Acupuncture and Massage - A Total Therapeutic Experience
OUR OFFERED SERVICES:
Acupuncture Services:
What is Acupuncture?
For more than 5,000 years, acupuncturists have treated many diseases or dysfunctions of the body by inserting fine needles into the skin at a specific points. The needles stimulate these “acupuncture points” to normalize physiological functions, modify and prevent the perception of pain, and encourage the body’s own healing abilities.
The classic theory supporting Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture and herbal therapies) uses a “holistic” approach to treat the patient. The life force which circulates throughout the body is made up of “Qi” (energy) and “Xue” (blood) which flow through distinct “meridians” (pathways) in the body. When this life force is balanced and circulating properly, the body is healthy. Energy imbalance in the meridian is thought to cause illness or pain. To correct this imbalance, the acupuncturist inserts and stimulates fine needles at acupuncture points. Often, Chinese herbal supplementation, acupressure, “Tui Na” (therapeutic massage), breathing techniques, exercise and nutrition are also used to restore harmonious energy balance and expedite the healing process.
What Conditions Do Acupuncturists Treat?
Acupuncturists treat many conditions affecting your health. These include, but are not limited to, low back pain, sprains and strains, nausea, headaches, allergies, chronic pain and certain neurologic disorders manifesting in symptoms like numbness and tingling. Your acupuncturist or primary care physician will be able to advise of the choices of treatment available for your specific condition.
Massage Services:
What is massage therapy?
Massage has been described as “the healing touch.” Often referred to as bodywork or somatic therapy, massage therapy refers to the application of various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the body. It consists of a group of manual techniques that include applying fixed or moveable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of or to the body, using primarily the hands. The massage therapist can also use other areas of the body, such as the forearms, elbows or feet. These techniques affect the musculoskeletal circulatory-lymphatic nervous, and other systems of the body.
The goal of massage therapy is fairly straightforward: to positively affect the health and well being of the client. Numerous physical and mental health benefits have been attributed to massage, including reducing stress and aiding in relaxation, reducing heart rate; lowering blood pressure; increasing blood circulation and lymph flow; relaxing the muscles; reducing chronic pain and improving joint range of motion. Specifically, people have found that therapeutic massage can help manage a variety of conditions:
Physical benefits:
1 Relaxes the whole body.
2 Loosens tight muscles.
3 Relieves tired and aching muscles.
4 Increases flexibility and range of motion.
5 Diminishes chronic pain.
6 Calms the nervous system.
7 Enhances skin tone.
8 Assists in recovery from injuries and illness.
9 Strengthens the immune system.
10 Reduces tension headaches.
Mental Benefits:
1 Reduces mental stress.
2 Promotes restful sleep.
3 Aids in mental relaxation.
Massage therapy is recognized as one of the oldest methods of healing, with references in medical texts nearly 4,000 years old. In fact, Hippocrates, known as the “father of medicine,” referenced massage when he wrote in the 4th century B.C.: “The physician must be acquainted with many things, and assuredly with rubbing.”
Actually, massage therapy is not so much rubbing as stroking, kneading, tapping, compression, vibration, rocking, friction, pressure, and various other techniques. Specific styles of massage therapy utilized by therapists may include, but is not limited to, the following:
1 Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, but without relying on the use of needles. This technique involves pressing on certain points of the body to relieve pain. Acupressure attempts to promote maximal flow of “qi,” the vital energy or “life force” believed by some to flow throughout the body.
2 Chinese Pediatric Massage is a Massage for Children. Different techniques derived from an ancient technique Tui Na is used to massage children. It is known to help with reducing phlegm, improve digestion, increase immune system, relieved stress, aids in growth and development, balance hyperactivity and inactivity and more.
3 Deep-tissue massage uses slow strokes, direct pressure, or friction, applied across the grain of the muscles with the fingers, thumbs or elbows. Deep-tissue massage works deeply into the muscles and connective tissue to release chronic aches and pains.
4 Ear Candling is used primarily for cleaning the ears and to promote a healthy atmosphere in the ears, sinus cavities and throat. The flame of the candle creates a draw or vacuum which pulls the wax, and other particles of debris out of the ear and up into the bottom of the candle. The client feels a warm sensation during the procedure and is left with deep relaxed feeling. This service is also accompanied by a brief neck and scalp massage if so desired.
5 Hot Stone Massage is a variation on a regular Swedish massage session. Heated smooth, flat stones are used to massage the body and are placed on key points where they can sooth and relax the muscles and rebalance the body and mind. The warmth of the hot stones also improves circulation and calms the nervous system.
6 Hypnosis for Relaxation is a powerful tool to aid in the relief of a variety of difficulties. I specialize in relaxation. During a hypnosis session expect a calming atmosphere and a light conversation pertaining to the things that are causing an upset in your life and how you would like them to be changed.
7 Lymph drainage involves the application of light, rhythmic strokes. This technique is primarily used to help conditions related to poor lymph flow, such as inflammation, edema and neuropathies.
8 Muscle Testing is a biofeedback mechanism that allows us to access the body’s bio-computer.
9 Neuromuscular massage is massage applied to specific muscles, often used to increase blood flow, release knots of muscle tension, or release pain/pressure on nerves. One type of this therapy is also known as Trigger Point Therapy, in that concentrated finger pressure is applied to “trigger points” of muscular pain.
10 Foot Reflexology is based on a system of points on the hands and feet thought to correspond or “reflex” to other areas of the body. The technique is thus specific to particular body parts (most often the feet), but is intended to assist the entire body.
11 Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen life force energy or Chi flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one’s life force energy is low we are more likely to become ill or feel stress. But if it is high we are more capable of being happy and healthy. A Reiki treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, and mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security, and well being.
12 Shiatsu/acupressure are systems of finger-pressure massage based on the Asian system of healing, which treats special points along “meridians” –channels of energy flow (or Qi or Chi) in the body. The underlying belief is that blocked meridians can cause physical discomfort, and that techniques applied to specific meridian points can “release” the blockage, thereby balancing energy flow.
13 Sports Massage is designed to enhance athletic performance and recovery. There are three contexts in which sports massage can be useful to an athlete: pre-event, post-event, and injury treatment.
14 Swedish massage: Generally regarded as the most common form of massage, Swedish massage involves manipulation of the muscles and connective tissues of massage uses five basic massage techniques to relax muscles and body tissues.
15 Thai massage utilizes many of the movements from yoga and the meridians of traditional Chinese medicine.
16 Trigger therapy relies on progressive gentle, rhythmic rocking and stretching techniques to promote easy and free sensations in the body.
17 Tui-Na is a traditional Chinese technique dating back 3,000 to 5,000 years ago. It stimulates acupuncture points by brushing, kneading, rolling and pressing areas between joints.