Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a healing technique it has been studied and utilized for more than 2,500 years. Using ancient scientific principles, acupuncture treats illness by bringing a person’s body into harmony and balance. Acupuncture therapy is aimed at naturally promoting health and alleviating sickness by restoring the energetic balance of the body. It is a holistic way of stimulating the innate biological intelligence of the body by creating balance in the flow of Qi (energy, pronounced Chee).This energy flows through the body on channels known as meridians that connect all of our major organs. According to Chinese medical theory, illness arises when the cyclical flow of Qi in the meridians becomes unbalanced or is blocked. Acupuncture allows Qi to flow to areas where it is deficient and away from where it is in excess. This is achieved through the stimulation of very specific anatomical points, known as acupuncture points that are mainly found at specified locations along the meridians.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, there are 12 "regular" and 8 "extraordinary" meridians running vertically along the length of the human body. There are also a number of less customary channels branching off from the "regular" meridians. Acupuncture points are places along the meridians near the body's surface where Qi can be manipulated by the insertion of acupuncture needles. There also are a number of acupuncture points with specified locations outside of the meridians; these are called "extraordinary" points and often credited with special therapeutic properties. Acupuncture therapy stimulates Qi flowing in the meridian and harmonizes the body's energy to influence the health of the body.
In the few decades since its introduction to the west, acupuncture has become one of the most proven and well-known forms of "alternative" medicine. It has been used in many parts of the world for thousands of years and has helped a countless number of people. Many clinical studies have shown that acupuncture has the ability to alter various biochemical and physiological conditions to treat a wide variety of illnesses. It is one of the most proven and well-known forms of alternative therapies. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) recognize that acupuncture is safe and effective for treating a wide range of health concerns.
Acupuncture needles are typically made of stainless-steel, flexible, sterilized and as fine as a human hair. Once needles have been used they are disposed of to prevent contamination
Auriculotherapy
Auriculotherapy is the stimulation of the auricle of the external ear for the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions in other parts of the body. It is also known as ear acupuncture or auricular acupuncture when the stimulation is achieved by the insertion of acupuncture needles, whereas the term auriculotherapy often refers to electrical stimulation of the surface of ear reflex points.
Auriculotherapy is based on the theory that the ear is a microsystem which reflects the entire body, represented on the auricle, the outer portion of the ear. Conditions affecting the physical, mental or emotional health of the patient are assumed to be treatable by stimulation of the surface of the ear exclusively. Specific points on the ear can be stimulated by manual pressure, referred to as auricular acupressure or ear reflexology. These points can also be stimulated with lasers, magnets, seeds and ear pellets.
Auriculotherapy was first developed by the French neurologist Paul Nogierin 1957. It is a treatment diffusing in all over the world, and its patterns follow the principles of Chinese acupuncture. Modern research is confirming the efficacy of ear acupuncture mostly in the treatment of pain and of anxiety related disorders. They discovered that tissue treated with needles released an elevated level of adenosine, a natural compound that the body uses as a local pain reliever. The other theory suggests that the needles stimulate nerves, causing an increase in endorphins. These endorphins block pain receptors in the brain, which in turn reduces the overall pain felt by a patient. The release of endorphins also has a calming effect on the patient.
Auriculotherapy is often used for detoxification such as smoking cessation, drugs, and weight loss, but can also be very useful for many other types of physical, mental or emotional disorders.
Cupping
Cupping is the method of applying a glass cup in which a partial vacuum is created over an acupoint for therapeutic purpose. There are many styles and techniques of cupping, all of which use suction in cups to draw energy, blood, and fluids to the surface; to pull toxins out of the body, eliminate obstructions of Qi (energy) to promote circulation. The cups can be various shapes including balls or bells, and may range in size from 1 to 3 inches (25 to 76 mm) for the diameter of the opening. Plastic and glass are the most common materials used to make the cups. Suction can be created using fire or mechanical devices (hand or electrical pumps). Fire cupping uses a cotton ball soaked in 70% alcohol and lighting it. The vacuum can be created with a flaming cotton ball (or a mechanical suction pump. )
Massage oil may be applied to create a better seal as well as allowing the cups to glide over muscle groups in an act called "moving cupping". Skin marking is common after the cupping. This may be a simple red ring that disappears quickly or round bruises over the affected area that may last 3 to 5 days. Cupping is most often used for muscular pain and tightness, but can also be used to treat cellulite, colds, digestive disorders, and much more.
GuaSha
Guasha (pronounced "gwa-shah") is an integral part of acupuncture and TCM-related techniques, a scraping therapy, allowing Qi and blood to flow through the body. Gua means to scrape and Sha means redness. The techniques involve the use of instruments to apply pressure or scrape the skin along the meridians to promote normal circulation and metabolic processes.
During a treatment, a special Guasha oil is applied to the skin. This oil is used to protect the skin.
The tool used in Guasha is called a scraper. This tool is usually made of jade or slice of water buffalo horn because it conducts the energy (Qi) well. During the scraping spots, the places may appear to have bruises where Qi blockages are in the body. These bruises can vary from red to deep red. The darker colours indicate the deeper blockage and often this means there is more chronic disorder. The red spots disappear completely within 3 to 7 days in a normal condition.
Drink plenty of water after a Guasha treatment, on the day of treatment and the day after, it is important to drain the waste from the bladders and kidneys.
Gua Sha is used whenever a patient has pain associated with an acute or chronic disorder. In addition to resolving musculoskeletal pain, it also prevents common cold, flu, bronchitis, asthma, and any chronic disorder involving pain, congestion of Qi and blood.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is one of the main therapeutic modalities used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Chinese name for moxibustion is jiu(灸). The procedure is a focused heat therapy which involves the burning of the Chinese Herbs (Mugwort) over specific acupuncture points to positively stimulate the body in a variety of ways. The moxa transfers warmth deeply into the acupoint and increases circulation in the body, is used to activate and move energy, inducing a smoother flow of Qi and blood, as well as to treat the conditions associated with the "cold" or "yang deficiencies". In Chinese Medicine, It is claimed that moxibustion (militates against) acts on the cold and dampness in the body.
There are two types of moxibustion: direct and indirect.
Direct moxibustion uses a small, cone-shaped amount of moxa placed on top of an acupuncture point and burned.
Indirect moxibustion uses a moxa stick when a practitioner lights and holds it close to the area being treated for several minutes until the area turns red. Another form of indirect moxibustion uses both acupuncture needles and moxa. A needle is inserted into an acupoint and retained. The moxa is placed on top of the needle and ignited, generating heat to the point and the surrounding area. After the desired effect is achieved, the moxa is extinguished and the needle is removed. The patients will experience a pleasant heating sensation, but should not experience any pain. Indirect moxibustion is the more popular form of use currently because there is a lower risk of burning.
