Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient therapeutic technique from a time when the feudal Asian peoples were more nomadic and did not have reliable access to herbal medicine.  Over thousands of years of observation and empirical data, indications for acupoints were classified into elegant systems and catalogued within classical texts.  In many cases needle techniques, locations of points and diagnostic methods, including those involving the change of seasons and other cyclical patterns were transmitted orally and became part of a family lineage.

The original needles were made of stone and/or bone and were much thicker than the fine, filiform needles used today.  Our understanding of the ‘heavenly streams’- the acupuncture channels- are one of the many gifts to humanity endowed upon us by the ancient Taoists who sat in deep meditation and sensed these esoteric paths within themselves.  The points derived from these paths represent nexuses where channels cross and facilitate communication (through the skin, muscles, fascia and other tissues) into the patient’s energetic and physical body matrix.  As a therapy, acupuncture influences the three levels of mind, body and spirit.

Acupuncture is indicated for many illnesses including but not limited to:

• Acute and chronic pain
• Smoking and other addictions
• Digestive disorders
• Respiratory disorders
• Gynecological and Urological disorders
• Pediatric problems
• Eye disorders
• Aesthetic, rejuvenating facial therapy

Acupuncture therapy may include and of the following modalities:

• Manual massage therapy (tuina)
• Moxibustion (herbal heat therapy)
• Infrared heat therapy
• Electro-stimulation acupuncture
• Auricular (ear) acupuncture
• Cupping
• Diet therapy
• Hot stone therapy