Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into the body at precise points which have been shown to be effective in the treatment of specific health problems. These acupuncture points have been mapped by Chinese practitioners over a period of two thousand years. Yet, it was only recently that advanced electromagnetic research has confirmed the validity of these locations.
Acupuncture is part of the complete medical system of traditional Chinese medicine. It is a method that encourages the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning.
What are the needles like?
Acupuncture needles are extremely thin and made of high quality stainless steel. Unlike hypodermic needles, their tip is smooth and not hollow. Only pre-sterilized needles are used and they are always disposed of immediately after each use. This assures there is no transmission of communicable diseases from patient to patient.
Do Acupuncture Needles hurt?
What is Moxibustion?
Moxa is a dried natural Chinese herb also known as mugwort or artemesia. This herb is heated and placed on specific areas of the body. The warmth generated is used to improve blood circulation and thus eliminate pain, as well as protect against colds and flu by boosting immunity, and strengthening the body. Elie uses new breakthrough technology, without smoke, odor or ash, to produce remarkable results through this advanced herbal heat therapy.
What is cupping?
Cupping is a Chinese medical treatment in which glass, bamboo, or plastic cups are placed on various parts of the body. The cups are
What is Tui Na?
Tui Na is a Chinese medical massage that manipulates and stimulates areas of the body including acupuncture/acupressure points for healing. It is used for many health conditions including pain.
Your treatment will combine Tui Na and Shiatsu which does not require oils or undressing. Loose comfortable clothes should be worn such as sweat pants and t-shirts.
Acupuncture is one of the most respected complementary health care systems worldwide and has been accepted and promoted by the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to treat many illnesses and disorders.
How does acupuncture work?
According to traditional Chinese medicine, each person is viewed as a complete energetic system. Energy, or Qi (pronounced chee), flows along pathways called channels or meridians that cover the entire body somewhat like nerves and blood vessels do. Naturally, energy flows toward areas
where it is deficient and away from areas where there is an excess, thus achieving balance. When this energy flow is disrupted, optimum function is affected resulting in pain or illness.
Acupuncture is used to facilitate the natural balance of energy. It eases blockages to restore the harmonious flow of energy throughout the body, thus relieving pain or discomfort.
The modern scientific explanation for acupuncture's efficacy is that needling the carefully selected acupuncture points stimulate the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones, which influence the bodies own internal regulating system.
How many treatments are necessary?
Since each person is unique, and depending on the duration and severity of your condition, the number of treatments needed will vary. Some people respond very quickly to acupuncture others at a moderate rate. For long lasting chronic or complex conditions, 2-3 treatments per week for several months may be necessary. While sometimes 6-10 treatments resolve the condition. For acute conditions, fewer daily treatments are generally required. For health maintenance, 4 periodic treatments a year are recommended.
The needles may pinch slightly at first insertion but generally there is no pain. Most patients report feelings that range from an electric tingle to gentle throbbing. Other normal sensations may include topical warmness, momentary numbness and slight distention. These are all indications of the procedure tapping into the body's energy flow and that the healing process has begun. Most people actually find the overall experience soothing, relaxing them both during the treatments and for a period afterwards..
suctioned onto the skin to help alleviate many health conditions such as pain, relieve a flu or cold, strengthen particular parts of the body, eliminate toxins and for many other disorders.
Since cupping brings out impurities and toxins from the body to the surface in order to be released, the area of skin will be reddened which usually goes away within a few hours to a few days.
What are Chinese Herbs?
Chinese Herbal Medicine has always been an important aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chinese Herbal Medicine can greatly enhance the effects of Acupuncture, especially in the treatment of chronic disease where daily therapy is crucial to achieving significant and lasting relief.
Chinese herbal formulas typically consist of at least two to several herbs carefully chosen to enhance and balance one another while targeting both the symptoms and the underlying cause of your condition.
Although acupuncture was the first Chinese modality to gain wide acceptance in the West, Chinese herbal medicine is quickly establishing itself as one of the most popular and effective alternative therapies in the West.
