Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used forms of medicine in the world. Originating in China more than 3000 years ago, acupuncture is currently one of the most thoroughly researched, practiced, and respected forms of complementary medicine available anywhere.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, your overall health is determined by the quality of the Qi (energy) flow through the natural pathways of your body (meridians). Acupuncture uses a variety of techniques, including placing very thin sterile needles into specific points on the body, to stimulate and improve your Qi flow. The many benefits of acupuncture include:
Acupressure is based on one the most ancient principles of healing — that simply touching a specific point on the body will release stress and improve health in the body. In an acupressure session, I apply firm pressure directly to these "points" on your body, which relieves your muscle tension and improves your circulation. This simple and powerful technique has been shown to very effective in treating headaches, backaches, and even insomnia.
Electroacupuncture is a highly effective holistic treatment for pain, nausea, and chronic ailments. In practice, it is actually very similar to traditional acupuncture. Using the exact same system of Chinese Medicine, I insert very thin and sterile needles into specific points along the meridians of your body. I then attach the needles to a device that delivers gentle electrical pulses between two points. This helps restore the healthy flow of Qi (energy) through your body, removing any blockages and clearing out stagnant areas, thus creating a stronger and clearer experience of health and well-being.
Cupping has been a part of Chinese Medicine for over 2,500 years. It relieves aches and pains, improves circulation, and also helps with respiratory and digestive issues. I simply place a specialized "cup" onto specific points on your body, and then use suction to draw your skin up into the cups. It doesn't hurt — it simply draws fresh blood to that area of your body, which facilitates the cleansing and strengthening of your Qi (energy). The end result is a greater overall sense of health and well-being.
Although Gua Sha is an ancient healing technique used by Chinese Medicine practitioners for thousands of years, it is relatively unknown in the West. It is recognized throughout Asia as a highly effective treatment for chronic pain conditions, stress, fatigue, and a host of other ailments.
First, Gua Sha oil is applied to a specific meridian (energy pathway) on your body. I then use a smooth round-edged object (such as a spoon) to apply short brisk strokes to that area. This creates red patches of skin (called "Sha"); detoxifying your blood and restoring the healthy flow if Qi (energy) to the area. There is no pain involved, and the Sha will fade in 2 to 3 days. But the sense of health and vitality you experience from it will last much longer.
Moxibustion is a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing and health. Moxibustion has been used for healing purposes throughout Asia for thousands of years. The purpose of moxibustion, as with most forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of Qi (energy); and enhance your overall vitality and health.
Among other benefits, a landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that 75.4% of women suffering from breech presentations before childbirth had fetuses that rotated to the normal position after receiving moxibustion at an acupuncture point on the bladder meridian.
One of the most common questions that patients ask about Chinese Medicine is: "Why does my practitioner check my pulse?" Pulse diagnosis is actually one of the most complex and important diagnostic techniques we use in Chinese Medicine. Through feeling and evaluating your pulse, I obtain an accurate diagnosis of your overall constitution, Qi (energy) flow, and internal organ health, among other things. I then synthesize all of this information into a highly effective and individualized treatment plan for your specific needs.
Originally developed in ancient China as a system of self-defense, Tai Chi is now a highly refined art that combines slow flowing movements with focused breathing techniques to strengthen your overall health and well-being. Practiced by millions of people worldwide, the benefits of Tai Chi are well-documented, and include not only a stronger physical body, but also a more focused and clear sense of awareness and attention.
Tui Na is an ancient form of bodywork that is based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I use a variety of pressures and strokes along the meridians (energy pathways) of your body to both relax your muscles and also stimulate the flow of energy throughout your body. By treating both the physical (musculature) and energetic (Qi) levels of your body at the same time, I can achieve results far beyond what you’d receive from a conventional massage therapy session.
ABOUT KINESIO TAPING
By
Ian A. Cyrus, D.Ac., MS, L.Ac.
Kinesio Tape®, also called Kinesio Tex Tape, is the original elastic adhesive tape developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase in 1979. Kinesio Tape is latex-free, hypoallergenic, and wearable for days at a time. It is safe for populations from elite athletes, and weekend warriors to geriatric and pediatric patients:
The Kinesio Taping Technique (KTT) is an elastic therapeutic taping method that allows for the treatment of all types of clinical conditions for acute, chronic, rehabilitation, and prophylactic management. It allows for and assists in normal circulation/lymphatic flow, decreases pain, assists muscle function, promotes fascial/connective tissue remodeling, and can stabilize and improve joint function. The Kinesio Taping Method is designed to provide gentle long-term assistance to the body by facilitating homeostasis. Kinesio Tex Tape is uniquely designed to not be restrictive, or heavy on the skin, and allows a full range of motion.
The combination of the stretch capabilities, thickness, and adhesion allows the Kinesio Tex Tape to approximate the qualities of the skin. The design of the Kinesio Tex Tape, in combination with proper evaluation of the clinical condition and the unique application technique, creates the Kinesio Taping Method.
Kinesio Taping is a valuable modality when used in conjunction with acupuncture in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, myofascial pain and dysfunction, and sports injuries. In particular, it extends the effects of acupuncture treatment in between visits.
How Does Kinesio Tape Work?
Kinesio Tape alleviates discomfort and facilitates lymphatic drainage by microscopically lifting the skin. This lifting affect forms convolutions in the skin thus increasing interstitial space and allowing for a decrease in inflammation, reducing pressure while enabling a more effective flow of blood and lymphatic fluid in and out of the target area.
Based upon years of clinical use, Kinesio Tape is specifically applied to the patient based upon their needs after evaluation. The findings of the clinical evaluation or assessment dictate the specifics of the Kinesio Tape application and other possible treatments or modalities. With the utilization of single “I” strips or modifications in the shape of an “X”, “Y” or other specialized shapes as well as the direction and amount of stretch placed on the tape at the time of application, Kinesio Tape can be applied in hundreds of ways and can re-educate the neuromuscular system, reduce inflammation, prevent injury and promote good circulation.
There are six (6) correction application techniques:
Several of the correction techniques have an overlap of application between each other.