Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system 2,300 years old used to prevent or heal disease by maintaining or restoring balance in the body.
The World Health Organization recommends acupuncture for over 100 conditions.
Acupuncture and it’s modalities (Cupping, Guasha, Moxa, Tuina, Nutrition) are covered by most extended healthcare (insurance) policies.
TCM is used to relieve pain, increase mobility and function, reduce stress, anxiety, depression, emotional disorders, treat headache and migraines, digestive issues, dermatological issues, relieve PMS symptoms, regulate periods, treat gynaecological and male health issues, and many others.
Initial Consultation and Treatment: $135 (90 min)
Follow-up Treatments: $100 (60 min)
Initial Appointment
The initial appointment takes approximately 90 minutes. It is a One on One private treatment which gives us a chance to slow down and work more closely with you. During this appointment we will discuss the primary reason for your visit, along with your health and medical history, daily habits, nutrition and exercise regime, stress levels, and other concerns or questions you may have. In order to devise an accurate diagnosis and design a treatment plan it is important that I understand these patterns as they relate to you specifically.
Following the initial intake the Acupuncturist will make a diagnosis based on the information provided and recommend a treatment plan which will include Acupuncture, Cupping, Tuina, Guasha, Moxibustion or a combination of these therapies. In addition, you will be provided with exercise, dietary, and lifestyle recommendations to complement any treatment in the clinic. These daily practices preserve and reinforce the effects of the treatments and are important for sustaining long-term results.
Acupuncture
An acupuncture treatment consists of inserting one or more fine metal needles into various points on the body. These points correspond to and influence channels that are associated with the body’s various organs, muscles, and neurological system. Acupuncture is used to treat a wide variety of conditions including acute and chronic pain, inflammation, digestive disorders, asthma, anxiety, insomnia, addictions, weight management, autoimmune conditions, and chronic illness.
Cupping
Cupping is a treatment in which glass, plastic, or silicone cups are placed on parts of the body using suction. Cupping is an effective modality for increasing circulation, and eliminating congestion. It is known for treating stiff muscles, injuries, back and neck pain, anxiety, rheumatism, asthma and other respiratory conditions. Flash cupping is especially powerful for fighting off a cold in its beginning stages.
The suction is created either by briefly inserting an open flame into the cup before placing it on the skin or by attaching a pump that effectively sucks air from the cups, thereby creating suction. An open flame never comes near the skin itself but is simply used to create heat and suction inside the cups. In some cases the practitioner will apply therapeutic massage oils onto the skin. This allows the practitioner to gently slide the cups along the muscles.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion (also known as Moxa) is slightly less known than cupping, but a very important and effective TCM treatment all the same. A type of heat treatment, moxibustion is a therapy that consists of burning dried mug wart over various parts of the body. It is a useful therapy for menstrual pain, sexual disorders, cold symptoms, headaches, backaches and other issues related to circulation.
There are two types of moxibustion. For Indirect moxibustion a stick that looks like a cigar is ignited and held over the area, delivering a deep, warm sensation. For direct moxa a small rolled piece of mugwort is placed on a specific point on the body until the area gets hot and then the moxa is extinguished. This treatment does not involve placing an open flame near the skin and the patient should never feel that their skin is burning.
Tuina
Pronounced TWEE-nah, this is a form of Chinese massage in which skin is grasped, kneaded, rolled, and pressed with the fingers, palms and elbows. Working along the channels and on certain acupuncture points, Tuina is a complementary therapy to Acupuncture and is similar to Shiatsu or deep tissue massage.
Tuina is a vital hands-on therapy that releases and moves stagnation. It is used for pain relief and in the treatment of conditions such as musculoskeletal pain, sciatica, headaches, migraines, and digestive and respiratory problems. By improving blood flow, Tuina can be a very invigorating and enlivening type of therapy for those who suffer from excessive tension and sore muscles.
Guasha
During a guasha treatment a small tool with a smooth edge is stroked repeatedly across the skin, often on the upper back or the limbs. It treats the skin and the tissue just below the surface of the skin, creating small petechiae to which the body responds by sending immune messengers and blood flow to the area.
Guasha has traditionally been applied at the onset of catching colds with remarkable efficacy. It can reduce painful muscle spasms/ tension, increase sensory input and blood circulation, and improve range of motion.