A Wholistic Experience
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles in specific points on the body. These locations are determined using a Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis of your current condition, the state of balance in your body and your natural constitution. Needles are similar in width to a hair and their insertion can be painless. There are many benefits including relieving pain, inducing relaxation, increasing circulation, aiding in mental clarity, and reducing anxiety and stress.
CUPPING
A thin layer of oil or lotion is applied and glass or silicone cups are place on the surface of the skin creating suction. The cups may be stationary or slid across the body area. Cupping draws blood to the surface and will often leave marks on the skin that may resemble bruises. The colours of the skin are diagnostic for your practitioner and normally resolve within a week. Pain and respiratory conditions are commonly treated with this modality.
MOXIBUSTION
Moxibustion is a therapeutic application of heat created by burning dried mugwort (artemisia vulgaris) either near the body or directly on the skin. This treatment, often referred to as ‘moxa’, can be used in conjunction with or independent of acupuncture needles. The deep penetrating heat has many healing properties including stimulating tissue repair, improving organ function and strengthening the body’s immune functions.
Japanese style moxibustion uses tiny ‘cones’ of moxa placed directly on the skin over a barrier cream. The heat penetrates deep into the specific point on the body without burning or damaging the skin.
TUI NA MASSAGE
Tui Na is a form of bodywork based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Various manual techniques are applied either over clothing or directly on the skin. Accupressure, kneading, pressing, shaking, rolling and stretching may all be used to encourage free flow and balance in the channels and nourish targeted areas of the body.
GUA SHA
Practitioners use a smooth edged Gua Sha tool to scrape the skin stimulating circulation, reducing inflammation and encouraging healing. A small amount of oil is commonly applied to reduce friction and the tool is repeatedly moved in short or long strokes over the affected area. Some people may experience some lasting discolouration of the skin in the area, which should resolve in hours to a few days.
NUTRITIONAL GUIDANCE
Adjusting the foods you eat can have an impact on the function of your body, influencing it's state of balance and impacting how you feel. Food can be part of your treatment and making specific changes in conjunction with seeing you acupuncturist can help changes happen more quickly and last longer. This is not a diet and rather than restriction, we discuss foods that help and hinder your condition and discuss appropriate alternative that work for you and your lifestyle.