Non Needling Therapies

Many of us are frankly afraid of needles.  That is generally because the experience of needles is with a shot or a blood draw at a doctor's office.  Acupuncture needles are much smaller than the needles one would find at a doctor's office, in fact at least 12 acupuncture needles would fit into one of those needles!  That being said, Oriental Medicine is more than just acupuncture, it is a full medical system with many effective modalities.  Many of the following therapies can be added to an acupuncture treatment, or may be stand alone therapy possibilities.  These therapies are effective for babies to elders and many can be taught to you by your practitioner for self and family care at home.

Chinese Herbal Medicine   
Chinese Herbal Medicine is a natural, safe, effective way to treat many acute and chronic diseases.  Herbal medicine is effective at boosting the body's function to restore and heal itself.  Chinese herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat conditions such as infertility, pregnancy & postpartum support, irregular menstruation, insomnia, hormone imbalances, digestive disorders, respiratory disorders, arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and many, many more conditions.

Chinese medicine can also assist in decreasing Western medication side effects when using multiple medications.  It is important to consult with a Certified Chinese Herbalist to develop a specialized formula to treat your conditions. 

When Chinese Herbal Medicine is part treatment plan, it is giving yourself a daily treatment, enabling us to go further when there is an office appointment.

Cupping  
Cupping is like a reverse deep tissue massage. The cup is most commonly applied to the back or neck using suction to treat the affected area.  This vacuum effect draws the skin into the cup. Cupping increases movement of fresh blood to the area, release of toxins, stimulates acupuncture points, increases circulation of blood and lymph, relaxes tight muscles, and reduces inflammation.

Cupping is commonly used for various conditions in the body such as: back and neck tension, sciatic and leg pain, migraines, and fibromyalgia.  It can also be a great benefit to conditions such as menstrual problems and digestive issues such as stomachache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.  Cupping also does amazing work to clear out your lungs after an illness.

Moxabustion  
Moxa has a special effect to stimulate and maintain white blood cells, whose job is to ward off infection.  It has been shown to activate the function of lymphatic tissues that produce white blood cells such as: bone marrow, spleen, tonsils, lymph nodes, and thymus tissue.  Moxa can also increase the speed in which the white blood cells travel to the injured area. 

When there is a deficiency in the body this is often connected with a lowered immune system.  Moxabustion is an excellent method to use for prevention of illness, as well as the treatment of a lowered immune system. 

Moxa is especially effective in generating healthy blood, body fluids, and vitality of body functions. 

Mineral Infrared Therapy Lamp (TDP)
The Mineral Infrared Therapy Lamp (TDP) has won many international awards for its effectiveness in treating diverse medical conditions.  When the lamp is heated it emits electromagnetic waves in the infrared range, stimulating the body to heal by influencing the body's own trace minerals.  The cells below the skin then absorb these trace minerals. 

Functions of the mineral infrared lamp include: acceleration of decomposition of unstable or dead cells, balancing the nervous system, decreasing inflammation or edema, improving microcirculation, increasing enzyme activity, easing pain, promoting cell growth, and promoting metabolism. 

Illnesses that respond well to mineral infrared therapy:  acute diarrhea, angina, back pain, lumbago, Bell's palsy, burns, skin ulcers, chronic bronchitis, ear ache, insomnia, irregular menstruation, muscular pain, pelvic inflammation, prostatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, sinusitis, skin disorders such as eczema, alopecia, and injury to the soft tissue. 

Ion Cords, also called Ion Pumping Cords
Ion Cords can be used to treat at a constitutional or root level, and also symptomatically.  Most treatments are based on a system of abdominal palpation along with pulse and questioning to determine the proper diagnosis.  The same type of treatment can also be achieved using copper and zinc discs on specific points to recreate the proper ionic balance.

Dietary Recommendations 
Chinese Diet Therapy is a safe and easy way to help bring the body back to balance.  Diet therapy deals with the therapeutic properties of foods, their effects on health, and the therapeutic use of food in the prevention and treatment of illness. 

To maintain balance in the body it is best to eat foods that promote health and prevent and treat disease.  There are many common foods and natural cures.  As a general rule, moderation of meals and eating clean healthy food will promote health and provide the best diet hygiene.

Massage & Acupressure  
Tuina, Chinese Massage, is a series of pressing, tapping, kneading, and stretching techniques that are typically employed on a specific area of the body.  The practitioner may perform orthopedic test to more precisely determine the location and nature of the problem.

Zen Shiatsu, Japanese Massage, utilizing the meridians and not just points to diagnose and treat the whole body through stretches and rhythmic pressing along meridians.  This is a physical and energetic treatment that addresses the health of organ functions, improves energy flow, restores balance in the musculoskeletal system, improves circulation, and calms the nervous system.  If Shiatsu is done as a single treatment, the diagnosis is done by palpating the abdomen, called hara, to determine which organ systems need to be addressed and balanced.

Shonishin, Japanese Pediatric Massage, with children's energetics in balance young, you are going to head off a lot of issues along with promoting a lifestyle of inner peace.  This is a simple and gentle technique that can be taught to parents to treat their children at home.  Typically Shonishin is done from birth to age 12, but can be done for adults as well.

Sotai is an exercise that is used in the treatment room, and taught to you to continue at home.  Sotai is a movement with breath in the direction of ease that creates profound structural changes. 

Foot Reflexology involves stimulating reflex points located on the foot and ankle that correspond to specific areas and organs of the body and when stimulated, produce a therapeutic effect.