Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
Treatment Methods:
What is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is a collection of procedures involving penetration of the skin with different kinds of sterile, stainless steel needles to regulate the flow of blood circulation in the body. It is one of the oldest healing modalities in the world. Acupuncture works by regulating tissue planes to enhance circulation, blood and oxygen flow and restore the body's innate ability to heal. It helps to gently and consistently repair the nervous system to a proper tone. 
What are Chinese Herbs? The Chinese materia medica contains thousands of medicinal substances—primarily plants, but also some minerals and animal products—classified by their action in the body. Different parts of plants such as the leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds are used internally or topically. Usually, herbs are combined into formulas and given as teas, capsules, tinctures, or powders. It is a very effective modality when employed correctly. At the clinic, we have hundreds of dried, granulated herbs that we make into a formula to drink daily, like a tea. We also have some capsulated herbs and bulk dried herbs for cooking. All amazing and effective ways of using herbal medicine to help the body grow and heal.
What is Moxibustion? 'Direct' Moxibustion is the application of a protective salve and an herb (usually mugwort~artemisia) onto the skin. The herb is burned until you feel the heat, then the herb is removed from the skin. 'Indirect' moxibustion is the use of an herbal stick or bamboo box that is warmed and held a few inches away from the skin to provide targeted but gentle warmth. Moxibustion is performed to adjust the body’s circulation to alleviate pain, provide relief from a variety of symptoms related to an illness, and support overall health and well-being.
What is cupping? Cupping therapy is a form of treatment that uses suction to place rounded glass cups on the skin to improve circulation, open and relax the underlying tissue, and remove toxicity from the body. Cupping is also used with colds, sinus infections and upper chest congestion to help clear the lungs and open the chest. A wonderful, safe treatment modality to improve health in many ways.
What is gua sha? Gua sha is a very effective manual treatment technique, also called "spooning or scraping." We use a flat, thin piece of jade, stone, or ceramic to brush over the skin, allowing toxins, illness or pain holding-patterns to be released from the skin, fascial and muscle layer. This is a common home technique in asian households that is effective for a wide range of ailments. It is also used on the skin to release tension and smooth lines.
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Our Acupuncturists are highly-trained, licensed Chinese Medicine practitioners with experience treating a wide variety of ailments including chronic and acute pain, illness, autoimmune disease, fertility, cancer support, nerve disorders, emotional imbalances and general wellness. At The Light Clinic, we look at the person as a whole, and have the ability to draw upon many modalities, including Classical Chinese Medicine, Dream Work, diet therapy, CranioSacral Therapy, stone therapy, fascial work, energy work, guided meditation, and anything else the person and body may need to help make it a whole, healthy, functioning organism.
The practitioners at The Light Clinic practice Classical Chinese Medicine, as differentiated from Traditional Chinese Medicine. To read more about the history and resurgence click here. GOOD FOR:Chronic & Acute Pain
Low Back/Sciatica Joint Pain Stress and Tightness Digestive Issues Life Balance Fertility, Pregnancy, Labor & Postpartum Anxiety & Depression Fibromyalgia Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Chronic Fatigue Migraines Stroke Recovery Sleep Disturbances Auto-Immune Disorders Lyme Disease ...and much more Anatomy:
Ancient Chinese anatomy has many similarities to modern biomedical anatomy. In the Huangdi Neijing, which is the central text of Chinese medicine written over 2,000 years ago in the Warring States period, the authors give striking and incredibly detailed descriptions of blood vessel circulation. At the time, dissections were becoming a more common practice as advances in battlefield medicine were desperately needed. The Huangdi Neijing posits that illness can exist in different tissues of the body, whether it be the bones, tendons, joints, muscles, skin, blood vessels, organs, etc. In Asian medicine, there is an anatomical structure of great interest called the jing 經, or channels, which has unnecessarily become quite a mystery in the West. According to Neijing theory, however, the channels simply refer to the graining patterns of the body, composed of fascial planes in which blood vessels and nerves often run. They are the grooves of pattern and connection throughout the body. Proper diagnosis of the location of illness and its pathogenesis through time is key to determining the appropriate treatment strategy. Needles are used to regulate the 'terrain' of the body, restoring proper circulation and thereby maximizing the organizational capacity of the body (more on that below). Acupuncture is a very versatile, safe, effective and efficient modality. The Shen 神: In the Huangdi Neijing, the Yellow Emperor told his most trusted advisor, Qibo, over 2,000 years ago, the first principle of acupuncture is it must be rooted in shen 神. Shen 神is the Chinese term for an activating light that brings organization to chaos. It is often compared to the Western idea of the ‘spirit.' Physically, the shen 神 is carried through the blood circulation, which can be impaired genetically or from physical or mental/emotional trauma. Dis-ease arises from an inability of the body to properly organize itself. The needle acts essentially as a 'shen 神 organizer,' clearing tissue obstructions and restoring the body's circulation. Thus acupuncture can help regulate the physical body as well as the emotional and spiritual body. Needling: Everyone feels the acupuncture needles differently. Some people do not feel the needles go in at all. Some people are more sensitive. In a treatment, there will definitely be some sensation. We are asking your body to make a change, and that is an active process. Our practitioners are very experienced and will work together with you every step of the way to make sure your experience is productive and positive. We like to say that the patient is the captain of the ship and we are just the river guides. Acupuncture needles are thin, sterile, single-use instruments, making them both safe, effective and typically comfortable. How we treat at the clinic: As you have read above, the Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) of The Light Clinic practitioners is one of deep roots, deep science and art, and deep efficacy. Yes "it works," yes it is based in science and anatomy, yes it treats specific symptoms along with the whole person's constitution, yes it is natural, and yes it is a whole, science-based medicine that has existed for 4,000 years. In your initial acupuncture appointment at The Light Clinic, your practitioner will go over your medical history, perform a physical examination, and come up with an assessment. You will then work together to determine a treatment plan and strategy that works for you. You will also receive your first treatment in the same session if you so desire. |