Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been practiced for many thousands of years. It has been formally recognized by the World Health Organization as being an effective and legitimate form of health care. When we are ill or in pain, or if the body is not functioning as it should, the body’s system is considered to be out of balance. Acupuncture relieves pain and illness, and restores normal function, by bringing the body back into balance. Proper circulation of blood and energy is necessary to reduce pain and overcome illness, and an acupuncturist chooses specific points on the body to restore this circulation. Acupuncture is safe when administered by a qualified, registered practitioner.

While traditional acupuncture forms the primary treatment, we regularly use other techniques, such as theraputic massage, electro-acupuncture, cupping, guasha and moxibustion. No two patients are the same, so no two problems are ever quite the same. This is why our treatment is always different for each person. These other techniques can, when appropriate, greatly complement and strengthen the effect of the acupuncture.

Cupping & Guasha

These are excellent techniques for treating muscle aches and pain, and in some cases for relieving colds and chest infection. Cupping involves creating a vacuum inside a sterilized glass cup, which is then placed on the area to be treated.

Guasha (‘scraping’) involves scraping the surface of the skin with a guasha tool. Common places to receive guasha are the back and neck. Sometimes bruising will appear after treatment but this is normal and will disappear within 3-5 days.

Herbal Medicine

Like acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine has a long history. Chinese herbal formulae were recorded in some of the world’s earliest medical books.

There are three important factors to consider when prescribing a herbal formula – quality, safety, and efficacy. We prescribe herbs in granule form because they are easy for our patients to prepare. Our herbal medicine is subjected to the most stringent quality control processes. This ensures that your herbs contain no impurities or substitutions and are correctly identified.

We tailor each patient’s herbal medicine formula to their constitution and presenting condition. This prescription is then made up in our clinic during your treatment and is ready for you when you leave.

We choose this approach because we are dedicated to providing the best possible herbal formula for each patient.

Theraputic massage

Theraputic massage involves rigorous and often deep massage to get the circulation flowing properly and restore proper function. We use some massage in conjunction with acupuncture in appropriate cases.

Moxibustion

Moxa is an ancient Chinese medical technique which involves burning a dried herb (Artemisia Vulgaris – mugwort) and placing it near the body’s surface. Moxa is used to treat a wide variety of health problems

Electro-acupuncture

This technique involves applying an electric current through acupuncture needles, and is very useful for treating muscle aches and pain. The sensation usually feels like mild pins and needles.