ASIAN MEDICINE

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What is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is a key component of many Asian medicine practices and offers various acupuncture benefits, including pain relief and improved wellness. For more detailed insights, visit https://nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction or explore the latest research on acupuncture and electrostimulation at www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org, which also delves into the role of herbal medicine therapies in enhancing overall health.

In Asian medicine practices, diet and lifestyle are the foundation of self-care and healing, emphasizing the importance of daily and seasonal regimens. These practices complement acupuncture benefits and herbal medicine therapies for holistic wellness.

We practice Chinese herbalism, Kampo, and Ayurveda, drawing on various Asian medicine practices. Our approach integrates the principles of Internal and External medicine alongside the rich tradition of herbal medicine therapies, which enhances our understanding of the acupuncture benefits.

In the image above you’ll find a quote by one of my favorite physicians - Gampopa. In one of his medical treatises, he distinguishes the Chinese cultural approach of applying multiple moxa cones whereas in his tradition he applied fewer applications with a larger amount.

In Japanese moxibustion, we employ multiple, successive grain-size moxa applications, or a larger moxa ball with a ‘shield’ to safeguard the skin.

Modern methods include heat lamps, but these do not create the same heating and penetrating effect.

Application of heat through direct and indirect moxibustion, utilizing the herb commonly known as 'mugwort,' is a significant aspect of various Asian medicine practices. We practice Japanese, Korean, and Chinese methods to harness the acupuncture benefits these therapies provide. For more information on the mechanism of moxibustion, you can visit: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3789413/. Additionally, a notable study published in JAMA in 1998 focused on the effectiveness of moxibustion for breech presentations: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/188144.

External and manual therapies are utilized for orthopedics, sports medicine, rheumatic conditions, and a variety of chronic and internal disorders. Among the fascinating Asian medicine practices, guasha and cupping are unique myofascial therapies that are increasingly sought after for their therapeutic benefits. These methods are often popular for detoxification, pain reduction, improved circulation, and alleviation of muscle tension and inflammation. 

Manual medicine also forms a unique branch of therapy in Asian medicine, encompassing techniques such as tuina, marma-chikitsa, and bone-setting. Furthermore, external therapies traditionally include heat applications like moxibustion, massage, vital point therapy, catheterization, bloodletting, and the use of compresses and poultices. These treatments can complement various herbal medicine therapies, enhancing the overall health and wellness experience.