Acupuncture
Acupuncture is about 2000 + years ago. There are 12 main meridians that encompass the whole body, giving a total of 365 acupoints. It's not unusual that the 12 meridians correspond to the 12 months of the years, nor the fact that the 365 acupoints correspond to the number of days in a year. Fine needles are inserted into the acupoints to activate the Qi. It is not painful and perfectly safe. During acupuncture treatment some acupoints will react differently to others. Usually a patient will feel a dull sensation around the needle.
Abdominal Acupuncture (Fu Zhen)
Abdominal acupuncture (Fu Zhen) is a new form of treatment, only 30 years old. That's very new in Chinese medicine's 3000+ year old history. Even though abdominal acupuncture is a new treatment, it is based upon the ancient ideals of Chinese medicine. It has shown to be effective in a wide range of chronic disorders, such as post-stroke patients. Needles are placed on the abdomen only.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine is probably older than acupuncture. Having started as nutritional therapy in ancient China it later developed into the advanced, complex nature of herbal medicine as we know today. Herbs are made up of either leaves, stems, bark, roots or seeds. They each have a unique action. Often they are processed and prepared to enhance their therapeutic effect. Cleverly combined together they perform a multitude of positive tasks within the body and help bring a holistic balance back to the mind, body and spirit.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is made up of a specific herb that is lit and placed on certain acupoints to heat them up. It is only used in conditions where there is cold or a blockage in the body. Moxibustion is not painful, just a little hot and it may leave a red mark on the body for a few days. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that up to 75% of women suffering from breech presentations before childbirth had foetuses rotated to their normal position after receiving moxibustion. (This procedure should only be carried out by a qualified doctor of Chinese medicine).
Cupping
Cupping is the placement of glass cups on specific areas of the body using a vacuum created by putting a flame inside the cup before it's placed on the body. They are only used in certain conditions, for example if there is too much heat or toxins in the body. They act by drawing out bad Qi. Cupping is not painful but it will leave a dull mark on the body for about 7-10 days and then it will go away by itself.
GuaSha
GuaSha is a special form of treatment that uses a jade or plastic comb to scrap the body. Oil is applied to the area before it is scrapped. It's used as a diagnostic tool as well as a form of treatment to remove blockages in the body. It isn't painful but will leave marks like cupping for 7-10 days before fading away.
Tuina
Tuina is the ancient massage art form from China. It involves unique massage and manipulation techniques on tired, tense muscles as well as on specific acupuncture points and meridians. A typical Tuina massage section can last from 30 minutes for the back to 1 hour for the whole body.
