Therapies | Island Acupuncture & Massage

Island Acupuncture & MassageTherapies

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a 3,000-year-old system of medicine that has developed independently of Western science and medicine. TCM is a family of traditional medical techniques. It is a developed system of diagnosis and treatment based upon the observations, experiments, and clinical results of many generations of Asian physicians.

We not only practice acupuncture, but we are also devoted to the practice of Classical Traditional Chinese Medicine. We have a long list of therapeutic resources and traditional therapies. Below are some of the traditional services we provide.

Acupuncture Dry Needling Electro Acupuncture Aricular Acupuncture Moxibustion Cupping Therapeutic Massage Aromatherapy Chinese Herbal Therapies Chinese Herbal Topical Treatments

Acupuncture

This techniques utilizes a system of specific points located on the human body. Each point has a distinct location and particular function within the framework of TCM theory. In acupuncture, a few points are selected according to the patient’s diagnosis and very thin, sterile, disposable, stainless steel needles are carefully inserted. Once all the needles are inserted you will lie there for anywhere between 20 and 30 minutes.

A good deal of research shows acupunture to be beneficial for pain, addictions, depression, anxiety, stress, gastointestinal problems, fertility issues, improved IVF outcomes, and many other complaints. The World Health Organization (WHO) has a significant list of diseases that benefit from acupuncture.

Dry Needling

This safe and effective technique works by eliminating hyperactive muscle fibers that send pain through nerve, muscle, and connective tissue in predictable patterns. Dry needling entails the insertion of very fine acupuncture needles into hypersensitive muscle and soft tissue trigger points. Studies show that dry needling relieves pain by promoting local tissue repair and stimulating healing mechanisms in muscle and connective tissues. When trigger points are deactivated, they become less irritable and maintain higher pain and inflammatory thresholds. Our practitioners have trained specifically and extensively in Trigger Point Dry Needling techniques.

Electro Acupuncture

This is a common acupuncture procedure. Electro Acupuncture is an acupuncture technique that, comparatively speaking, has only recently come into use. As with traditional acupuncture, needles are inserted on specific points along the body. Using small clips, the needles are then attached to a device that generates continuous low voltage electrical pulses. These devices are used to adjust the frequency and intensity of the impulse being delivered, depending on the condition being treated. Electro Acupuncture uses two needles at time so that the impulses can pass from one needle to the other. Several pairs of needles can be stimulated simultaneously, usually for no more than 30 minutes at a time.

Aricular Acupuncture

Auricular acupuncture is, quite simply, acupuncture done on the ear. The ear is thought to contain a myriad of important and potentially therapeutic acupuncture points. Many of us think of the ear as being mostly cartilage, but the ear is also rich with nervous tissue, and by needling specific points, a connection is made with the brain so that the central nervous system responds to help relieve symptoms.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is the application of heat to a specific area or point on the body. Along with acupuncture needles, moxibustion has become an integral part of the oriental system of medicine. The term ‘moxibustion’ is derived from the Japanese ‘Moe Kusa’, meaning ‘burning herb’.

Moxa is obtained from the herbal plant ‘Artemesia Vulgaris’, also commonly called mugwort. We use a Smokeless and odorless Sook moxa for most moxa applications in our current office.

Cupping

This is one of the oldest methods of traditional Chinese medicine. We offer 2 styles of cupping. Glass fire cupping and silicone cupping.

Our acupuncturists are trained in glass fire cupping. In a typical cupping session, glass cups are warmed using a cotton ball or other flammable substance, which is soaked in alcohol, lit, then placed inside the cup to be rapidly removed then the cup is rapidly placed on the skin. Burning a substance inside the cup removes all the oxygen, which creates a vacuum. This is an included service during an acupuncture appointment only.

Our massage therapists are trained in cupping using silicone cups. These cups are pliable silicone and are squeezed, which creates a vacuum, before placing them on the skin. This is a $15 add-on service that can be used during a massage session.

The vacuum created by either of these methods creates a lack of oxygen which anchors the cup to the skin and pulls the skin upward on the inside of the cup. Drawing up the skin is believed to open up the skin’s pores, which helps to stimulate the flow of blood and breaks up obstructions.

In Asia and many other cultures, cupping is used primarily to treat respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, congestion, arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders, and certain types of pain. Cupping is mostly used on the back and stomach and to a lesser extent, the arms, and legs.

Chinese Herbal Therapies

Chinese herbology formulas are safe, powerful medicines that can address many of today’s ailments. The formulas are individually prescribed for the patient’s unique constitution and ailment. They use only natural, non-synthetic medicinal plants, animals and minerals, which have been studied by the Chinese for thousands of years.

There are many different methods of administering herbal formulas, the most common are pills, powders, tea or extracts. Herbal formulas used in this practice are strictly regulated under rigorous GMP standards. All of our manufactures comply with International GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) standards, have been certified by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and comply with the new very stringent International GMP standards. GMP certification means the site and methods employed in the production of their herbs has been subject to a thorough quality control investigation and is in compliance. Tests for moisture content dissolution, heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium) and microbial content are performed on every batch of finished product. Certificates of analysis are provided to us by their manufacturers and third party independent laboratories for every lot of herbs, teapills, tablets, liquid extracts and concentrated extract powders we distribute. Copies of these certificates are available upon request.

Chinese Herbal Topical Treatments

Chinese Herbal Topical Treatments include traditional medicated oils, ointments, liniments, poultice or plasters. These topical treatments can be exceptionally useful with traumatic injury, acute, or rheumatic pain, skin disorders and many other superficial or topical disorders.

Most oils, ointments, and liniments usually contain camphor or menthol as well as one or more essential oils. Common ones being cinnamon oil, oil of clove, cassia oil, citronella oil, oil of lavender, peppermint or cajuput oil. Plasters have a cloth backing and an herbal material in a thin layer that is slightly sticky, so it adheres to the skin, but is still easy to remove. They soothe and promote the healing of injuries, especially bruises, contusions and sprains.

Most topical applications have an analgesic effect. Many originated through the martial arts practitioners need to recover from injuries incurred during practice sessions. They can be indicated for neuralgia, joint pain, spasms, swelling, bruise, sprain, and fracture. Some are reputed to aid the break down of clotted blood and promote regrowth of damaged tissues. All topical preparations are meant to be soothing, calming and pain relieving.

A poultice is generally herbs that are pounded, mixed with vinegar, wine or honey, and wrapped around injured bones or joints. These preparations are typically changed daily.

Therapeutic Massage

Therapeutic massage is the manipulation of the muscles and superficial tissues of the body to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, and stress.

There are many different styles of massage.

Swedish Massage – This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize you.

Deep-tissue Massage – This massage technique uses slower, more forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. This technique will commonly be used to help with muscle damage from injuries.

Most therapeutic massage combine various techniques suited to the needs of each individual patient and condition.

A good deal of research supports the conclusions that massage reduces hypertension, boosts immunity, decreases stress, manage anxiety, depression, pain, stiffness and sports-related injuries.

Aromatherapy

The biochemical properties (including potent terpenes and phenols) of aromatic oils can support health, healing, and wellbeing. We have a full dispensary and inventory of single oils and oil blends to treat symptoms and conditions including sinus congestion, nausea, stress, anxiety, insomnia, allergies, pain, and joint inflammation.