Using the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Five Element Theory & Japanese Meridian Therapy the acupuncturist will examine you by looking, listening, asking questions, pulse and abdominal diagnosis. Based on the diagnostic criteria an individualized treatment protocol of acupuncture points will be chosen. According with Clean Needle Technique an acupuncture treatment will be given.
A thorough intake involving your health history and life history will be assessed in your first treatment and to allow an 1Hr & 1/2 f for this initial visit.
Very fine acupuncture needles are inserted into a number of points on your body. The needles stimulate Qi of the body. The poetic allegory of water is often used to describe acupuncture. The flow of Qi in acupuncture meridians is likened to streams and rivers, which emerge from the depths of the body into the outer reaches of your head, arms and legs. At times the waterways can become blocked as when a dam is created by a beaver. This blockage inhibits the free flow of water (qi and blood of the body). At other times, there is not enough water (qi and blood) to nourish the surrounding tissues. On palpation, an acupuncture point most in need of stimulation will become responsive dependent upon the patient. The acupuncture needle can stimulate the appropriate response, whether that response clears the dam or brings forth the necessary water.
Other services provided under Acupuncture are the stimulation of acupuncture points with the use of an electrical stimulation unit, Manaka chords, cupping, guasha, non-insertion needling, acupressure/Amma therapy, and moxibustion (heat therapy).
Moxa is an herb; mugwort, that is burned above the skin or on the skin with protective ointment.
Manaka Ion Pumping chords uses the body’s own Qi to rejuvenate the body areas that maybe lacking in Qi. Each clip is attached to a needle and there is no outside source of electricity just your own body. This is quite different then Electrical Stimulation acupuncture as that uses an outside box unit to gently use electricity at an acupuncture point.
Cupping is a technique that uses glass or plastic cups that are placed on chosen areas to stimulate a Qi response.
Guasha can be done using tools with a smooth edge that is used by applying pressure and scraping across the skin.
Non-insertion needling is just that – no needles go into the skin. One can still elicit a response of Qi by placing the needle tip on the skin.
Amma Therapy is a technique created by Tina Sohn of using one’s hands and activating Meridians with specific massage movements and pressure.