Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine

Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (AOM) is a complete holistic health care system, over 2,000 years old, which treats illness and improves wellbeing.​

3 Primary Effects Of Acupuncture:

• Relieves Pain
• Decreases Inflammation
• Restores Balance

Acupuncture is recognized by leading national & international health organizations to be effective in treating a wide variety of medical problems, decrease pain, enhance organ functions, build energy, improve mobility, calm the mind and promote the body’s natural healing process.​

In our practice, we diagnose by assessing the whole body. We incorporate acupuncture along with other Asian therapies including, dry needling, cupping, GuaSha, Moxa, TuiNa(bodywork) & dietary therapy.

Additional Therapies

Cupping

Cupping is an ancient Chinese therapy that stimulates the flow of blood and Qi within the superficial layers of muscle.  A partial vacuum is created in small glass or silicon cups placed on the skin either by means of heat or suction.  When the cup is left in place on the skin for a few minutes, the localized vacuum effect stimulates the tissue to release and allows healing to take place. Sometimes, the treatment leaves a temporary redness in circular shapes but will dissipate over 2-3 days.

Cupping therapy has been further developed as a means to open the Meridians of the body. Meridians are the tunnels  in the body by which energy flows to every part of the body, including every organ and tissue. There are 14 major meridian networks throughout that enable invigorating energy to travel the whole length of the body. Cupping is a superior way of opening those passages.

Cupping has also been found to affect the body up to several inches below the skin, causing tissues to release toxins, activate the lymphatic system, clear colon blockages, help activate and clear the veins, arteries and capillaries, activate the skin, clear stretch marks and improve varicose veins.

Moxa

Moxa (Moxibustion) is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves burning an herb with numerous healing properties on or near the skin at acupuncture points. Moxa may be burned on the handle of the needle, above the skin with a warming device, or on the skin with a barrier like salt or a slice of ginger. The purpose of moxibustion, as with most aspects of Asian medicine, is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of Qi, and maintain general health. The patient will experience a pleasant deeply warming sensation.

Electrical Stimulation

Electroacupuncture is quite similar to traditional acupuncture in that the same points are stimulated during treatment. As with traditional acupuncture, needles are inserted on specific points along the body that make up a treatment strategy. The acupuncture points are micro-stimulated by attaching small clips to the needles that are linked by cords to a battery operated device that delivers a gentle continuous electric pulse. These devices are used to adjust the frequency and intensity of the impulse being delivered, depending on the condition being treated. Electroacupuncture uses two needles at time so that the impulses can pass from one needle to the other. Several pairs of needles can be stimulated simultaneously.

Gua Sha

Gua sha is a traditional Oriental medicine technique commonly practiced in clinical settings. When the skin is pressed and a temporary red mark appears, the mark is referred to as Sha. Sha is created when blood and Qi are stuck and unable to circulate properly. Pain and disease occur when the blood and Qi are not circulating. When Sha is present, a round-edged instrument is used to scrape over the skin with light pressure. This technique ‘raises the Sha’ and small, red petechiae appear. The sha typically lasts 1 to 3 days. When the tissues are healthy, it is difficult to raise sha.

Raising Sha moves the qi and blood, promoting circulation and metabolic processes. The patient experiences immediate relief from pain, fever, chills, cough, or nausea. Gua Sha is commonly used to treat acute infections, upper respiratory diseases, digestive problems, acute and chronic pain, and many other disorders.

Auricular Therapy

Auricular therapy is one of the most important components of traditional Chinese acupuncture. It is a specialized form where the auricle (ear) is used to stimulate various organs and meridians in the body.

Auricular therapy is widely used for many conditions, including mood disorders, obesity, pain, and other conditions. This medical system emphasizes a holistic approach to medicine, an approach that treats the whole person. The acupuncture points found on the ear help to regulate the body’s internal organs, structures, and functions.

Ear acupuncture points may be stimulated for a longer period of time by using ear seeds or ear tacks. Ear seeds are small seeds from the Vaccaria plant. These seeds are held in place on the ear with a small piece of adhesive tape. Ear seeds may be left in the ear for a few days or up to a week. Ear tacks are very small needles with an adhesive backing. Ear tacks are inserted into the ear and left in the ear for a few days.