Acupuncture
Acupuncture has a long history with evidence of its use dating back over 2000 years. Chinese Medicine has a model of the body showing 14 main channels, six on each arm and six on each leg that are mirrored on both sides of the body then one going up the middle front and one going up the back, each channel is associated with a different organ or system in the body, these channels are then covered in acupuncture points. In Acupuncture we stimulate and manipulate these points with acupuncture, acupressure or other techniques.
Any muscle that we needle stimulates it to release and relax but specific points and channels have other functions, often stimulating or inhibiting the release of different hormones and neurotransmitters.
Like the yin yang symbol which is a symbol of balance and harmony, acupuncture tends to have a regulatory effect stimulating the body to come back to a state of equilibrium.
Pain in Chinese Medicine is seen as an obstruction in the flow of Qi and or blood, so a lot of our techniques revolve around stimulating the movement of Qi or blood in the body, this may involve needling or massaging a point, warming and area, or possibly cupping.
Cupping
With possibly an even older history than acupuncture cupping has an extensive history of use throughout many countries from the Mediterranean to China . When we cup someone the main mechanism of action is the creation of a vacuum, traditionally this was done by holding a small flame in the cup to consume the oxygen and then quickly placing this on the skin. This will often leave a mark on the skin more akin to a hickie than a bruise it can take between a few days and a few weeks to disappear
This has several effects
- stimulate the muscle to release
- stretch the fascia (connective tissues)
- stimulating blood flow to the area
- stimulate angiogenesis (the growth and development of stronger healthier blood vessels and capillaries
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