Auxilliary Acupuncture Techniques
Various auxiliary acupuncture techniques are designed to enhance the local circulation and the flow of blood, Qi and lymph thereby relieving stagnation, pain, swelling and stiffness.
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Gua-Sha
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A flat, smooth jade stone is used to gently rub the skin to enhance the subcutaneous flow of blood and lymph. This technique is commonly used to relieve tension in the muscles or local swellings. It is especially good for the treatment of stiff shoulders and back. Traditionally, gua-sha is also used to fan-off the onset of cold or flu.
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Electro-acupuncture
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A continuous low level electrical current is connected to the acupuncture needles to provide non-stop stimulation through the duration of the treatment. This is mostly known for its application in pain relief but it can also be used to reduce spasm and brake-up benign masses and swellings. Electro-acupuncture is frequently used in the treatment of infertility due to coldness or inhibited blood flow into the uterus.
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Plum Blossom
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We use plum blossom or seven stars needle to enhance blood and Qi flow into the specific segments of the meridians or chosen acupuncture points. This technique is useful in treating long-term conditions that are slow to change. Also, it is useful for the treatment of pain that is widely spread over larger areas of the body.
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Cupping
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Cupping is a method of treating stiffness and pain by drawing the congealed, thick and stagnant blood out of the deeper layers of the body to the skin.
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The skin is a highly vascular organ. This exchange of blood stimulates the arrival of fresh, oxygenated blood into the area of stagnation. This treatment is one of the favorite treatments of some of our patients because it feels like a deep tissue massage. This technique can also be used at the onset of a cold or flu due to its power to draw pathogens out of the lungs and bronchi to the more superficial layers of the body where they can be easily eliminated.
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Moxibustion
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Moxibustion is a method that employs the burning of the herb – artemisia vulgaris on or near the acupuncture needles. It warms up the meridians and muscles and expels pathogenic wind and cold that lingers in the cutaneous regions and causes pain and stiffness. This is also known as warm needle technique and is frequently used to reduce swellings or to strengthen the patient who is weak.
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