Adjunct Therapies

Moxibustion

Moxa also called Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) and other herbs are often used in treatments to bring heat/warmth to a region or point. This heat can help bring movement to a point or region rendered dormant by stagnant blood, cold, or stagnant fluids. Care is taken to prevent burning the patient.

Cupping

The practice of cupping has existed in many forms of indigenous and pre-industrial culture throughout the globe. Cupping is used to assist individuals dealing with the onset of common cold symptoms, back arm, and leg pain, and digestive disorders. Care is taken to prevent the breaking of skin, however the appearance of bruising will arise. This bruising medically is referred to as petechiae. It is normal with this type of treatment modality and will fade over a course of two – three days.

Gua Sha

Gua Sha is a technique of moving a smooth edged surface (stone, spoon, bone, horn, metal) vigorously over the affected area that is lubricated. This movement will aggravate the blood vessels and move stagnant blood to and from an area. This technique can bring about pronounced relief for individuals dealing with heavy, tight, sore muscles. In Classical Acupuncture, it may be used over certain meridians/points to open deep blockages.