Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
When you book an appointment, you may receive acupuncture along with other Chinese Medicine modalities like cupping, gua sha, or nutritional counseling. Each session considers a person’s unique constitution, lifestyle, and goals to create a customized treatment plan. Chinese Medicine is known to address a variety of conditions such as physical pain, inflammatory responses, scar healing, anxiety, digestive health, asthma, headaches, insomnia, skin conditions, emotional health, and more.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture 針灸 is a branch of Chinese Medicine that uses thin needles to treat a variety of conditions. These needles stimulate the body’s natural healing response. An acupuncturist analyzes a patient’s signs, symptoms, pulse, and tongue to diagnose and treat what is known as a “pattern of disharmony".”
What to expect
Your acupuncturist will discuss your goals for treatment and ask comprehensive questions about your body systems. Acupuncture needles are inserted and retained as the patient relaxes sitting or laying down. All needles are single-use, sterile, medical grade pieces of stainless steel and are disposed of in a sharps container after usage.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion 艾灸, or “moxa,” is the burning of dried mugwort (artemisia argyi) over points on the body. This warming and tonifying method is effective for treating a variety of conditions such as joint pain, menstrual issues, and is commonly used to turn breech babies. Moxa strengthens Qi and Yang, warms the channels, and dries Damp to support the Qi mechanism.
There are many types of moxibustion. Your acupuncturist may place moxa directly over your body or into a vessel or an object to burn. The smoke smell may be a bit strong for some, so please alert your practitioner if you have any sensitivities.
Cupping
Cupping 拔罐法 uses glass, silicon, or plastic suction cups to reduce pain, increase blood flow to an area, and soothe respiratory illnesses. This technique has become especially popular over the last few years due to use by Olympic athletes! According to East Asian Medicine, cupping works by moving stagnant Qi and Blood, dispelling Cold-Damp, and Releasing the Exterior. The pink to deep-purple circular marks that are left behind are an indication of Qi and Blood being moved. These marks should be kept warm, dry, and covered until they fade away.
Gua Sha
Gua Sha 刮痧 uses the unidirectional pressing and stroking of smooth-edged tools to treat acute and chronic pain, respiratory conditions, and increase circulation. Traditionally, this technique is performed on various body surfaces using soup spoons, coins, or stone instruments to move Qi and Blood, Clear Heat, and Release the Exterior. Similar to cupping, the pink to deep-purple marks left by Gua Sha should be kept warm, dry, and covered until they fade.