Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Moxa)
The techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion practice involves the insertion of sterilised, single use, stainless-steel needles into trigger specific points on the body or the burning of moxa to warm the surface parts of the body in order to relieve pain, treat a wide variety of illnesses or promote health. Acupuncture is a very relaxing, painless, safe and effective form of health care. The placement of the needles stimulates your body’s own ability to relieve pain. However, some acupuncture points may be more sensitive than others when needles are inserted.
This ancient Chinese healing art works on the energy, known as Qì (氣) of the body. Qì flows within the body as a network which are called jīngluò 經絡 (meridians or channels). According to Chinese medical theory, disruptions to the flow in these meridians can lead to illness. The major nodes on the network are called xuéwèi 穴位, or an acupuncture point. It is here where acupuncture and moxibustion can help re-balance the body, by manipulating certain points to realign this flow of Qì, bringing your body, mind and emotions back to health and improving your well-being. At Oriental Acupuncture Herbal Medicine we work on ensuring the Qi continues to flow and remains balanced.
Over the past several years, integrative medicine studies have suggested that the insertion of needles at acupuncture points helps release some chemical neurotransmitters in the body, including endorphins that affect the immune system, the nervous system, and inflammatory process, but the mechanisms are still not fully understood. Acupuncture and moxibustion are a form of complementary and alternative medicine in Australia, but acupuncture and moxibustion have been used in hospitals in China, Korea and Japan for decades.
Australian Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) in emergency departments – Acupuncture for pain
2011 Acupuncture RCT in Aus study pdf file
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.5694/mja16.00771
Moxibustion (moxa) is the burning of Chinese herb called mugwort (artemesia vulgaris) used to apply warmth to an acupuncture point. It is an ancient technique for healing all kinds of illness, especially for certain debilitating conditions used as a tonification of the body that really powerful warming effect. Also there has been a lot of studies on moxibustion in pregnancy particularly reversing breech deliveries.
The medicinal properties of burning mugwort generates heat into the skin, promoting circulation and stimulating the flow of Qì to remove blockages such as stagnation of cold, heat, dampness and wind. The purpose is to deeply stimulate and strengthen the Qì and blood of the body. Moxibustion can be used in place of acupuncture.
Cupping Therapy
Cupping is often used together with acupuncture. Cupping therapy is an ancient technique of healing which involves placing special cups made from either glass, bamboo or plastic on the skin to create suction to affected areas. This stretches the tight fascia in the body and aids in muscle relaxation. It reduces stagnation, promotes better Qì and blood circulation and dispels pathogenic factors, such as dampness, wind, heat and cold. Cupping is generally safe and commonly used to treat pain disorders, muscle aches and fascial tension, but it can also help in the treatment of common cold and flu to relieve stress and anxiety.
Understand the risks, such as bruising, soreness and discomfort are possible.
After cupping visible marks may be left on the body and it may take a few days to disappear. These marks signify to a certain extent the degree of stagnation in your body.
The following is a general guideline to what the darkness and shade of the marks may reflect:
-Pink/Light red marks: Healthy circulation
-Dark red marks: Moderate stagnation
-Dark purple marks: Severe stagnation and poor circulation
-Pale purple marks: Qi-Blood deficiency
