Acupuncture is used to influence circulation throughout the whole body.  This is achieved by inserting tiny, hair thin needles into specific acupoints.  While a portion of this is the circulation of blood and lymph fluid, it is mainly used to influence the movement of "Qi."  Qi is the vital energy that circulates through our bodies along set pathways called channels or meridians.  When Qi is blocked, pain and illness are allowed to occur, much like when a river becomes obstructed by a fallen branch, or a dam.  Encouraging Qi to flow in the proper direction and removing these blockages is what resolves pain and illness.

 

Depending on the condition, Jamie will select points based on the symptoms, as well as the patient's constitution.  This allows for a highly customized treatment which addresses not only the superficial issues, but also the root cause of the problem. A typical acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of anywhere from 5-20 tiny, sterile needles into specific points on the body.  Normally a patient will rest or sleep with needles in a quiet room, on a heated massage table for 25-45 minutes.  

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Often it is necessary to use some other techniques along with acupuncture for maximum therapeutic benefit.  Jamie will determine at the time of treatment if any of these additional treatments are necessary for you.  Such types of treatments are as follows:

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Aroma Acupoint Therapy

Aroma Acupoint Therapy, or AAT, is a gentle, completely safe and yet profoundly effective treatment modality that utilizes the energetic potential locked within pure essential oils. Treatment involves placing particular oils on specific acupoints or reflex zones on the body in order to trigger energetic changes in the individual that will bring them back to a state of balance. Aroma Acupoint Therapy works on the basis of mutual resonance through the systematic and intentional combination of essential oils and acupoints, resulting in a more significant clinical effect than using either of these treatment methods alone.

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Cupping

Recently made famous by the 2016 Olympics, cupping has been around for thousands of years.  Cupping is used to increase circulation in a small area.  By doing this, areas of muscles tension can easily be relieved, but that's not all.  Cupping can also improve circulation, increase energy, and boost the immune system.  

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Moxabustion

Moxabusion, or Moxa, refers to the use of the  herb mugwort to warm areas of the body.  Moxa can be used on individual acupoints, or can warm large areas of the body.  There are many reasons to use moxa, but mainly it is used for warming, relieving pain, and increasing energy.  

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Tui Na

Tui Na is a form of body work that was developed by the Shaolin Monks.  They realized that if they could damage a body using kung fu, they had better know how to put it back together again.  That being said, it is a therapeutic type of body work aimed at realigning structures.  

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Tui na is often combined with acupuncture when rehabilitating the body from pain and injury.  

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Gua Sha

Gua Sha is a method of scraping, similar to cupping in it's effects of increasing local circulation, relieving muscle tension and improving immunity.  Gua Sha, however, can be used in places that cups can not be attached, and can cover a larger area quickly.

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