Tai Chi Acupuncture & Wellness Center

Acupuncture is an ancient, time-tested method for preventing and treating various diseases, illnesses, and conditions. It is a collection of procedures involving penetration of the skin with very thin, sterile, disposable needles to gently and painlessly stimulate certain points on the body. In its classical form it is a characteristic component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It has been categorized as a complementary health approach. According to traditional Chinese medicine, stimulating specific Acupuncture points corrects imbalances in the flow of qi through channels known as meridians.

Acupuncture's use for certain conditions has been recognized by the United States National Institutes of Health, the National Health Service of the United Kingdom, the World Health Organization, and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

The term “Qi Gong” usually refers to a systematic practice done to help one cultivate and strengthen their Qi. This “practice” helps to improve the circulation of Qi inside your body. There are different types of Qi Gong practice, or to be more accurate, one might say there are different levels of practice. Qi Gong practices for cultivating and moving Qi are done through breathing techniques, meditation practice, the use of imagination, or a guiding technique via body posture and movement. Usually these systems and practices are created from the experience and the understanding of the Qi. Some methods might have existed for thousands of years already, while some methods might have come about or have been slightly modified within just the past one hundred years.

Auriculotherapy, or Auricular therapy, or Ear Acupuncture, is a form of alternative medicine based on the idea that the ear is a microsystem which reflects the entire brain as represented on the auricle (the outer portion of the ear). Conditions affecting the physical, mental or emotional health of the patient are assumed to be treatable by stimulation of the surface of the ear exclusively.

Cupping therapy is an ancient Chinese form of alternative medicine in which a local suction cup is placed on the skin. It is used to mobilize and stimulate the flow of both blood and energy in order to promote healing. Suction is created using heat (fire) or mechanical devices (hand or electrical pumps).

Gua sha is a traditional Chinese medical treatment in which the skin is rubbed in order to pool blood and energy at specific spots on the body. It is believed that gua sha releases unhealthy elements from injured areas and increases blood and energy flow, thus stimulating and quickening the body’s natural healing process.

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy using moxa (downy material) made from dried mugwort. It plays an important role in the traditional medical systems of China (including Tibet), Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Mongolia. Suppliers usually age the mugwort and grind it up to a fluff. Practitioners burn the fluff or process it further into a cigar-shaped stick (a “moxa pole”). They can use it indirectly, with Acupuncture needles, or burn it on the patient's skin.

Practitioners use moxa to warm regions and Acupuncture points with the intention of stimulating circulation through the points and inducing a smoother flow of qi and blood. Moxibustion is effective in treating cold and dampness in the body, and can also serve to turn breech babies. It is also very good for treating chronic problems, particularly in “deficiency conditions” or a condition of weakness.

Tuina is a Chinese style of bodywork that goes back thousands of years. This form of massage is governed by Oriental medicine and follows many of the same guidelines as acupuncture. Tuina can be used to treat a variety of musculo-skeletal issues. It's a powerful (and relaxing) form of healing. Tuina usually uses more finger pressure and stretching techniques and is done with oil.

Trigger points, also known as trigger sites or muscle knots, are described as hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers. Some of these points are exactly the same as Acupuncture points.

The trigger point model states that unexplained pain frequently radiates from these points of local tenderness to broader areas, sometimes distant from the trigger point itself. Practitioners claim to have identified reliable “referred pain patterns” which associate pain in one location with trigger points elsewhere. There is some variation in the methodology for diagnosis of trigger points and a dearth of theory to explain how they arise and why they produce specific patterns of referred pain.

Compression of a trigger point may elicit local tenderness, referred pain, or the “local twitch response”. The local twitch response is not the same as a muscle spasm. This is because a muscle spasm refers to the entire muscle contracting whereas the local twitch response only involves a small twitch to the entire muscle but not contraction of the entire muscle.

Among MDs, many specialists are well versed in trigger point diagnosis and therapy. These include physiatrists (physicians specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation), family medicine, and orthopedics. Osteopathic as well as chiropractic schools also include trigger points in their training. Other health professionals, such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists, acupuncturists, massage therapists and structural integrators are also aware of these ideas and many of them make use of trigger points in their clinical work as well.

The “Dao” or the “Way” is a focus on being harmonious with the things surrounding you. This can include everything from your job, your family, your friends and daily events that come up in one’s life. A Daoist attitude encourages one to stay calm and observe the circulation of everything in the world. This “content observation” allows you to live a more relaxed, satisfying, happy, and healthy life. It is said to be the basic self-training for longevity. Understanding some of the key concepts of Daoist Medical Arts can help many people who are suffering from illness; particularly mental related issues.

