Cupping is an ancient cultural modality used globally throughout many generations. Glass, plastic and silicon cups are suctioned onto the body to move Qi and Blood, nourish tissue, and ease inflammation, to help promote healing to an area of tension in the body. Cupping may leave behind colorful dark circles - these are not bruises. Instead, these are zones of excessive heat, chronic accumulation and inflammation where cellular debris is now ready to move away and out of the body. Cups may be applied stationary or with a sliding technique based on the practitioner’s assessment.

After Care: Keep cupping area covered and warm. Drink plenty of water. Rest! Marks may last up to 2-3 weeks

Gua generally means to scrape or scratch, but as Nielson clarifies, “it’ smore accurately describes as a unidirectional instrument-assisted press-stroking”. Gua Sha is a method of warming and stretching tissue and fascia over a large area. It works to release the exterior, vent heat, move fluids and clear stasis in the body. This helps to strengthen body’s immune response and relieve pain.

Gua Sha may leave red marks, referred to as therapeutic petechiae or Sha , but this redness should subside in 2-4 days. It is important to keep the area of treatment covered. Avoid overly salty, sour or cold foods. Stay hydrated and take it easy and allow the body to rebuild.

Moxa is from mugwort and it is burned over acupuncture points to warm, strengthen and nourish the body. Moxibustion is also used to promote circulation and blood cell formation. There are many different forms and applications of moxa and for those who are sensitive to smoke, there are even smoke-less forms of this herbal therapy as well.

Electroacupuncture, electric stimulation, aka estim. This is a modality of acupuncture where the acupuncture needles are connected to an electric current to send a stimulating pulsation to the acupuncture points or local muscle groups. Studies have shown that estim significantly alleviates inflammatory, neuropathic, cancer and visceral pain. Blocking pain by activating a variety of bioactive chemicals through peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal mechanisms, such as inhibiting spinal glial cell activation and decreasing cytokines to alleviate pain. It has also been shown to increase the healing rate of injured tissues by releasing mesenchymal stem cells. Estim is a great treatment option for those suffering with chronic stress and pain. (Zang, et al., 2014)

Nutrition in TCM follows the Taoist path in its quest to live and eat in harmony with the world around them. Instead of counting calories, Eastern nutrition examines the energetic properties of foods, seasons and preparations because food is medicine. The goal is to correct disharmonies within the body with whole foods. Just to scratch the surface, Chinese nutrition divides foods into their energetic properitis such as warming, cooling, drying and lubricating. Buildng and incorporating a diet that reconnects you with your body in the hopes of living a balanced and healthy life. A great resoure for those wishing to know more is : The Tao of Nutrition by Maoshng Ni, Ph.D., C.A. with Cathy McNease, B.S., M.H.