|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wood |
Fire |
Earth |
Metal |
Water |
Acupuncture Treatments and Techniques
A system of natural healing
Acupuncture
is a 5,000-year-old Chinese system of
natural healing.
This ancient healing art
does not use drugs or surgery to treat the body.
Rather, fine
sterile needles
are inserted into specific points
of the body to restore a balanced flow of
energy.
Heat and electrical stimulation may also be used
in acupuncture
treatment.
Needle insertion
While acupuncture can involve a variety of treatment methods it is most often associated with the insertion of needles. The needles
that are inserted are very thin, filiform (solid) and sterile. They are placed
into selected and known points of the body where they promote a healing process
and can relieve pain. Generally the insertion of these needles is painless,
however every patient is different and some may experience a momentary
discomfort. This usually passes quickly. Other normal sensations with the
insertion of the needles includes a feeling of warmth, a dull aching or a
tingling feeling at the site of the insertion or along the associated
acupuncture meridian.
Low Level Laser
Techniques
Maybe you a little frightened of needles?
Way back in 1
966
in Budapest Dr. Endre Mester
performed two test studies, one which
showed an area that had been shaved and
treated with LLLT grew back faster than an area not treated. The second, was to
study the effects of LLLT on a surgical wounds. The wound treated with LLLT healed at
a faster rate the the untreated would. Fast forward to today and thousands
of studies and successfully treated patients later, the term Low Level Laser is
starting to gain recognition for its true healing value. LLLT has been
successful in treating Carpel Tunnel Syndrome up to 85% of the time and other
non-repetitive stress disorders. Fibromyalgia seems to respond well as
does trigeminalneuralgia, scar tissue, complications from surgery, torn
cartilage, nerve damage and
headaches, muscular injuries, open wound and diabetic lesions. Clinical research
continues to be done on hundreds of different conditions.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion involves
the burning of an herb, moxa, either on the head of the needle or against the
skin. Most often this involves only tiny threads of the moxa. With proper
technique it is often a pleasant treatment that gives a mild warming feeling and
carries little risk of causing a burn. Moxa is an herb from the chrysanthemum
family. It warms, increases the circulation of qi and blood, strengthens yang
and helps to prevent disease.
Cupping
Cupping is a technique that is not unique to acupuncture. It is used to
promote the flow of qi and blood in the meridians. Glass or plastic cups are
placed against the skin with an internal vacuum. There is an temporary imprint
or mark left after the treatment. This mark generally disappears in a few days.
Tui Na
Tui Na is like a cross between the
Shiatsu and Acupressure. Tui Na uses rhythmic compression along energy channels
of the body as well as a variety of techniques that manipulate and lubricate
the joints. Like acupressure, Tui Na directly affects the flow of energy by
holding and pressing the body at acupressure points.