Adjunct Therapies
The therapies listed below may be added onto your acupuncture session to increase the healing benefits of your treatment. We will discuss the modality in detail and decide if it feels right for you before it is performed. These therapies are incredibly relaxing and will only expedite your healing. As always, if you have questions, please ask! The goal is to keep you informed and comfortable with where we are headed with your treatments.
GUA SHA
Gua sha is a natural, alternative therapy that involves scraping your skin with a massage tool to improve your circulation and reduce inflammation. Traditionally, short or long strokes are used to stimulate microcirculation of the soft tissue, which increases blood flow. Using massage oil on your skin, the tool is used to repeatedly scrape your skin in a downward motion bringing up what we call “sha” or “sand.” This sha that arises is a sign that stagnation or pathogens are venting up to the skin level.
Gua sha is generally performed on a person’s back, buttocks, neck, arms, and legs. A gentle version of it is even used on the face as a facial technique for facial rejuvenation. I may apply mild pressure, and gradually increase intensity. Mostly, this therapy feels like a deep tissue massage where, the harder the pressure, the more benefit you’ll receive.
MOXIBUSTION (MOXA)
Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy in which dried plant materials called "moxa" are burned very near the surface of the skin, often times with the use of a medium to act as a barrier. The intention is to warm and invigorate the flow of Qi in the body and dispel certain pathogenic influences. Moxa is usually made from the dried leafy material of Chinese mugwort (Artemesia or Ai Ye).
Moxa material is compressed into a stick or pole, looking not unlike an oversized cigar that can be lit and allowed to smolder, producing a unique form of very penetrating heat. The smoldering moxa stick is held about an inch or two over specific areas or acupuncture points until the area reddens and becomes suffused with warmth. It is not uncommon for patients receiving moxibustion to report a sudden flooding of warmth that quickly radiates along a specific pathway away from the site of application. This is a good result, as it indicates the arrival of the Qi and signals that the flow of Qi and blood have been freed in the channel.
Moxibustion is most often used for —> pain due to injury or arthritis, especially in "cold" patterns where the pain naturally feels better with the application of heat, digestive problems and irregular elimination, gynecological and obstetrical conditions, including breech presentation in late term pregnancy, PCOS, Endometriosis, and infertility, & protection against cold and flu.
I often do both acupuncture and moxibustion at the same time, when appropriate. I believe that the therapies increase each other's effectiveness when used together.
E-STIM
Electroacupuncture is similar to acupuncture, however, when using an E-Stim machine, two needles are connected by a single lead and hooked up to the machine. A mild electric current passes between these needles during treatment. This current generally applies more stimulation to the chosen points than needle twirling or other hand manipulation techniques that might be otherwise used.
A typical session may look like the following:
Complete evaluation of your symptoms and select points for treatment.
Insert a needle at the treatment point and another needle nearby.
Once the needles are inserted to the correct depth, electrodes are used to connect the needles to a special electroacupuncture machine.
After the electrodes are attached, I’ll turn on the machine. Electroacupuncture machines have adjustable current and voltage settings. Low voltages and frequencies will be used at first, though I may adjust the frequency and voltage of the current during treatment.
The electric current pulsates, alternating between the two needles.
Generally, a session might last between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on your symptoms and constitution. E-Stim should NEVER hurt, instead, what you’ll feel is a pulsating, vibration, or buzzing at the site of the insertions. That pulsation will last for the duration of the treatment as it is stimulating the point using electric current, however, you will become accustom to the sensations and the intensity felt will lessen as the session continues.
AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE
Ear acupuncture is a microsystem technique that involves the insertion of various types of needles (including “ear seeds”) into predetermined points and points with altered bio-electrical conduction of the external ear. Our ears have many nerve endings and acupuncture needles can stimulate these nerves efficiently and with great effect.
Auricular acupuncture can be used for a wide range of indications, and it is especially useful to relieve pain, calm the mind, treat allergies and infectious diseases, regulate endocrine system disorders, treat chronic disease and functional disorders, insufficient lactation, smoking cessation, weight management, PTSD, substance abuse, motion sickness, and withdrawal syndrome.