Deep Tissue Massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and connective tissue or fascia. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. Deep Tissue Massage is often recommended for clients who experience consistent pain, who are involved in heavy physical activity (such as athletes), or who have sustained physical injury. Deep Tissue Massage is often used to treat particular muscular-skeletal disorders or complaints and employs a dedicated set of techniques and strokes to achieve a measure of relief. Deep tissue Massage is applied to both the superficial and deep layers of muscles, fascia, and other structures. The sessions are often quite intense as a result of the deliberate, focused work. It is not uncommon for receivers of deep tissue massage to have their pain replaced with a new muscle ache for a day or two. Generally this massage is done with oil.

Swedish massage therapy is the modality that comes to mind when most people think about massage. As the best-known type of bodywork performed today, one of the primary goals of the Swedish massage technique is to relax the entire body. This is accomplished by rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. But Swedish massage therapy goes beyond relaxation. Swedish massage is exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension.

Reflexology, or zone therapy, focuses on points on the feet, hands and sometimes the ears with specific thumb, finger, and hand techniques designed to improve health. It is based on what reflexologists claim to be a system of zones and reflex areas which are thought to reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands. The premise is that such work effects a physical change to the body. Generally no oil is used.

Acupressure is an alternative medicine technique similar in principle to Acupuncture. It is based on the concept of life energy which flows through "meridians" in the body to affect health. In treatment, physical pressure is applied to both Acupuncture points and “trigger points” with the aim of clearing blockages as well as balancing energy in these meridians. Pressure may be applied by hand, by elbow, or with various devices. It can be done with or without oil or lotion. Some medical studies have suggested that acupressure may be effective at helping manage nausea and vomiting, and for helping lower back pain.

Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage. In Japanese it means "finger pressure". It is a type of alternative medicine consisting of finger and palm pressure, stretches, and other massage techniques. Usually Shiatsu is very good in helping people relax and cope with issues such as stress, muscle pain, nausea, anxiety, and depression. Generally it can be done without any oil.

Tuina is an acient Chinese style of bodywork that goes back thousands of years. This form of massage is governed by Oriental medicine and follows many of the same guidelines as Acupuncture. Tuina can be used to treat a variety of musculo-skeletal issues. It's a powerful (and relaxing) form of healing. Tuina usually uses more finger pressure and stretching techniques and is done with oil.

Hot stone massage is a natural therapy in which warmed stones are positioned on parts of the client's body of to maximize the therapeutic benefit. The use of hot stones for healing dates can back to ancient times. The stones used are typically river rocks or other very smooth-surfaced stones made of basalt. These stones are heated in sanitizing water before use. The high iron content in basalt helps the stones retain heat during the massage. Hot stone massages are beneficial on both physical and psychological levels.

Hot stone massage is suited to people who tend to feel chilly or who have cold feet. It's also suited for people who have muscle tension but prefer a lighter massage. The heat relaxes muscles, allowing the therapist to work the muscles without using deep pressure.

People also get hot stone massage for a variety of health conditions:

• Back pain and aches
• Poor circulation
• Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Stress, anxiety and tension
• Insomnia
• Depression

Benefits of hot stone massage:

• Promotes deep relaxation
• Relieves muscle tension and pain
• Promotes sleep
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• May ease the symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis

The Himalayan Salt Stone Massage is a hot stone massage. The difference is that the stones are made of 100% pink Himalayan Sea Salt that contains 84 naturally occurring minerals and elements.

The stones are used very similarly to the lava rocks in the regular hot stone massage.

Some of the benefits of using the Salt Stones are:

• All of the benefits of the regular hot stones
• Provides a gentle exfoliation of the skin
• May have and anti-inflammatory effect
• Helps the detoxification process of massage and may help draw toxins from the body

Aromatherapy massage is massage therapy but with highly concentrated plant oils, called essential oils, added to the massage oil or lotion.

The nostrils are attached to a part of the brain called the limbic system. The limbic system controls emotions and influences the nervous system and hormones.

When you inhale essential oil molecules, messages are transmitted to the limbic system and affect heart rate, stress level, blood pressure, breathing, memory, digestion, and the immune system.

Essential oils are also believed to be absorbed through the skin.

Each essential oil has different healing properties. For example, some calm while others energize. Here are some widely used essential oils and their purported properties:

• Stress: lavender, clary sage, lemon
• Inflammation: German chamomile, helichrysum
• Insomnia: Roman chamomile, clary sage, marjoram, patchouli
• Lack of energy: eucalyptus, grapefruit, lemongrass, rosemary
• Depression: nutmeg, lemon, bergamot, anise