Treatment Methods

  The act of piercing the skin with ultrafine stainless steel needles, which penetrate anywhere from .5 to 1 inch deep. The needles, and their precise placement, are believed to realign one’s energy force by prompting a healing response within the body. The practice was first documented in approximately 100 B.C.; today more than 10 million treatments are administered annually in the United States.

 The effectiveness of these custom herbal medicine is directly correlated with the doctor’s ability to prescribe the correct combination based on the pattern of disharmony diagnosis. Unlike over-the-counter herbs, these formulas are specially mixed for each individual and are often modified as the healing process progresses.  

 Cupping is supposed to draw fluid into the area; the discoloration is due to broken blood vessels just beneath the skin, much like a bruise. Cupping has been popular in Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures going back thousands of years, but increasing numbers of people worldwide have been adopting it. 

 Moxa is a method of heating specific acupuncture points on the body by burning an herb material close to the skin.  Moxa can be used to prevent diseases and maintain health as part of tonification treatments to help strengthen the organs and immune system. It warms the meridians and expels cold. It can be used to promote circulation over areas of chronic pain or muscle tension. 

Guasha is the practice of using a tool to apply pressure and scrape the skin to relieve pain and tension. Guasha aims to move energy, known as qi or chi, around the body. The treatment involves using a tool to rub the skin in long stroke, applying enough pressure to create minor bruising. Guasha may help to break down scar tissue and connective tissue, improving movement in the joints

  Tuina, along with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, are the main components of Traditional Chinese Medicine. As such, Tuina can be used to treat specific areas, or it can be used to improve the overall Qi or energy flow throughout the body. Because Tuina is a complete system, the treatment often helps both these components at the same time.