Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
The most common style of acupuncture. The concept of energetic lines or meridans are a diagnostic approach to the body. The patients symptoms are discovered and patterns are sought within the context of the meridans. A Traditional Chinese treatment then inserts needles in the related and balancing meridans in order to address the problem.
Trigger Point Acupuncture (also called dry needling).
Trigger point acupuncture is a western approach to acupuncture. In trigger point acupuncture, the pain is caused by a related, unnaturally tight muscle group. The acupuncturist uses touch to find the tight muscle and then an acupuncture needle is inserted into the offending muscle. The needle is probed slowly in order to evoke involuntary twitching of the tight muscle leading to a significant relaxation of that muscle and thus relief on the related pain.
Electroacupuncture
The application of electric stimulation to the acupuncture needles using small clips from a device that generates continuous electric pulses (like e-stim used in physical therapy and chiropractic care). It is generally used to make a treatment stronger in effect and used for pain.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is an Oriental medicine technique that involves the burning of an herb, mugwort also known as artemesia vulgaris or ai ye in Chinese, to warm acupuncture points or meridians.
This warming technique is used on people who have a cold and/or stagnant condition. The warming of acupuncture points and meridians leads to smoother flow of blood and qi and facilitates healing.
Cupping
Cups are applied to the area being treated by suction to the skin. Drawing up the skin and underlying tissue is believed to open up the skin’s pores, which helps to stimulate the flow of blood, balances and realigns the flow of qi, breaks up obstructions, and creates an avenue for toxins to be drawn out of the body.
Cupping is used primarily to treat respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, and congestion; arthritis; gastrointestinal disorders; and certain types of pain.
Gua-sha
Gua sha is a scraping techniques – a lubricating medium, such as massage oil, is applied and a smooth-edged instrument is used to apply short or long strokes on the skin, typically in the area of pain. This stroking motion creates raised redness (petechiae) or bruising (ecchymosis).
Gua sha is most commonly used to treat pain. It can also address conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, colds, flu, fever, heatstroke, fibromyalgia, strains, sprains, and muscle spasms.
It works by breaking up stagnation, to promote the smooth flow of blood and Qi in the area, thereby relieving pain.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese Herbal Medicine is extremely powerful and a holistic method of healing.
Chinese herbs can be used alone or in conjunction with acupuncture to treat a broader range of medical conditions. The herbs are remarkable in their ability to promote the body to heal and strengthen itself.
Like acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine is tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual. Chinese herbal formulas are designed to treat the symptoms and the underlying health pattern by restoring balance where an imbalance is found, and strengthening the immune system.
Chinese herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat people. As a result, the formulas are well tested and balanced and unwanted side effects rarely occur.
Nutritional and Life-Style Recommendations
The importance of nutrition, life-style and exercise is not overlooked in Oriental medicine. It is understood that the patient must take part in maintaining good health and recuperating from illness by making healthy choices.
Based on a persons constitution, different dietary and exercise recommendations may be made.
Rhonda does make the following recommendations to all of her patients:
- Maintain an anti-inflammatory and colorful diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid caffeine, excessive alcohol and smoking
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise
- Avoid over thinking and stress
- More specific recommendations are made depending on each individual’s problems
We specialize in the following:
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IVF support and Fertility
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Acupuncture Physical Medicine (APM) and trigger point release – treats chronic health conditions including pain using dry needling.
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Includes sports related injuries
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Repetitive strain disorders
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Back and neck pain
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Digestive problems
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Stress disorders
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