NON-NEEDLE THERAPY

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)

Untitled document

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), includes a range of traditional medicine practices originating in China. TCM practices include such treatments as Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, acupressure massage and Gua Sha.

Cupping Therapy (non-needle therapy)

THE BOUTIQUE TV Appearance (Maori Television)

Cupping is an ancient Chinese method of causing local congestion. A partial vacuum is created in cups placed on the skin either by means of heat or suction. This draws up the underlying tissues. When the cup is left in place on the skin for a few minutes, blood stasis is formed and localized healing takes place.

Cupping therapy has been further developed as a means to open the 'Meridians' of the body. Meridians are the conduits in the body through which energy flows to every part of the body and through every organ and tissue. There are five meridians on the back that, when opened, allow invigorating energy to travel the whole length of the body. It has been found that cupping is probably the best way of opening those meridians.
Cupping has also been found to affect the body up to four inches into the tissues, causing tissues to release toxins, activate the lymphatic system, clear colon blockages, help activate and clear the veins, arteries and capillaries, activate the skin, clear stretch marks and improve varicose veins. Cupping is the best deep tissue massage available.

Click here to see more information about Cupping massage

How does cupping work?
In a typical cupping session, glass cups are warmed using a cotton ball or other flammable substance, which is soaked in alcohol, let, then placed inside the cup. Burning a substance inside the cup removes all the oxygen, which creates a vacuum.
As the substance burns, the cup is turned upside-down so that the practitioner can place the cup over a specific area. The vacuum created by the lack of oxygen anchors the cup to the skin and pulls it upward on the inside of the glass as the air inside the jar cools.
Depending on the condition being treated, the cups will be left in place from 5 to 10 minutes. Several cups may be placed on a patient’s body at the same time.

Is cupping safe? Does it hurt?
While cupping is considered relatively safe (especially air cupping, which does not include the risk of fire and heat), it can cause some swelling and bruising on the skin. As the skin under a cup is drawn up, the blood vessels at the surface of the skin expand. This may result in small, circular bruises on the areas where the cups were applied. These bruises are usually painless, however, and disappear within a few days of treatment.
In addition, there are several instances where cupping should not be performed. Patients with inflamed skin; cases of high fever or convulsions; and patients who bleed easily, are not suitable candidates for cupping. Pregnant women should not have cupping on their stomach or lower back. If the cups are being moved, they should not cross bony areas, such as the ridges of the spine or the shoulder blades.

Moxibustion (non-needle therapy)

The Moxa herb is used by TCM practitioners for its warming and tonifying characteristics. Moxibustion (the process of burning Moxa) either on a needle or directly on the skin helps build the Qi and rid the body of excess moisture. Patients usually enjoy this sensation of warmth and find it very relaxing. The heat never gets close enough to the skin to burn.

Auricular Acupuncture (non-needle therapy)

The human ear is like a neurological switch-board for the whole body. There are hundreds of acupuncture points in the ear alone. Specific points can be stimulated to aid detoxification, reduce pain, control hunger, calm anxiety or treat just about any condition.

Gua Sha (non-needle therapy)

›Gua Sha body massage

Gua Sha is a Chinese treatment, similar in effect to cupping. Gua stands for rubbing or friction, Sha stands for congested or stagnant blood at the surface of the body. In this procedure, massage oil is applied to the skin of the area to be treated. A smooth-edged instrument is used by the acupuncturist to apply short or long strokes on the skin, typically in the area of pain or on the back parallel to the spine. This stroking motion creates raised redness or bruising. Pain, both acute and chronic, is the most common indication for gua sha. In the TCM tradition, pain is oftentimes caused by the stagnation of blood in the local area of discomfort. The guiding principle behind gua sha is that this technique has the ability to break up stagnation, to promote the smooth flow of blood in the area, thereby relieving pain. While gua sha is most commonly used to treat pain, it can also be utilized by TCM clinicians to address conditions such as strains, sprains, and muscle spasms.

›Facial Gua Sha massage

Facial Gua Sha is a technique originated from a Traditional Chinese Medicine.
It is one of the traditional natural therapy. The technique can be performed by a massage using Specially designed for facial Gua Sha massage and using 43 acupuncture points, nerve endings and lymph nodes as guide. The state of a person’s complexion reflects the state of his or her organs and general well-being.

Body and Facial Gua Sha massage