MODALITIES
What is acupuncture and how does it work?
The ancient Chinese masters believed that the body contains a well-connected network or pathways and meridians flowing throughout the entire body. Through these pathways flows our vital energy or Qi. Due to external environmental influences, lifestyle choices, diet, and emotions, the Qi of our body can stagnate and create blockages – thus leading to pain, discomfort and disease. Acupuncture works with the body’s innate healing ability to reopen the free flow of Qi and bring the patient back into a state of health.
Historically, acupuncture points have been described as energetic pores that allow entry into meridians. This has been substantiated by modern science in that acupoints are found to have lower electrical resistance than other areas of the body. These energy pores provide gateways to influence, redirect, increase, or decrease body’s vital substance, qi, thus correcting many imbalances.
Unlike allopathic medicine, which focuses on the disease as if it were separate and isolated from the patient, Chinese Medicine views the body holistically and realizes that to restore health – the whole of a person must be treated. Through the use of acupuncture, herbal formulations, and Chinese massage; homeostasis can be restored, symptomology eliminated and health and vibrancy returned to the patient.
What is this bag of twigs and sticks that I’m cooking into a tea?
Chinese Medicine implements the use of natural herbal combinations in the form of formulas to produce a desired medical effect. Unlike a western drug, which is essentially just a broad-spectrum agent to mask a symptom, a Chinese Medical formula is specifically designed by the practitioner for their particular patient – taking into account the patient’s specific condition, the root cause of the condition, the patient’s constitution and other factors.
What are these glass cups on my back?
Acupuncture practitioners generally use cupping if there is cold energy in the patient’s meridians (manifesting in the form of pain or muscle spasm). The warm air from the cupping stimulates the skin, and the suction coaxes blood to the area, which promotes localized healing. The chi is warmed and starts to flow freely down the meridians. Many diseases and disorders can benefit from cupping. The earliest writings found on the therapy from ancient China recommend its use in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Today, cupping is still used for respiratory disease, as well as digestive and gynecological disorders, headaches and dizziness, and lymphatic blockages. The common cold can be tackled with cupping, as can insomnia and soft tissue injuries.
What is Tuina?
Tuina is an Oriental Bodywork Therapy that has been used in China for 2,000 years. Tuina uses the traditional Chinese medical theory of the flow of Qi through the meridians as its basic therapeutic orientation. Through the application of massage and manipulation techniques Tuina seeks to establish a more harmonious flow of Qi through the system of channels and collaterals, allowing the body the naturally heal itself. Tuina methods include the use of hand techniques to massage the soft tissue (muscles and tendons) of the body, acupressure techniques to directly affect the flow of Qi, and manipulation techniques to realign the musculoskeletal and ligamentous relationships (bone-setting). External herbal poultices, compresses, liniments, and salves are also used to enhance the other therapeutic methods. Tuina is used in the treatment of joint injuries, nerve pain and muscle sprains, and for the treatment of internal diseases.
What is E – Stim?
Electrical stimulation uses an electrical current to cause a single muscle or a group of muscles to contract. By placing electrodes on the skin in various locations the practitioner recruits the appropriate muscle fibers causing them to contract, thus strengthening them and promoting blood supply to the affected muscle. The electrical current setting can be adjusted to allow for gentle or more forceful muscle contraction.
