Acupuncture & Moxibustion

Acupuncture is a physical therapy that has been evolving for over 2,000 years and a modality unique to Chinese medicine. It is a valuable technique for interacting with the structures of the human body in a minimally invasive way. Acupuncture has the ability to activate the bodies own healing potential. It is safe and has few side effects.

Acupuncture improves the circulation of blood and body fluids.
When circulation is optimal, the body is able to heal itself.

Super fine surgical steel needles are mindfully inserted into soft tissue. The changes to the body are local to the site of needle insertion and can also be systemic or organ specific. As an acupuncture needle enters the body a tissue response occurs locally that increases blood flow to the area, enhances tissue regeneration and repair. The effects of the needle point travel up the spinal cord to the brain, where a variety of chemicals may be released that have a wider influence on the body’s systems.

In a nutshell acupuncture has the ability to:

  • Increase blood flow and fluid metabolism

  • Stimulate production of healing cells

  • Release natural pain killers

  • Reduce the intensity and perception of chronic pain

  • Relax contracted muscles

  • Reduce stress

  • Stimulate organ function

Acupuncture is used most popularly in the west to treat pain. It can also greatly improve the function of organs and organ systems such as of the nervous, digestive and endocrine.

Electro-Acupuncture

Electro-acupuncture involves using a low current of electricity between two acupuncture points. Applied appropriately, it gives a regular acupuncture treatment a boost. Electricity has a long history of being used as a healing modality, outside of Chinese medicine, specifically to enhance tissue healing. Scientific studies have found electro-acupuncture to stimulate peripheral nerve repair,  increase bone density, increase tissue repair and regeneration. It also increases the effectiveness of physical therapy procedures by improving communication between the central nervous system and muscles. Electro-acupuncture is a commonly used indispensable tool in the context of orthopedic acupuncture and injury treatment.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a technique that involves the use of burning Mugwort (artemesia vulgaris) to facilitate healing. Moxibustion has been used throughout Asia for thousands of years; in fact, the actual Chinese character for acupuncture translates literally to mean "acupuncture & moxibustion." The technique provides another way to non-invasively effect the tissues of the human body. The purpose of moxibustion, as with most forms of traditional Chinese medicine, is to strengthen and stimulate the flow of blood and qi. It is most often applied indirectly as a warm ember that is held over an area of stagnation, pain or dysfunction. It can be used on people who have a cold or chronic condition or on people that do not tolerate needles very well.

Moxibustion is also amazingly successfully for some gynecological issues, including turning a breech baby and stopping a lingering menstrual flow.