Moxa has been used as a topical healing treatment for approximately 3000 years. It is known as Moxa, Artemisia Vulgaris, and Mugwort.
It can be burned directly on the skin (with proper precautions), but is more commonly placed on the end of a needle, sending a gentle healing warmth into the body or held over specific points on the body.
Moxa generates circulation through the points, stimulates a smooth flow of Qi and blood, and alleviates coldness, edema, and a lack of vitality in the body. It feels wonderful! Moxa is used often to nourish deficient conditions and to dispel pain. It has been shown to be clinically effective in treating: dysmenorrhea, diarrhea, Irritable Bowel Disorder, acute and chronic pain, etc.
Auricular Acupuncture (Ear Acupuncture)
The ear is a microsystem that affects the entire body. The basic concept of auriculotherapy is that nerves in the skin overlying specific areas of the external ear correspond to specific parts of the brain which have reflex connections to the entire body. Cutaneo-Organic Reflexes are activated when specific points on the ear are stimulated in order to relieve organic pathology in specific parts of the body. Ear points are usually detected by a sensation that tends to be sharp and tender when stimulated.
Almost all health conditions can be affected to some degree by stimulating reactive ear points. Every part of the external ear connects through the microsystem remote reflexes to every part of the body, which allows for a wide variety of health problems to be treated by auriculotherapy.
The most commonly reported uses of auriculotherapy have been for the control of chronic pain, stress and anxiety, detoxification from addictive drugs, relief of nausea, and reduction of hypertension.
Electrical stimulation is another way to stimulate needles to induce a more rapid or deep acting level of healing in an acupuncture treatment. A very gentle electrical current is connected to the acupuncture needles in specific places.This method has been proven to decrease pain, reduce inflammation, and to accelerate healing of the tissues involved.
This is a very safe procedure and the majority of people can often receive wonderful results. However, as with everything, caution is always wise. Be sure to tell your practitioner if you have a pacemaker or if you have a seizure disorder, as these conditions should not be combined with Electrical Stimulation.
The goal of any cupping treatment is to restore proper balance and free flow of Qi and blood. Through injury or cold, the flow of Qi and blood can become blocked and blood stagnation (pain) will often develop. Cupping uses suction to draw the stagnation out towards the skin’s surface, thereby helping healthy circulation to return and pain to be released.
Cupping causes blood to be drawn towards the skin surface, and many find that it feels like a wonderfully deep massage. It is common for red marks, temporary local swelling, and circular bruising to appear, which are generally painless. These marks will eventually fade away in a couple of hours or possibly a few days, depending on the severity of the stagnation. It is vitally important to tell your practitioner if you are taking any blood thinning medicinals, if you have a bleeding disorder, or any hyperactive/hypersensitive skin conditions. If so, this type of treatment protocol should be avoided.
Shiatsu and TuiNa massage
Shiatsu and TuiNa are forms of holistic bodywork and are based on the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The 12 meridian systems in the body are worked with using finger pressure, deep tissue massage, stretching, and other bodywork techniques to stimulate acupuncture points and meridians in the body.
These methods can help bring balance and fluidity into the body and to release stagnation and pain. They are often used in conjunction with acupuncture. They are not only an effective treatment for musculo-skeletal problems, such as lower-back pain, frozen shoulder, slipped discs and fractures, but can also be effective for many other conditions, particularly digestive problems and insomnia.
In Oriental Medicine your diet and eating habits play a very important role in your overall health and wellbeing. In this medicine each food has a particular taste and property and can be used to have an effect on specific organ systems in the body. Dietary needs are as specific and unique as each individual is, and at Essential Wellbeing I will help you to tailor your diet so that you can achieve your optimum health and to help reduce unnecessary stress on your body and energy.
