Acupuncture
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is a Chinese Medicine technique that involves inserting fine needles into specific points in the body to treat health issues. The points are linked by energetic pathways, called Meridians, through which Qi (which can be described as our life force, or our good health) flows. The insertion of needles into the points stimulates the Qi, which can become sluggish and stuck, giving rise to physical and emotional discomfort, clears blockages and enables the flow to resume. If you can imagine a traffic jam on a motorway that has resulted from a broken down car you get the idea: until the car is removed, the traffic remains blocked, slow or un-moving and causes problems further down the line.
Acupuncture is commonly used to address all manner of pain in the body, for example headaches, migraines and muscular tensions, which are often linked to psycho-emotional distress. It is also very helpful for treating anxiety, insomnia, depression and stress, and in my practice I am particularly focused on attending to these issues.
A session of Acupuncture involves a thorough discussion of your current state of health. Your tongue will be inspected and your pulses checked, as these give valuable clues as to how your Meridians are functioning. The needles are usually in place for around 30 minutes during which time you may wish to close your eyes and relax.
CUPPING
Chinese Medicine teaches that pain and disease are caused by stagnation of Qi and Blood within the body. Various factors can cause this stagnation, including tense, stressed muscles, which can impede the relaxed flow of Qi along the meridians.
Cupping involves small, plastic ‘cups’ being placed on the skin with a vacuum force. This force draws impurities to the surface for elimination and simultaneously invigorates Qi and Blood. It is a technique that is widely indicated for muscular pain relief.
Depending on how tense the muscles are, and how stagnant the energy beneath the skin surface is, Cupping can leave characteristic, circular marks on the skin.
AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE & EAR SEEDS
Chinese Medicine considers the ear structure to be a microsystem of the body: that is to say, it is believed that the outer ear contains a ‘map’ of the whole body and that specific points on this map correspond with related body parts. Auricular Acupuncture can be applied with or without needles; in the case of the former, needles are placed in the ear during a treatment; in the case of the latter, small beads are secured with medical tape to the points, which can thereafter be stimulated via self applied pressure, several times per day.
MOXA
Moxa (Moxibustion) is a type of heat therapy where the herb Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris) is burned close to the surface of the skin for the purpose of warming and stimulating Blood and Qi. Mugwort is a medicinal plant that is celebrated for promoting circulation, relieving pain and fostering a sense of calm and relaxation.
It is believed to enhance the body’s Qi, contributing to a strengthened immune system and overall wellbeing. Moxa is a complementary technique that I use where necessary in conjunction with other treatments, such as massage, reflexology and acupuncture. It has a characteristic, strong and lingering smell.