Acupuncture Services
Traditional Chinese medicine uses a variety of techniques to help patients improve their health. Acupuncture is an approach frequently implemented, but supplemental procedures like cupping, moxibustion, electro acupuncture, and herbal medicine are also effective to influence change and help the body return to a balanced state. Additionally your practitioner might advise on some lifestyle changes because it is often that our daily habits contributed to our current condition.
Traditional Chinese medicine uses a variety of techniques to help patients improve their health. Acupuncture is an approach frequently implemented, but supplemental procedures like cupping, moxibustion, electro acupuncture, and herbal medicine are also effective to influence change and help the body return to a balanced state. Additionally your practitioner might advise on some lifestyle changes because it is often that our daily habits contributed to our current condition.
Acupuncture
A primary means of influencing change in the body, acupuncture is a safe and relaxing approach to balancing the energy channels that run through the body. Your practitioner will often conduct an extensive intake in order to obtain a complete health history. As a holistic medicine, every aspect of health is important in ascertaining where the underlying imbalance is so that the root cause can be identified and treated. Your acupuncturist will then insert fine, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points to allow the body to naturally return to homeostasis.
Sports Medicine Acupuncture
Sports Medicine Acupuncture combines the foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with the principles of Western sports medicine. This integrated approach assesses and treats orthopedic conditions like work, sport, and overuse related pains and injuries. During these appointments, a thorough orthopedic evaluation will be performed as well as an acupuncture assessment. Taking into consideration the biomechanics of the body and the energetics of the acupuncture channels generates a unique protocol to treating a patient’s injury and may involve the use of acupuncture needles, moxa, cupping, soft tissue release, stretching and strengthening exercises, and/or lifestyle recommendations. Overall the goal is to achieve balance within the musculoskeletal system as well as the acupuncture channels to help the body heal.
Cupping
The use of suction cups is another common protocol. It is done by placing a specially designed glass or plastic cup on the skin while creating suction by using a valve on top of the cup (or occasionally by using a flame that is promptly extinguished). Cupping is primarily used when there is stagnation which is very common when there is pain or tight muscles. Cupping will usually create a substantial bruise as the stuck energy and blood is brought to the surface of the body where it can be moved and resolved. This then allows for the underlying connective tissue and musculature to heal by releasing tension and restoring proper blood flow.
Moxibustion
Moxa is an herb also known as mugwort. When it is burned for therapeutic purposes it is called moxibustion. Moxa comes in many forms so it can be placed directly on the skin or on top of a needle or just waved over the body. It is a great tool to reduce inflammation and promote healing, to open up blocked acupuncture channels, or to nourish deficient acupuncture organs. Patients don't experience any discomfort during moxibustion, usually just a pleasant warming sensation.
Electro-acupuncture
This protocol is done by attaching tiny clips to the base of the needles. A mild current is then run through the wires in order to further activate the needles at the acupuncture points. Electro acupuncture is used to obtain more stimulation of the needles which can illicit a more profound response and reduction in symptoms for the patient.
Herbal medicine and dietary counseling
Chinese medicine views food as medicine, so it is traditionally the first course of action for healing. Your practitioner might make suggestions for dietary changes in order to promote a more efficient healing response and to achieve a deeper and better maintained level of overall balance. If patients are interested, an herbal medicine prescription may be given to supplement whatever treatment is already taking place.
