Acupuncture is a system of medicine that involves the insertion of very thin needles through the skin and muscle tissue to various depths at strategic points on the body. Insertion doesn’t usually cause much discomfort. A typical treatment uses 5 to 20 needles. You may feel a mild aching sensation when a needle reaches the correct depth. Acupuncture is used to alleviate pain, promote overall wellness, help with stress management and to treat various physical, mental, and emotional conditions.

Electroacupuncture is a modern variation of traditional acupuncture that uses small electrodes attached to the ends of needles to stimulate individual points as well as larger areas of the body. Depending on the technique, it can release tight muscles in spasm or stimulate weaker muscles to promote healing and build strength.

Cupping therapy is a technique similar to massage that applies suction topically to the skin and muscles to help alleviate pain and inflammation. It promotes fascia release, better circulatio, relaxation and general well-being. It also can be used to treat scar tissue.

Gua sha therapy is a technique that involves the gentle scraping of the skin with a gua sha tool to improve circulation, move lymph, reset the fascia and ease muscle tension. It is used to treat pain and inflammation and it has been found to help the immune system and promote faster recovery from colds, flus, sinus infections, allergies and other illness. It can also be used to treat scar tissue.

Moxibustion is a type of heat therapy that involves the burning of processed mugwort leaves, also know as moxa, close to or directly on the skin’s surface. Moxa is believed to enhance healing by promoting circulation and its been found to promote immunity by increasing the body’s white blood cell count. The smoke from the moxa has a calming effect on the nervous system, so it can be helpful in the treatment of anxiety. It can also be used to safely remove benign skin blemishes, such as moles and warts.

Chinese herbal medicines are mainly plant based, but some preparations include minerals or animal products. Herbs can be used alone or together in formulas. They are used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including digestive issues, mood disorders and neurological conditions, to name a few. They can be used both topically and internally and are packaged as powders, pastes, lotions or tablets, depending on the herb and its intended use. Herbs can act on the body as powerfully as pharmaceutical drugs and should be treated with the same caution and respect.

Food therapy is based in the philosophy that the root of good health begins with our eating habits. Food therapy considers each individual’s specific constitution as well as environmental factors and five element theory to provide clients with appropriate food recommendations for all seasons and phases of life.

Tui na is a type of massage that uses a variety of hand and arm techniques, traction, range of body motion, and stimulation of acupressure points to treat both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. The name comes from two of the actions: tui, which means to push and na, which means to lift and squeeze.

Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit. Essential oils can be inhaled or directly applied to the skin to treat a variety of conditions. Aromatherapy is most commonly used to treat respiratory infections, relieve pain, stress and generally improve mood.

Auricular acupuncture involves stimulating specific points on the ear believed to correspond with different organs, areas of the body, emotions and sensory feelings. The points can be activated using both acupuncture needles and/or ear seeds, which are tiny metallic beads attached to a small piece of adhesive material that are placed on the surface of the ear. Auricular acupuncture can be used for a wide range of issues, such as pain relief, stress management, allergies, and management of chronic diseases, to name a few. It is also used to help with withdrawal symptoms associated with addiction and detox. (See NADA protocol below).

The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) protocol, is a simple standardized auricular treatment used primarily to treat to addiction as well as mental health issues such as trauma, PTSD, chronic stress, and the symptoms associated with these conditions. The protocol involves the bilateral insertion of 5 needles into predetermined points on each ear.