Other Modalities Used with Acupuncture

Cupping
Cupping has been a part of Chinese medicine for over 2,500 years. It relieves aches and pains, improves circulation and also helps with respiratory and digestive issues. I simple place a specialized “cup” onto specific points on your body, and then use suction to draw your skin into the cups. It doesn’t hurt- it simply draws fresh blood to that area of your body, which facilitates the cleansing and strengthening of your qi(energy). The end result is a greater overall sense of health and well-being.

Electro Acupuncture
A highly effective holistic treatment for pain, nausea, and chronic ailments. In practice, it is actually very similar to traditional acupuncture. Using the exact same system of Chinese Medicine I insert very thin and sterile needles into specific points along the meridian of your body. I then attach the needles to a device that delivers gentle electrical pulses between two points. This helps restore the healthy flow of qi(energy) through your body, removing any blockages and clearing out stagnant areas, thus creating a stronger and clearer experience of health and well-being.

TDP Lamp
Thermal Design power(TDP) lamps are far infrared heating devices used to accelerate natural healing processes. The lamp, which is used at a distance from the skin, deeply heats the area being treated. It is commonly used on the upper or lower abdomen or back, in combination with needling, for cold and deficient patterns, or on painful areas in the case of injured, bi syndrome (rheumatic and arthritic conditions), etc.

Acupressure
Acupressure is based on one of the most ancient principles of healing – that simply touching a specific point on the body will release stress and improve health in the body. In an acupressure session, I apply firm pressure directly to these ‘points” on your body, which relieves your muscle tension and improves your circulation. This simple and powerful technique has been shown to be very effective in treating headaches, backaches, and even insomnia.

Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese form of energy work that cleanses and balances the energy system in the body. As a result, the body’s natural self-healing mechanisms strengthen, helping to establish optimum health. During a session, I work directly with your energy field to remove blockages, detoxify your system, and restore your vital life force energy. Reiki utilities a gentle laying of hands to conduct the necessary energy force between us. The benefits of Reiki range from the release of habitual mental/emotional stress to alleviating chronic pain.

Gua Sha
Gua sha is an ancient healing technique. In this procedure, a lubricating medium, such as massage oil, is applied to the skin of the area to be treated. A smooth-edged instrument is used by the to apply short or long strokes on the skin, typically in the area of pain or on the back parallel to the spine. This stroking motion creates raised redness (petechiae) or bruising (ecchymosis).

Pain, both acute and chronic, is the most common indication for gua sha. In the TCM tradition, pain is oftentimes caused by the stagnation of blood in the local area of discomfort. The guiding principle behind gua sha is that this technique has the ability to break up stagnation, to promote the smooth flow of blood in the area, thereby relieving pain.