Most people know that one way to feel better is with acupuncture needles. You go to your acupuncturist feeling bad. I put in a few needles. You leave feeling lighter, energized, more pain-free.
Using acupuncture needles to heal is part of a broader medical system called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). By observing body systems and the links between symptoms, TCM developed a medical philosophy about the flow of Qi, or life force. When Qi is balanced, you feel healthy. When it is disrupted, blocked or unbalanced, poor health is the result.
In acupuncture, needles are placed at specific points along the meridians to balance the Qi.
But did you know that needles are just one way to balance Qi?
TCM is a flexible system. The principles can be applied in many ways and to many different therapies to achieve the same results.
In the following 2 part series, we will look at the many ways you can balance Qi. This first part of the series describes the TCM therapies that require the help of a practitioner.
TCM Therapies You Get in an Office
Acupuncture Variations
There are many variations of acupuncture. Some techniques attach electrodes to the needles to deliver a small current to the acupuncture point. Other techniques focus solely on the points in your ears, hands or scalp. There are even therapies that use sound to stimulate the needles.
Herbal Medicine
TCM has a sophisticated pharmacy of herbal medicines. Most of the medicinal formulas are herbal but some formulas include animal or mineral ingredients as well. Unlike Western herbology, Traditional Chinese Medicine does not use single herb remedies; its formulas can have as many as 18 ingredients.
There are many ways to take the herbs. Traditionally people boiled the herbs to make a decoction. This method is time consuming and, depending on the herbs, can taste terrible. To make the herbs easier to take, more and more TCM formulas are available as liquid extracts, tablets, capsules or granules. When a formula is used topically, it is available as a lotion, cream, salve or poultice.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion uses heat to warm acupuncture points. There are 2 ways to heat the points—direct and indirect. The direct method uses tiny cones of moxa (dried mugwort) placed on the skin. The moxa is lit and the combination of the heat and the medicinal qualities of the moxa stimulates circulation and balances the flow of Qi. In some cases, burning the skin is desirable as part of the treatment. Sometimes burns are an unintended outcome.
The indirect method is more popular because the practitioner can control the heat. The practitioner lights a cigar-like stick of moxa and holds it near the skin until the skin is warm. Alternately, acupuncture needles are inserted into the skin and warmed with burning moxa.
Cupping
In a cupping treatment, the practitioner uses suction to pull on skin and soft tissue. This pulling stimulates circulation and promotes healing.
There are 2 ways to create suction—with heat or a pump. In the first technique, the practitioner takes a plastic or glass cup the size of a baby food jar and ignites a flame inside of it. The flame causes a vacuum inside the cup and it is immediately placed on the skin. The second technique uses a pump to create a vacuum inside a rubber cup. In both cases the vacuum inside the cup pulls on the skin to create the therapeutic effects.
Gua Sha
Gua Sha is an ancient TCM therapy typically used to treat pain, remove toxins, improve circulation and move stuck Qi.
In this treatment the skin is coated with oil and rubbed or scraped with a rounded instrument like a coin, spoon or piece of buffalo horn. Typically the back, neck or shoulders are scraped, but occasionally the chest or abdomen as well. The strokes follow the direction of the ribs and spine and leave distinctive long, red patches on the skin.
Acu-wave Therapy
The Qi machine generates a wave throughout the body and has been utilized for nearly 40 years. The wave like motion helps with lymphatic movement. Acu-wave is an effective therapy for Qi and blood stagnation.
Acu-laser Therapy
This therapy stimulates acupuncture points without the use of needles. Research validates the healing effects of cold lasers and their ability to reduce pain and inflammation and stimulate the body’s innate healing response.
Auricular Therapy
This therapy is an acupuncture treatment performed on the ear. The ear is regarded as a complete representation of the body (micro system) and is able to affect all aspects of physiology. This procedure strongly promotes Qi and blood in the channels and adjusts organ functions.
Earthing Acupuncture
Elements Acupuncture may be one of the first clinics to combine acupuncture with earthing directly using the needles on the earth meridians. Combining the two proven modalities produces a synergistic effect, aiding in the body’s natural repair mechanisms utilizing the earth’s negative electrons.
Digital Meridian Imaging
A computerized tool used to analyze and document your energetic status of the acupuncture meridians. Our bio-communication systems allow the practitioner to utilize this information to more effectively balance your body’s regulatory systems for optimal function and health.
Heat Plasters
Heat activated plasters enhanced with a traditional blend of Chinese herbs are applied to troubled parts of the body. This therapy promotes general physical and mental well being, has a pleasant and relaxing effect on the body, soothes pain and reduces inflammation.
Herbal Consultations
Herbal consultations are performed by licensed health care professionals with training in herbal diagnosis and medicine. Your practitioner use the Chinese differential diagnosis to diagnose and formulate herbal medicines that are right for you. Functional and digital tests may be required for more complex health challenges.
Pelvic Correction Technique
Specialized technique designed to help re-balance and maintain proper alignment through the pelvis. Designed to address lateral hip rotation and/or hip elevation by addressing neuromuscular skeletal (muscles, bones, joints and ligaments) imbalances.
IMRS 2000 Pro (PEMF)
Designed for optimizing health, the IMRS 2000 Magnetic Resonance System delivers. Featured on the “Dr. Oz Show” as a revolutionary approach to pain management. Research has shown this technology helps tap into a person’s innate healing potential.
PEMF Magnapulse 100P
Worlds leading pulsed electromagnetic field device, designed to activate the body’s natural healing mechanisms. This PEMF device is used as an FDA off label therapy.
Additional Therapies
Bio-feedback
BT-7 BioTuner
Guided Imagery
21 Day Detoxification
Psych-K
Gold Ratio-Sound Therapy
Exercise with Oxygen
