Treatment Techniques

Overview:

A wholistic approach to healing begins with forming a compassionate and healing partnership.  Treatment is designed to fit your needs and your comfort.

The services provided are all part of a complete system of Chinese Medicine which includes five parts:  acupuncture, medicinals, diet, massage and exercise. 

Treatment is individualized to ensure the best outcome.  The main symptoms are considered the “branch” of the disease, and the underlying causes are considered the “root” of the disease.   Both the root and the branch are treated.  If the root cause is ignored, then symptoms may recur.
A treatment plan is designed to empower an individual to regain a sense of well-being.  During a visit, treatment may include acupuncture, moxibustion, acupressure, gentle exercise, supplement recommendations and information about diet to enhance healing.  

Acupuncture

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The benefits of acupuncture are wide-ranging. It helps the body to function better in all capacities, while also reducing pain. Acupuncture brings a calming effect to the body, mind, and spirit and ultimately helps to reduce the effects of stress. Acupuncture helps regulate the immune, hormonal, nervous and digestive systems. Other benefits include support and consultation for making healthier lifestyle choices which will reduce your susceptibility to illness or injury.

Fine, sterile, single-use only needles are gently placed in specific acupoints on your body. The needles stimulate your body’s energy, known as Qi (pronounced “chee”). The goal of this stimulation is to balance the body, to improve the function of the body’s many systems and to clear obstruction of Qi which might be causing pain or illness.

Acupuncture can help you to heal from acute or chronic problems by enhancing your body’s natural ability to heal and improving the body’s immune system.  Acupuncture treatments balance both the body and mind to allow for health and rejuvenation.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a technique used with acupuncture to treat certain types of conditions.  The herb mugwort is used on certain acupuncture points instead of needles.  The moxibustion creates a warm sensation over the point where it is used, and helps with improving circulation and decreasing inflammation when used appropriately.   It is often used during pregnancy to help turn breech babies.  (Journal of AMA, 1998)

Moxibustion, or moxa for short, can come in different forms.  One method is “pole moxa,” which looks like a cigar.  This moxa stick is lit like a very large incense stick.  For treatment, the stick is held a couple inches above the point to give gentle warmth and feels very comfortable. Direct moxa involves placing tiny rice-size pieces of the spongy form of mugwort onto the acupuncture point.  A barrier is placed between the mugwort and the skin to protect the skin, and then the mugwort is lit with an incense stick.  Patients find the sensation soothing.

Cupping

Cupping is a method of treatment that has been used traditionally for thousands of years.  Either glass or plastic cups are used to create a partial vacuum over the acupuncture points.  This method is helpful for low back ache, sprains, soft tissue injuries, and for bronchitis or asthma to help decongest the lungs.  Cups may remain stationary on the spot for several minutes, or they may be glided across a muscle group using oil or lotion to lubricate the skin.  Cupping can feel like a deep massage.

Electric Stimulation

Electric stimulation of acupuncture points has been used since 1934.  Though not an ancient technique, it is an extension of traditional methods of manipulating the needle to create a stronger effect.  Electric stimulation is much more comfortable than needle manipulation. 

Wires are clipped onto the needles, and the stimulation is adjusted to a level that is comfortable for the patient.  Some types of electric stimulation will be so gentle that there is no sensation.  Frequencies are adjusted to achieve the desired effect. 

Electric stimulation is often used for pain conditions, for muscle weakness and for addiction treatments such as smoking cessation. 

Non-Insertive Acupuncture

Toyohari is a Japanese system of meridian therapy, using non-insertive needling techniques.  This is a very gentle form of treatment and extremely effective for elderly or very weak patients. 

Shonishin is another Japanese technique used for children.  This pediatric acupuncture does not involve inserting the needles, but rather treating the “qi” on the surface of the skin using rhythmic brushing, stroking, rubbing, tapping or pressing techniques.  These techniques strengthen the child’s constitution while harmonizing and fortifying innate vital energy.

Shonishin is effective treatment for:
Failure to thrive syndrome, weak constitution, colic, excessive night crying, temper tantrums, indigestion, GERD, constipation, diarrhea, night terrors, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), allergies, asthma, colds, eczema and hives, ear infections, bedwetting, stuttering, cerebral palsy, spina bifida. 

Treatments take several minutes, but slightly longer for older children.  Children love shonishin.  Children are very sensitive, and shonishin helps them to become attuned to their bodies.  If they are able to communicate, they will learn to ask for it when they need treatment.  They will often show me the areas which need attention.

Massage

Therapeutic massage techiniques are often used in Chinese Medicine in conjunction with acupuncture.  These massage techniques follow the basic principles of creating harmony and balance in the body by stimulating the flow of Qi in the channels and soft tissue.

Tuina is Chinese for “push-grasp.”  It is used for treating soft tissues and joints with rubbing, kneading, brushing and rolling techniques.    Shiatsu, Japanese for “finger pressure” is an acupressure technique using the pressure of a finger on the acupuncture points and channels to stimulate flow of Qi in the channels.  It is more helpful for internal conditions.