Other Treatments

Acupuncture is often combined with other treatments, such as Auricular Acupuncture, Cupping, Moxibustion and GuaSha, to provide additional benefits to the main treatment.

Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a form of fire heat treatment that stimulates specific acupuncture points of the body.  A small, cone-shaped amount of moxa (mugwort herb) is placed on top of a needle or an acupuncture point on the skin and burnt.  Moxibustion can be used to treat a range of pains, such as joint, back, muscular, menstrual pain, as well as injuries.  The treatment increases blood flow to the painful area, which acts as an analgesic and promotes prompt healing.  It is claimed that moxibustion is more effective that any painkiller available on the market today.

Auricular Acupuncture
Auricular Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into acupuncture points on the ear.  These points, when stimulated, send electrical impulses to the brain, which are then transmitted to the nominated organ.  The points on the ear correspond to the entire body and their gentle stimulation creates positive response helping with an array of aliments.  It is important to note that Auricular acupuncture only works in a therapeutic way and it can not harm healthy parts of the body, which makes it an effective and safe form of treatment for most individuals.  Auricular acupuncture can be used independently or in conjunction with other therapies and types of acupuncture.

Cupping Therapy
Cupping is an ancient treatment based on the meridian theory of the body.  On one hand, cupping removes any stagnation in the body and opens the meridians so that the energy can flow freely.  On the other, it also helps to rejuvenate certain meridians and organs that are not functioning at their best.  From a scientific standpoint, cupping is known to help activate the lymphatic system, promote blood circulation, and is good for deep tissue repair.  Cupping treatment is non-invasive and can be used for a wide variety of ailments.  There is a saying in China: ‘Acupuncture and cupping - more than half of the ills cured’.

Gua Sha
Gua Sha is a healing technique used in Asia.  ‘Gua’ means to scrape and ‘Sha’ is related to a 'reddish, elevated, millet-like skin rash'.  Gua Sha moves accumulated and stuck energy and blood, and expels pathogens by moving fluids that contain metabolic waste that congests the surface tissues and muscles.  This treatment promotes sweating and circulation, and normalises metabolic processes 
Gua Sha is a valuable treatment for both external and internal pain, and facilitates the resolution of both acute and chronic disorders.  In addition to resolving musculo-skeletal pain, Gua Sha is used to treat as well as prevent common cold, flu, bronchitis, asthma.  In most cases the patient feels an immediate shift in their condition, particularly in his/hers area of pain or constraint.  ‘Sha’ redness usually fades within 2 to 4 days after treatment is performed.