Treatment Modalities

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses a range of modalities to stimulate the body’s innate healing capacity and to establish a balanced state of health. The following modalities may be used or requested. An acupuncture treatment may include additional services such as cupping, gua sha or tuina at no additional charge.

Acupuncture

Thin, disposable, sterile needles are inserted in acupuncture, trigger, or ashi points located throughout the body. This stimulates the body’s healing response and helps with pain relief. Needling may sometimes cause a tingling sensation and/or, a dull, heavy or aching feeling. Usually, the treatment is relaxing and not painful. The needles are left in place for about 15-30 minutes and may be manipulated after insertion. Acupuncture techniques may include traditional body needling, electric, and auricular (ear) acupuncture.

Electrostimulation can be used along with acupuncture to address musculoskeletal pain. This treatment uses small electrodes attached to the acupuncture needles to send an electrical impulse into the muscle.

Acupressure

A spring-loaded acupressure tool, solid hand probe, or a finger/thumb is used to apply pressure to specific points on the body. This stimulates the body’s healing response and can help with pain relief. Acupressure is also sometimes used to confirm the location of a point to be needled. Acupressure may be used as part of a treatment and where appropriate taught for self-care.

Tuina

Differs from other forms of massage in that it is used to treat specific illnesses of an internal nature as well as muscular skeletal ailments.

Tuina uses stretches, pressure points and manipulation techniques to work with the body in realignment.

Cupping

Ancient Egyptians used cupping over 5,500 years ago, and the therapy spread to cultures around the world. It was used for respiratory conditions, but it has evolved over the years for the treatment of pain relief and musculoskeletal injuries, such as sprains, back strains, and inflammation.

Cupping involves placing plastic, silicon, or glass suctioning cups on the body. Inside the cup, a suction force pulls skin upward. Your body treats the cupping area like a micro trauma and sends blood to the area to stimulate the healing process. Cupping may leave marks of small bruising that generally disappear after several days to a week.

K-Taping or Kinesiology Tape (Extra charge)

The use of a high-end tape that mimics the elasticity of human muscles. K-Tape is used in muscle, ligament, corrective, and lymphatic applications. In some cases, K-taping is used to extend Acupuncture & Tuina treatments providing pain reduction, improved blood circulation, decrease inflammation, postural correction, and improved joint stability. The application of K-tape is also possible as a stand-alone treatment.

Moxibustion

For certain conditions, acupuncture points may be warmed by burning the Mugwort herb (Artemisia vulgaris) above the area of treatment or on the end of an inserted needle bring the warmth deeper into the body via the needles. Moxibustion is a form of heat application in the treatment of pain due to injury or arthritis. It also helps with digestive problems to alleviate cold patterns.

Gua Sha

Gua Sha involves rubbing the skin with a special tool and has been used traditionally for centuries to boost circulation. It acts on the fascia and interstitial spaces activating immune response on acute diseases. Gua Sha increases blood flow, breaks up scar tissue, helps chronic pain and generally improves the health of the entire body.

Herbal formulas (Alberta only) & supplemental products

Upon request, custom herbal formulas, in the form of a crystalize tea or capsules, can be made to treat some conditions at an additional cost based on ingredients and volumes used.

The clinic carries a select number of products to help with relief for general pain & inflammation.

CranioSacral Therapy by Gerri Aiudi

CranioSacral therapy is a hands-on approach using soft touch to evaluate and then release restrictions in the craniosacral system – this system consists of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
CranioSacral therapy also addresses connective tissue in the body specifically the dura that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (or central nervous system). All the cranial nerves and spinal nerves must exit through the dura and thus restrictions in the dura can affect their function. That is why craniosacral therapy can have a wide range of influences – affecting the balance and function of the majority of the systems in the body.   Find out more…