Japanese Toyohari
Dr Herrin is one of very few acupuncturists that has been trained in a style of Japanese acupuncture called Toyohari Meridian Therapy. It has been in use for over 500 years and is very gentle. Very specialized needles are held over the acupuncture points to stimulate them instead of the Chinese traditional style of inserting them into the skin. It is very effective while being very gentle due to no insertion of the needles. This style is especially helpful for children and needle phobic patients.
ACUPRESSURE
Acupressure is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which involves the stimulation of acupuncture points with finger pressure using the power and sensitivity of human touch, rather than the insertion of needles. This form of healing is non-invasive and gentle. The indications include the vast array of conditions that Chinese medicine has proven to treat effectively. Because acupressure stimulates the body’s natural self-healing abilities, it also works as a great preventative therapy. Generally, the effects of acupressure are less potent than those of acupuncture, and as a result more treatments are needed to get the same results.
Acupressure is ideal for children. It is gentle, safe, and effective for many conditions, including relief and prevention of colds and flu. Parents can also be taught self-help techniques to use on their child at home.
Acupressure is also suitable for the elderly, who commonly suffer from conditions such as arthritis, mobility problems, constipation, and poor circulation.
Certain acupressure points must be avoided during pregnancy. Be sure to tell your practitioner if you are or may be pregnant.
CUPPING
In addition to acupuncture and herbology, cupping therapy has been part of Chinese medicine for over 2,500 years. Originally, animal horn was used for cupping, later on brass, ceramic, and bamboo cups were used. Today, we use glass cups in a variety of different sizes.
Cupping is like a very deep tissue massage. The practitioner applies heat in a cup and then applies that cup to the body, most commonly on the back. The heat creates a vacuum effect and draws the skin up into the cup. The result is a movement of fresh blood to the area, release of toxins, acupuncture point stimulation, increased circulation of blood and lymph, relaxation of tight muscles, and reduced inflammation.
Cupping does leave noticeable marks similar to a bruise or hickey that is sometimes referred to as “cup kisses”. Although they can look alarming, they are not painful and will disappear on their own within 3-7 days.
Most commonly, cupping is used for aches and pains of various types including low back and leg pain, neck and shoulder tension, and fibromyalgia. It also helps open up the chest and benefits the lungs to treat respiratory problems such as cough, bronchitis, asthma, and the like. It can even benefit menstrual problems and digestive problems including stomach aches, vomiting, and diarrhea.
MOXIBUSTION
Moxibustion evolved thousands of years ago in early northern China. It is part of traditional Chinese medical practices and came about at the same time as acupuncture.
Moxibustion involves the burning of moxa, an herbal wool made from the leaves of the Mugwort plant, over specific acupoints. The moxa is often formed into a small cone and placed on the tip of a needle or rolled into a cigar-like shape and passed over the skin in wave-like motions. The radiant heat produced by moxibustion penetrates deeply into the body to restore balance, promote circulation, and reduce pain. This form of treatment, usually combined with acupuncture, is indicated for improving general health and treating chronic conditions such as arthritis, digestive disorders, pain, infertility, ulcers, and many other ailments.
NUTRITIONAL GUIDANCE
Nutrition is a very important element of the complete Traditional Chinese Medicine system. It is one of both healing and disease prevention. Many diseases and symptoms can be treated with dietary changes alone; however it often takes longer and requires the utmost compliance and dedication on the patient’s behalf. Unfortunately, today’s population has a poor concept of what constitutes a good diet. Our fast paced lifestyle often gives nutritious eating a low priority. At the same time, controversial dietary regimes and a vast array of fad diets add even more confusion to modern day eating habits. As a result, we see rapid deterioration in the quality of people’s lives in the form of obesity, depression, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and other avoidable conditions of modern life.
Chinese nutrition uniquely differs from modern Western nutrition in that it determines the energies and therapeutic properties of foods instead of analyzing the chemical constituents of them. The advantage of this approach lies in its ability to customize to every individual’s needs. Furthermore, Chinese nutrition takes into consideration such factors as method of preparation, body type, season, and one’s geographical location in determining the appropriate diet.
AURICULAR (EAR) THERAPY
Auricular acupuncture is most often used for addiction, smoking cessation, and weight loss. It involves the stimulation of the acupoints located on the ear with tiny seeds or pellets. The seeds are no larger than the tip of an unsharpened pencil, do not pierce the skin, and are painless when affixed. The client will leave these seeds in for up to one week and re-stimulate the points by massaging the ear several times each day.
There are over 200 acupoints on each ear that represent the anatomical parts and functions of the human body. These points are arranged on the ear in the image of an inverted fetus. By observing points of tenderness, coloration changes, protrusions or depressions, and skin variations, a trained practitioner can not only treat a wide range of diseases using only the ear, but can diagnose them as well. When we stimulate these points we access the central nervous system through the cranial nerves on the auricle of the ear. This sends a direct message to the brain that results in a rapid healing response.