Treatment
Health and Wellness Acupuncture customizes treatment plans that are rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) to best fit the needs of an individual. Each session /sessions include a combination of:
- Acupuncture
- Chinese Herbal Recommendations—additional cost for actual formulas
- Eastern Nutritional Advice
- Accessory Techniques (Electro-acupuncture, Moxibustion, Gua Sha, and Cupping)
Acupuncture
Acupuncture originated in China more than 2000 years ago, and it is one of the oldest, most frequently used, forms of medicine in theworld. The term acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques. The most common of these is the use of small, disposable, sterile needles placed gently into specific acupuncture points.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine is a major component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and has been used for over 3000 years. Before pharmaceuticals (and even before the use of acupuncture needles), herbal remedies were used to heal and balance the human body. Chinese herbs have shown their effectiveness under the scrutiny of both empirical studies and modern clinical trials. These herbs can be used to augment the treatment of a particular chemical imbalance in the body. They work together with, or sometimes take the place of, acupuncture and other medicines. Unlike most pharmaceuticals, herbal prescriptions in Chinese Medicine are tailor-made for the individual. Chinese herbal medicine is a major aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which focuses on restoring a balance of energy, body, and spirit to maintain health rather than to treat a particular disease or medical condition. Herbs are used with the goal of restoring balance by nourishing the body.
Accessory Techniques which may be used to Complement Treatment:
Electro-acupuncture
Electro-acupuncture is the use of a safe, gentle, electrical current (attached with leads to needles) to stimulate different acupuncture points. This practice, which augments the use of regular acupuncture, can restore health and well-being and is particularly good for treating pain.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is the use of a dried leaf, called mugwort, which is rolled into a stick, or placed on the end of needles, and subsequently burned as a warming therapy during treatment. Practitioners use moxa to warm regions and acupuncture points with the intention of stimulating circulation to the affected area.
Gua Sha
Gua means to scrape or rub. Sha is a ‘reddish, elevated, skin rash’ (aka petechiae). This technique uses a specific tool to gently rub the surface of the skin and increase the circulation to a particular area of the body. Gua Sha is used whenever a patient has pain associated with an acute or chronic disorder. In addition to resolving musculo-skeletal pain, Gua Sha is used to treat as well as prevent the common cold, flu, bronchitis, asthma, and chronic disorders involving pain.
Cupping
In cupping, the practitioner uses glass or bamboo cups to create a vacuum next to the patient’s skin in order to increase warmth and circulation. It is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as the common cold, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Cupping is also used to treat back, neck, shoulder, and other musculoskeletal pain.