Services
Typical Procedure of Treatment
The typical treatment usually takes from 45 minutes to one hour except for the first visit (extra 30 minutes for a paper work and consultation). After the initial consultation, the tongue, pulse and abdomen are examined. Palpation of meridians and acupuncture points in arms and legs are also involved. The treatment usually starts with the front side of the body mainly to treat underlying cause of health problem called “root treatment”. Here, mostly the five elements points are used to harmonize or reduce energy in other acupuncture meridians. This tends to normalize the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. It is profoundly relaxing; it promotes homeostasis. Then the back side is treated to work on symptoms called “branch treatment”. Needles are usually retained in the back for 10-15 minutes. Many patients fall asleep during treatment because they are simply relaxed. In some conditions, use of moxibustion, electrical stimulation, cupping, interdermal needles or kinesio tapes and/or high quality traditional oriental herbal formulas is recommended.
Moxibustion (Moxa) – Three different types of moxa.
Direct Moxa
small cone of dry mugwart herb is directly placed on the skin and ignited. It is often used for cold & deficient conditions. The cone is mostly removed from the skin in order to avoid burns.
Indirect Moxa (Chinetsukyu)
larger size of moxa cone indirectly placed on the skin and ignited like direct moxa. About the half way down, the cone is removed from skin. It is used for swelling or hardness in surface level.
Indirect Moxa (Kyutoshin)
small ball of moxa is placed on top of the needles and ignited. Heat penetrates into deeper level of tissue through needles. It is very useful to remove blood stagnation.
Electrical stimulation
attaching electrodes to needles to send a weak electric current to acupuncture points. For some conditions, stronger stimulation of muscle is needed; mostly for paralyzed conditions or stubborn pain.
Cupping
a suction cup by pumping attached to the skin surface (usually the back) to bring the blood to the surface level. Often used for tight muscles.
Interdermal needles
Hinai-shin (intra-dermal needle) and Enpi-shin (press tack needle) are used to stimulate acupuncture points by retaining very thin and short needles right under the skin, secured by adhesive tape. These needles are left in patient’s body for a number of days to enhance and lengthen the treatment effect.
Kinesio tape
very flexible and stretchable cloth tape is attached on the joints to support movements as an extra muscle.
Oriental herbal formula
our herbal products are imported from both Japanese and Taiwanese manufacturers under the strictest government regulations. The combination of acupuncture and herbal treatments often speeds the healing process.
