ACCESSORY TECHNIQUES

The Accessory Techniques in Oriental Medicine are effective tools for healing and are incorporated into overall acupuncture treatments if they are indicated. These services are also offered a la cart.

Cupping
Cupping is the use of suction cups to bring tension and toxins to the surface of the skin from deep layers. This is great for back pain, asthma, colds, and more. This technique has been used historically not only by the Chinese, but Latin, Middle Eastern and Eastern European cultures for generations. We often hear "my grandmother used to do that when I was sick as a child." If your body is stagnant, it will leave distinct reddish-purple marks on the area it is administered for up to a week. For most people, the pain relief is worth it!

Guasha
Guasha is a gentle scraping of the skin (without breaking the skin) to get to the muscle tissue where the flow of oxygen and nutrients has been impeded by tension and blockage in the muscle layer. It is a therapeutic technique that feels similar to a deep massage. This is great for back pain, neck and shoulder pain that is not relieved by massage alone. It is also used to strengthen the immune system at the onset of colds. Historically, the tool used to administer guasha was an animal horn. At Source Healing, we use a jade tool or a ceramic soup spoon. If your body is stagnant, it will leave distinct reddish-purple marks on the area it is administered for up to a week. For most people, the pain relief is worth it!

Moxibustion
This technique, which incorporates the burning of a Chinese herb called Mugwort or Artemesia Vulgaris over acupuncture points in the body, opens up channels and promotes energy flow in the body that is closed due to stagnation, cold, or deficiency. The warming of specific locations on the body is a welcome comfort to individuals with these conditions. This tool is also commonly used for safe, effective breech baby turns.

Tui Na
Tui Na is simply acupressure, which is the use of hands and fingers on the acupuncture points on the body. This is different from massage in that the focus here is to use acupuncture points and channels to address the patient’s Root Diagnosis. Essentially, this is acupuncture without the needles. Since the goal of tui na is the release of blocked energy and improve flow, treatments can be more intense than a massage.

Breathwork
Breathwork strengthens the immune system, increases oxygen to the blood, and decreases the release of stress hormones while increasing the blood flow in your body. Qi Gong is just one of the styles that we teach during treatments.