Acupuncture | Related Therapies
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used for centuries to maintain and restore health and is still one of the most commonly applied forms of Chinese medicine. It involves the insertion of thin, sterile needles to balance qi, the body's energetic foundation. Acupuncture is commonly used alongside treatments that enhance its therapeutic effect: herbal therapy, tui na (Chinese massage), cupping, moxibustion, e-stim. Scroll down to read more about the benefits of each of these therapies.
> How it Works
The pathways of qi, called meridians, make up an intricate network that ties together all bodily functions, and are accessed with specific groups of acupuncture points. Together, these points influence the flow of qi within the meridians to bring forth balance. When qi is unable flow freely and in an ordered way, illness emerges; when proper flow is reestablished, health returns.
> What it Treats
Acupunctures foundational influence on the body allows its treatment of a broad spectrum of health conditions. Below are only a few, all of which have been identified by the World Health Organization.
- Stress, insomnia, anxiety, depression
- Diabetes, hepatitis, asthma, hypertension
- Impotence, infertility, morning sickness, menstrual disorders
- Headaches, dizziness, hay fever, sinus infections
- Constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, hemorrhoids
- Neck pain, back pain, tendonitis, frozen shoulder, arthritis
- Enuresis and urinary tract infection
- Neuralgia, palsy, stroke
Chinese Massage (tui na)
Tui na is the oldest form of massage in the world, one from which most other massage therapies are derived, including shiatsu. Among other benefits, tui na can:
- Relieve pain & relax the body
- Stimulate the immune system & benefit the heart
Cupping
This technique makes use of glass hemispheres (cups) to create a mild to strong suction action on the surface of the body. This technique can be combined with therapeutic oils to act as a type of massage. Some of the benefits of cupping:
- Soothe muscles & decrease pain
- Stimulate the immune system & promote circulation
Moxibustion
Moxa, taken from the Japanese mogusa, is a technique that applies heat using sifted artemisia leaf. This fluffy substance is burned on top of acupuncture needles or directly on the skin to nourish, warm, and relax. Among other benefits, moxibustion can:
- Promote healing & relieve pain
- Regulate digestion & promote immunity
E-Stim
This popular clinical technique is the application of electro-current stimulation to acupuncture needles. Some of the benefits of E-stim techniques:
- Improve circulation & relieve pain
- Benefit sleep & reduce swelling and edema
