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern Cultures, as well as in hospitals in England in the 1800s to treat contagious diseases. The cups were originally made from animal horns, pottery, or bamboo. They are now they are commonly made from glass or plastic.
The cupping technique uses heat or pump suction to create a vacuum seal placed on the skin. This breaks up adhesions that are blocking the flow of nutrients to different parts of the body. The cups can be stationary for up to 10 minutes, or lubricant (e.g. oil) can be glided across the skin.
Cupping therapy is effective in helping relieve pain and stimulating the lymphatic system and blood flow, which aids in the removal of toxins and facilitates healing. The release of tension and improvement of blood flow promotes healing throughout the whole body, helping to treat stress, anxiety, and respiratory symptoms, colds, flus, and boost immunity.
Moxibustion
Mugwort (Artemesia Vulgaris) has been used throughout history for medicinal purposes. Heated mugwort produces an acrid spicy essence that also helps stimulate blood flow. The herb burns slowly, making it perfect for a moxibustion therapy.
Mugwort leaves are dried and ground into small sticks or cones called moxa (similar to incense), which are then lit and used to warm points on your body and relieve a variety of conditions. The heat generated through moxa can help to warm the channels and increase the flow of energy throughout the body.
Fun fact! Mugwort is proven to increase beneficial blood circulation in the pelvic area. Women have used it for years to stimulate and ease menstruation. In modern times, acupuncturists use it to treat menstrual cramps. Moxibustion is also a natural option used to turn breech presentation babies in the womb to the head-down position for birth.
Auricular Acupuncture
In traditional Chinese medicine, the ear is a microsystem for the whole body. There are over 90 pressure points on the ear that target different areas of the body for healing benefits such as relief from pain, balancing hormones, and relaxing the nervous system. Strategic placement of needles releases endorphins and sets a chain reaction in the neurological pathways that have been shown to reduce pain, promote immune response, and aid in mental clarity. The vagus nerve is crucial for balancing the nervous system, alleviating stress, and promoting relaxation. It uniquely extends to the surface of the body through various branches, particularly in the ear’s concha.
Herbs
Chinese herbal medicine uses herbs to improve health. Unlike Western medicine, traditional Chinese herbalists won’t just treat symptoms or diseases. We treat the entire human beings, including their patterns of symptoms. We take in the whole picture! A person’s head-to-toe collection of signs and symptoms develops ‘pattern differentiation.’ In Chinese medicine, we relate the human body to nature, and like how the earth has many distinct habitats (dry, hot, damp, cold, etc.), so do each one of us. Herbalists ultimately try to balance the body to create an environment that’s not hospitable to your health issues. The herbs that accomplish this are highly individualized.
Chinese herbal medicine has thousands of years of data to back it up. Throughout history, Chinese emperors worked to preserve and multiply the knowledge of the previous ages. That means today we have almost 2,000 years of clearly written records about how herbs and herb combinations work in different people. We often still prescribe these effective classic formulas in addition to creating custom formulas.
E-stim
Electro-acupuncture is also known as e-stim or electrical stimulation. Acupuncture needles are placed in the body and certain select ones are then connected together using small clips and a wire that are connected to a battery powered device that delivers small electrical impulses or current.
This electrode provides a gentle vibration that stimulates energy running through these points. A unique advantage of electro-acupuncture is its ability to simulate an area larger than the needle itself.
The device is adjustable so we alter the frequency and intensity of the pulse that is delivered. The skill involved is to select the correct intensity for the condition and patient. There is now a lot of published research and clinical experience documenting which levels of electro-acupuncture treat different conditions optimally.
Guasha
Guasha began in 475 BCE in ancient China where the act of scraping the skin cleared and dispersed diseases. It was used to treat pain (acute and chronic), nausea, coughing, limited range of motion, fever, and inflammation.
Gua is translated as ‘scraping’ and sha refers to the little red or purple petechiae that emerge on the skin's surface as a result of the technique. It is a mild to firm, unidirectional pressure stroke using a blunt tool to stimulate microcirculation. It stretches the connective tissue and softens adhesions; this helps to improve blood and lymphatic circulation.
Guasha helps circulation by moving energy and blood and removing stagnation. It expels heat, fevers, and upper respiratory infections and can calm the nervous system.
Tuina
Tuina or tui-na (pronounced twee-nah) originated in ancient China. It is believed to be the oldest system of bodywork! It's one of the four main branches of traditional Chinese medicine, along with acupuncture, qi gong, and Chinese herbal medicine.
Tuina is a “needle free” traditional Chinese medicine service that restores balance and equilibrium to accelerate healing. Tuina includes a range and combination of hand and arm techniques - movements such as kneading, pressing, and stretching (with or without lotions and oils) to realign the client therapeutically. Often acupressure is incorporated to influence the energy flow.
The goal of tuina massage is to create harmony in the yin and yang of the body by getting rid of blockages and disturbances that manifest as illness, disease, and emotional issues. It can be done as deep bodywork or a more gentle, energy work treatment.
Tuina can be used to treat pain and illness or to maintain good health. It can help with stiffness, pain, insomnia, headaches, migraines, digestion, fertility, premenstrual symptoms, respiratory disorders, reproductive systems, and emotional disorders. Often used for musculoskeletal conditions, it is effective in reducing stress and encouraging relaxation. Other Chinese medicine modalities, such as cupping and guasha, may be included in the session as needed to benefit the body.
Cosmetic Acupuncture
Facial acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years and has become very popular over the past decade, especially as a botox alternative. Facial acupuncture treatments include full-body acupuncture that improves overall vitality and circulation while addressing additional underlying health and emotional concerns.
Commonly referred to as facial rejuvenation or facial acupuncture, cosmetic acupuncture is a specific treatment designed to affect and enhance the appearance of the skin and face. Our internal health and lifestyle are important to our skin health and face appearance. Emotions also contribute to wrinkles or skin concerns or inflammation.
Cosmetic acupuncture aims to create tiny micro-traumas in the dermis, which the body naturally responds to with a healing cascade. When the body is injured, this healing cascade brings attention to the area and delivers proteins for rebuilding. The procedure is a non-surgical method of reducing the signs of the aging process that will help improve complexion by triggering micro-trauma to the skin and resulting in firmer skin, reduction in wrinkles, tightening of jowls by increasing the blood flow to the facial muscles and stimulating the production of collagen and elastin.
Microneedling
Microneedling uses a gentle oscillating hand held pen with the insertion of 12 very fine short needles into the sub-epidermal layers for skin rejuvenation. This can offer skin rejuvenation from the simple enhancement of product absorption to the clinical treatment of scars and wrinkles. The fine needles create tiny punctures in the skin to help stimulate collagen and elastin production, blood circulation and tissue regeneration.
Microneedling improves skin texture, minimizes pores, reduces hair loss, stretch marks, rosacea, wrinkles, acne scars, melasma and hyperpigmentation.