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Bodywork

We offer a variety of therapeutic and individualized bodywork techniques to treat everything from chronic pain to digestive issues. The goal of our hands-on bodywork is to open, balance, and align the body, working with connective tissue, including the fascia. Bodywork, in conjunction with acupuncture treatments, can help to relieve pain, support the fluid movement, and realign muscles and ligaments.

CUPPING

Cupping has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years.

In 400 BC, Herodotus listed wet and dry cupping as a treatment for many ailments including maldigestion, lack of appetite, and headaches. Hippocrates advocated cupping for gynecological complaints, back and extremity illnesses, lung diseases, and ear ailments. Cupping therapy was even mentioned as far back as 1550 BC in the famous Papyrus Ebers in Ancient Egypt.

Traditionally, cups (which can be glass, plastic, bamboo, or shells) are applied to the skin using a flame to create a vacuum. A pump-like suction tool also does the trick, drawing the air out of the cup. This creates a massage of sorts but in reverse. By gently pulling the muscles and fascia upwards, toxins are drawn to the surface of the skin where the immune system is better able to clear them. The treatment also helps to loosen muscles, encourage blood flow and sedate the nervous system. Cupping is used to relieve neck and back pain, stiff muscles, anxiety, fatigue, migraines, anxiety, chest congestion, digestive complaints, and menstrual pain. In addition to regular cups, we also offer heart-shaped love cups.

No matter the size, material, or shape, here are a few cupping benefits:
  • Alleviates back and neck pain and stiff muscles
  • It Lessens anxiety, fatigue, migraines, and rheumatism
  • Enhances circulation
  • Detoxifies and improves blood flow through the veins and arteries
  • Improves the elasticity of the skin
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Treats bronchial congestion and asthma
  • It improves digestion and metabolism and alleviates constipation

Facial cupping may also be used as a complement to Cosmetic Acupuncture treatment. When light suction is applied to the skin, it gently lifts the facial tissue, resulting in increased blood circulation and stimulation and drainage of the lymph nodes. Unlike body cupping, facial cupping does not leave marks or bruising and feels like a mini facial massage.

GUA SHA

Gua sha is a massage technique that may be used as part of your treatment to relieve musculoskeletal pain and tension.

It involves using a rounded-edge hand-held tool such as jade, quartz, or a ceramic spoon. Massage oil is applied and a gentle pressing and stroking motion, almost like a “scraping” works the affected area to break up adhesions and scar tissue in the muscles and connective tissue. Commonly, gua sha is done on the back, neck, and shoulders, but can be used anywhere it is indicated. It is, for example, a tremendous additional technique for treating the common cold or respiratory conditions.

Like cupping, this technique produces a reddish skin rash or slight bruising that will fade in a few days. The marks represent broken capillaries, which promote an anti-inflammatory and immune response to improve the area’s blood flow.

Gua sha is also used cosmetically to de-puff and lift. Jade gua sha tools relieve tension in the muscles of the face, boost blood circulation, and encourage lymphatic drainage to help ease bloat and contour facial muscles naturally. It also helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, sagging, dark eye circles, puffy eyes, age spots, and discolorations, and overall skin rejuvenation from the inside out.

TUI NA

Tui Na is a therapeutic form of massage that has been used in China for more than 5,000 years.

Tui Na is a therapeutic form of massage that has been used in China for more than 5,000 years. It is a form of manipulative massage used to treat many conditions including musculoskeletal disorders, chronic stress, and disorders of the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems. It helps to relieve blockages, remove deficiencies, and establish a more harmonious flow of Qi. Tui Na’s translation is “to push and grasp.” It is applied along the meridians through a variety of hand and arm techniques to massage the soft tissue of the body, stimulate acupressure points, and manipulate to realign the musculoskeletal and ligamentous relationships. Techniques include pressing, tapping, kneading, and stretching performed by the palms, fingertips, knuckles, and elbows. External herbal poultice compresses, liniments, and salves may also be used to enhance these therapeutic methods. Tui Na effectively decreases acute and chronic pain located in the joints, ligaments, and muscle tissues. It has been referred to as a combination of Shiatsu—a Japanese bodywork practice—and acupressure massage.

REACTIVATION

Reactivation is an energetic healing modality that utilizes the mind, body, and bio-magnetic system of the body to help harmonize and restore balance in the body.

Using a systematic approach and muscle challenges, the body is assessed for weaknesses and imbalances. Once identified, a gentle focused touch is applied to specific points to reactivate those weaknesses, restore strength, and correct imbalances. The body is then reassessed to ensure that the desired result has been attained.

Reactivation may help:
  • Promote healing from injuries
  • Alleviate acute and chronic pain
  • Induce relaxation and a sense of wellness
  • Balance hormones

Results that Last

With reactivation, many clients feel an immediate improvement and a noticeable decrease in symptoms. Our bodies are complex, integrated systems composed of 650 muscles and 11 body systems that can be reactivated. During a typical session, 50 to 100 of the body’s most important weaknesses that are shown to us during evaluation are reactivated.  In many cases, during the first session, we are able to get to the root cause and allow the body to heal itself rapidly.  For others, several sessions may be necessary. As with acupuncture, it is an individual process. Naturally, it is our goal to assist your body in the healing process in as few sessions as possible.

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Patient Love

Dr Michelle is a caring and experienced acupuncture professional that I highly recommend if you are looking to improve you health and lead a more mindful life.

Nancy F.

Dr. Michelle is amazing at what she does. So knowledgeable and caring! She has helped me tremendously over the years.

Tara K.

I am so grateful for Michelle’s knowledge and professionalism. Michelle reads my lab reports, provides proper supplementation, dietary guidelines and is an excellent acupuncturist. I trust her guidance and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Michelle to anyone I know in need of a healthy and holistic approach. I give Michelle a 10+ !

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