While traditional acupuncture is virtually painless, some people—especially children—may be a little apprehensive. It is with these people in mind that this clinic offers an alternative to needles.
Acupuncture points can be accessed and manipulated by a variety of methods other than needles, as listed below.
NEURO-MECHANICAL ACUPUNCTURE ( ELECTRO-THERAPY)
This therapy applies concentrated, low-frequency stimulation to acupuncture points. It is an alternative to most clinical acupuncture, and works especially well on the neuromusculoskeletal (nerve, muscle, joints and bone) system. It can be used to treat conditions such as arthritis, spinal injury, bursitis, nerve damage, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and general pain or inflammation of nerves, muscle joints and bone.
TUINA (CHINESE MASSAGE)
Tuina is a complex medical massage used to heal muscle and joint disorders, stimulate blood flow, reduce fluid buildup, and improve tissue health. Through purposeful manipulation, the body’s energy (Qi) is acted upon in order to treat disease and to prevent illness by building up immunity. Tuina treatment also promotes general relaxation and stress reduction. Tuina massage is effective for conditions such as edema, frozen shoulder, joint injuries, back strain, headache, and children’s disorders such as night terrors, colic, nightmares, anxiety, bedwetting and colds.
This clinic generally reserves Tuina for infants, children and pregnant women.
AURICULOTHERAPY
Auriculotherapy is the practice of inserting needles (or in the case of non-invasive technique, small stainless steel, gold or silver beads) at specific points on the ear in order to address excesses or deficiencies within the body.
Auriculotherapy can increase immunity, restore vitality, improve relaxation, and allow mind and body to work in harmony. Children especially enjoy this method of treatment, as the beads are left in for up to one week, allowing them to show off their “ear jewelry” to friends.
Auriculotherapy has beneficial results for such conditions as addiction (tobacco, alcohol, drugs, food compulsions), asthma, pain, depression, allergies, anxiety/panic attacks, headache/migraine, high blood pressure, sleep disorders, and PMS symptoms.
THERAPEUTIC LASER
This type of healing replaces the acupuncture needle with a low level laser beam. There is absolutely no sensation felt by the patient, and on children, is almost as effective as standard acupuncture. In certain circumstances, parents may borrow a laser from the clinic to provide home care for their children.
There are also additional advantages such as increased healing time for damaged tissue, increased circulation, reduced inflammation, stimulation of new cell growth, and reduction of fibrous tissue formation. Therapeutic laser has shown impressive results for such conditions as burns, fevers, scarring, ulcers, fever blisters , skin disorders, and childrens’ disorders such as night terrors, colic, nightmares, anxiety, bedwetting and colds.
INFRARED THERAPY
Far-infrared therapy has deep penetrating power, using a healing form of electromagnetic energy like that of the Sun. The Sun’s energy is essential to all living things and a deficiency can manifest itself in a multitude of disorders.
Application of infrared energy allows the body to absorb it into deep tissue. The body responds by eliminating toxins, reducing acidity in the body, improving circulation, balancing metabolism and improving cellular vitality by increasing available oxygen to the cells. Infrared therapy works especially well on inflammation and, in conjunction with standard acupuncture treatment, can increase the healing response, especially in chronic conditions.
This therapy is used for such conditions as: headaches/migraines, weight loss, muscular pain, skin lesions, fatigue, stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal disorders, poor circulation, and bronchitis.
CUPPING
Cupping encourages circulation of Qi (energy) and blood in the body. It is used to eliminate toxins from the organs and draws impurities through the pores. For the treatment of sports-type injuries, it is used to move and energize stagnant blood so that calcium and mineral deposits in the joints are minimized. This type of therapy is used in the treatment of colds, acne, sports injuries, pain, coughs, stress, tension, and women’s health issues.
MOXIBUSTION
Moxibustion (Moxa) is the use of a dried herb (Mugwort), burned over specific acupuncture points on the body to provide warmth and facilitate healing. Moxa has been proven to increase white blood cell count, increase digestive function, increase blood platelets. It is generally used to treat areas of the body which require warmth.
Moxibustion is used for such conditions as hypothyroidism, arthritis, diarrhea, cramps and fatigue.
ACUPRESSURE
Sometimes mistaken for Tuina massage, Acupressure is a method of applying pressure by hand, elbow or specific devices, to acupuncture points. Acupressure is the most effective treatment for home-care of tension-related disorders, as it alleviates stress, relaxes the mind, increases circulation and promotes healing. Although not as rapidly-acting as acupuncture, it is effective on most disorders which are treated by the usage of needles.
Acupressure is effective for treating ailments such as nausea, muscular pain, asthma attacks, swelling, tension, eyestrain, sinusitis, headache and fatigue.