Your Acupuncture Treatment 

Acupuncture, Advanced Dry Needling, Acupressure, Herbal Medicine, Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), Cupping, Gua Sha,  Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), Moxibustion, Electro-Acupuncture, Medical Massage Therapy, Shiatsu, Tuina, Kinesio Taping, TDP mineral light therapy,  Foot Reflexology, Applied Kinesiology,  Aromatherapy, and Qi Gong may be a part of your treatment.  Each technique is explained below:

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles through the skin into the acupuncture points.  This is generally a painless procedure and leads to deep levels of relaxation experienced during the treatment. 

Advanced Dry Needling involves the insertion of acupuncture needles to release trigger points.  These trigger points often cause intense muscle and joint pain.  Trigger points can be fully released by dry needling.

Acupressure involves the use of thumb or finger pressure on specific acupuncture points to unblock the flow of energy in the tissue and restore harmony and balance.  This technique will oftentimes result in a significant decrease in pain.

Herbal Medicine involves the use of East Asian herbs and other natural substances to restore the body to balance and health. 

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), which is also known as cold laser therapy, is a technique that uses a laser to treat areas of the body that are in pain or are injured.  The laser light does not feel cold.  It is room temperature.  Low level laser therapy can be used on most parts of the body that are in pain.  The acupuncture points and points in the painful area are treated directly with the laser.

Cupping is a technique that uses cups on the skin to create a type of suction.  These cups are used to remove stagnation from an area of the body.

Gua sha is a TCM procedure that involves gentle massage-like scraping of an area of the body with a spoon or jade stone to alleviates the stagnation of Qi (pronounced Chee) and blood deep within the tissue. 

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) is a form of muscle therapy that involves using specialized tools to manipulate soft tissues in the body, such as muscles, tendons, and fascia. The technique is used to detect and treat myofascial restrictions, improve range of motion, and decrease pain.

Electro-Acupuncture uses a small electric current stream that can be connected to Acupuncture needles.  This procedure increases circulation and is used specifically if stronger stimulation of the needles is required.  It is often used for musculoskeletal issues and/or sports injuries.

Medical Massage Therapy, Shiatsu, and Tuina are all manual bodywork techniques.  Medical Massage Therapy techniques allow for a direct manipulation of the muscles and soft tissue structures of the body to release tension and aid in relaxation.  Shiatsu and Tuina are Oriental bodywork technques that aid and promote the smooth flow of Qi through the meridians.

Kinesio Taping  Kinesio Taping, also known as Kinesiotaping, was developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase in 1973. Kinesio Taping helps to reduce pain and has an affect on many systems of the body including the circulatory/lymphatic system, the nervous system,  the muscular and connective tissue/ fascial systems, and the joints. Kinesio Taping changes muscle tone, move lymphatic fluids, correct movement patterns, and improve posture. (medicinenet.com) 

TDP Mineral Lamp is a type of heating lamp that is placed over the skin. TDP mineral lamps coincide with the intensity of electromagnetic wavelengths that are released by human body.  Through a mineral plate, the TDP lamp emits 33 essential minerals which are vital to our cells and tissues.  Through these processes, the lamp has been known to promote metabolism, regulate physiological deficiency, diminish inflammation and ease pain. 

Foot Reflexology involves the use of pressure points on the feet to promote healing.

Applied Kinesiology utilizes muscle testing to help determine energy blockages and imbalances in the system.

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for harmony and balance.  These oils, which are natural derivatives from plants, have powerful balancing properties.  Oils such as lavender, lemon, grapefruit, frankincense, and myrrh (and many others) may be used.

QiGong is a relaxation/exercise technique that may be recommended for you to enable deep levels of relaxation and healing.