Techiques & Styles of Acupuncture

Diana practices two distinct styles of acupuncture: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Acupuncture Physical Medicine (APM)©, the hallmark of her training.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is the predominant form of acupuncture practiced today, often relying more on herbology than acupuncture to treat imbalances. Diana believes that acupuncture is an effective means for treating many forms of disharmony without the need for imbibing substances. Therefore, she uses Traditional Chinese Medical diagnosis and methods as a part, but not the whole, of your treatment.

Acupuncture Physical Medicine (APM) is an adaptation of trigger point therapy, using acupuncture needles to release tight bands of muscle. It directly treats the root cause of disharmony while relieving current symptoms. Years of chronic constrictions can yield in relatively few sessions. Diana generally applies APM concepts and techniques when working with musculoskeletal imbalances.

This diverse background in acupuncture gives Diana the freedom to choose the most appropriate style to address your needs. She believes in using whatever works to assist you in your healing process.

Oriental Medicine Therapies

Where there is pain there is no free flow. Where there is no free flow there is pain."
- Ancient Chinese Proverb

Needles:
Diana uses the finest quality acupuncture needles in her practice to minimize any possible discomfort. Needles typically range from one to two inches long, and are the width of a human hair. They are pre-sterilized, pre-packaged, and used only once before being disposed of in a medical waste sharps container.

Gua sha:
Gua Sha is an East Asian treatment that is used for upper respiratory problems such as the common cold and coughs as well as muscular pain and stiffness. This technique is done by rubbing the skin with the smooth surface of a coin, ceramic spoon or lid in areas where stuck or stagnate blood is found to reside. Small red dots or petechiae come to the surface. The result is healthy circulation of blood and an improvement of symptoms that are usually felt immediately. Please go to www.guasha.com for more information.

Cupping:
In cases of the common cold or muscular pain, a process called cupping may be used to support the healing process. A glass cup is held upside down and a small flame is thrust into it, creating a suction effect when placed upon the patients body. The technique may temporarily leave small round red marks on the skin. Typically the marks will clear within a few days. Similar to the technique of gua sha, cupping can be used for many conditions including upper and lower back pain and the common cold.

Moxibustion:
Moxibustion is the use of the medicinal herb Mugwort (Artemesia Vulgaris) for the treatment of conditions of coldness and deficiency. It is used to warm and nourish the body. The herb is burned above the skin or placed on top of an acupuncture needle, creating a sensation of warmth that is commonly found to be relaxing and calming.

 

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