Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Japanese Style Acupuncture
Auricular Acupuncture                      

Chinese Herbal Medicine
Moxabustion
Adjunctive Therapies

As acupuncture has evolved over the past 2,500 years, a number of different styles have emerged. Each one differs in its initial intake, and treatment strategy, but the goal of each treatment is to rebalance and harmonize the body.

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)
Traditional Chinese Medicine is the most commonly practiced style of acupuncture. TCM focuses on developing a diagnosis based on the Eight Principles, which guide the practitioner to an effective course of treatment. TCM diagnosis involves a pulse diagnosis, observation of a persons appearance, and examination of the tongue. Once a diagnosis is complete, the practitioner can determine a root treatment and select a number of points to begin the treatment 

JAPANESE ACUPUNCTURE
Japanese acupuncture uses the same principle of TCM, but is unique in its efficiency. Japanese Acupuncture has a strong emphasis on palpation, and awareness of the arrival of Qi at each point. Japanese Acupuncture uses a root (meridian) and branch (symptoms) approach to each treatment. The practitioner will use thinner and fewer needles on each treatment, as well as ion pumping cords, or gold and silver needles to establish a polarity. Japanese Acupuncture involves a pulse diagnosis, but also uses abdominal palpation to determine a pattern to treat the underlying imbalance. 

AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE
Auricular Acupuncture uses the ears as a microcosm. An acupuncturist can address various physical and emotional conditions using specific points on the ears. This style of treatment is typically used to enhance a given treatment, whether a Chinese or Japanese style treatment is given. Often this style of acupuncture uses shorter needles, press balls or interdermals on points in and around the ear. Press balls or interdermals may be left in the ears after the treatment for up to 3-5 days to continually stimulate the points, and extend the effects of the treatment.  Auricular acupuncture is widely used in drug and alcohol detoxification programs as well as for smoking cessation.  The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) has specific protocols for this type of treatment, which have been carefully developed and extensively tested.

CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE
Chinese herbs have been used for centuries.  Most herbal medicines are plant based, but some preparations include minerals or animal products.  They can be packaged as powders, pills, teas, or salves, depending on the herb and its intended use.  Different herbs have different properties which can treat a variety of ailments, and help enhance your own body's ability to heal.  In order to create the most effective formula, the herbs are used in different quantities and for different purposes. This allows the herbalist to create a formula aimed at addressing your individual needs.

MOXIBUSTION
Moxibustion is a treatment that uses "moxa" a herb that is composed from fibers of the Mugwort plant. Moxa may be rolled in a ball and placed at the end of a needle, or made into tiny threads and burned directly on the skin. Practitioners use moxa to warm regions of the body, and to enhance acupuncture points with the intention of stimulating circulation, and enhancing the flow of blood and Qi in the body.

​ADJUNCTIVE TECHNIQUES
As well as inserting needles, your treatment may also include cupping: Cupping is a therapy designed to stimulate the flow of blood and Qi within the superficial muscle layers. It helps release muscle tension, and can be useful if you feel you are coming down with a cold. Glass cups, which may either be fire cups, or suction cups are placed directly on the skin. Depending on what you are being treated for they may stay stationary, or moved along a muscle group. If there is a lot of stagnation in a particular area, a red circle, or line may appear. It is best to notify your acupuncturist if you are planning on attending any sort of event where that particular area of skin may be exposed. The redness tends to disappear about 3 days after the treatment is given.