Natural treatments to supplement acupuncture
Adjunctive techniques
CUPPING
Cupping has had a resurgence of popularity thanks to the recent Olympics, and namely, Michael Phelps. Similar to Gua Sha, cupping can help break up stagnation in the meridians that causes pain. Cupping is performed by attaching a cup, by suction, to the skin. This breaks up the capillaries in the area, resulting in what appears to be a perfectly round bruise, though unlike a bruise, it is not painful. The pooling of blood in the area helps to release the underlying muscles and relieve pain. In general, cupping is not a painful technique, but for new patients it may feel unusual, like the skin is being stretched tightly. Cupping can be effective maintenance for pain.
MOXIBUSTION
Moxa is used hand-in-hand with acupuncture, and has been for thousands of years. Even though the practice of burning moxa is less well known, it plays an extremely important part in an acupuncture treatment. The needles move energy in the body strongly, therefore breaking up stagnation in the channel system, while moxa works to build, nourish, and warm points and meridians.
GUA SHA
This practice is sometimes referring to as "coining" or "spooning." It is a great tool for moving blood stagnation that is the cause of tightness and/or pain. The skin may get quite red during Gua Sha, but the darker the "bruising" on the skin, the deeper the concentration of blood stagnation in that area, and the greater need for this treatment. Gua Sha can be performed in many places on the body, including the calves, quads, arms, and feet, and is commonly done on the neck and back.
OTHER TECHNIQUES
I choose to work extensively with the energetics of the Chakra system during many of my treatments; particularly treatments involving a mental/emotional/spiritual component. Having studied Esoteric Acupuncture with Dr. Mikio Sankey, I now incorporate crystals, a pendulum, astral oils, tuning forks, and sound therapy into many of my treatments.
Having recently completed my Reiki II certification with Uma Gaia more and more Reiki elements are also being incorporated when appropriate.
Finally, since my heart lies with both acupuncture and yoga, many “take-home” yoga practices are often given as homework, as well as pranyama (breathwork), mindfulness, and the use of mantra during treatments.
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