Acupuncture and Moxibustion

What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the 5 branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  It is the insertion of ultra-fine needles into specific acu-points (tsubo) with the goal of prompting the body to return to a state of balanced health.

How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture works by improving circulation, stimulating the immune response by increasing white blood cells, reducing inflammation and swelling, and by changing the body’s perception of pain.  In TCM terms it restores the normal flow and function of chi (ki) within the body.  Ki is a substance and a force that moves in palpable pathways throughout the body at various levels.  The acu-points and channels that are stimulated during a treatment each have a specific effect on the Ki.  Many westerners refer to Ki as life-force energy.

Will it work?
Yes, acupuncture works.  When a holistic approach is taken to one's health, including acupuncture, nutrition and lifestyle, the effect is even more favorable.

What is Moxibustion?
Moxibustion stimulates acu-points using heat. The prepared herb, mugwort (mogusa), is rolled into small 1/2 ricegrain size cones and set on a burn cream protected point.  The cone is then ignited by incense and allowed to burn nearly completely down, creating a pleasant warming sensation.

What is Meridian Therapy and Japanese Acupuncture?
Meridian Therapy was created in Japan in the early 20th century and represents the desire of a few dedicated practitioners of the day to revive a classical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of disease in modern times.
Meridian Therapy is ideal for the modern patient who wants an effective and gentle treatment.  Diagnosis focuses on pulse taking and palpation of the abdomen and meridians; with treatment then focusing on establishing balance in the meridians and bringing vitality to the pulses.  In this way, the patient's whole being is guided toward a state of health.
Meridian Therapy is an ideal style of acupuncture for those who are scared of needles, children, elderly, people who are needle sensitive, ill or just like the idea of minimal needle insertion with maximum effect.

What will the treatment be like?
A typical treatment in this style begins with a diagnostic evaluation that includes palpation of the pulse, the abdomen and the channels of ki as appropriate.  Light and gentle needling is performed to harmonize the ki in the channels while the practitioner confirms the effectiveness of the points by re-checking the pulse and/or abdomen, and by patient feedback.  The patient may or may not feel the needles being shallowly inserted or a sensation at the point or along the channel.  After the treatment on the front of the body (usually 10-15 minutes), the patient lays on their stomach and the practitioner needles points on the back of the body.  The points on the back are especially nourishing so the back treatment is longer (about 20 minutes) and often includes more moxa than the front treatment.  Other modalities commonly used to stimulate points and channels include gentle scraping and rubbing and acupressure with specialty tools and massage.  A treatment usually lasts from 30 to 60 minutes.

Reiki

What is Reiki?
According to its founder, Dr. Mikao Usui, Reiki is a spiritual and energetic healing technique.  The practitioner channels life force energy (ki) through their hands in order to promote the health of the patient.

There are three levels of Reiki Training.  Level 1 allows the practitioner to work directly with a patient doing a typical 30-60 minute hands on treatment.  Level 2 gives the practitioner the ability to work on a client whether or not they are in physical proximity.  Level 3 is known as a Master and is the level needed for a practitioner to teach Reiki to others.

Reiki sessions last anywhere from 1/2 hour to an hour and are extremely relaxing.

(The picture above was taken at the top of the mountain Dr. Usui discovered Reiki:  Mt. Kurama, near Kyoto, Japan.)