Pillar #3 Body Work
When you come in for your acupuncture appointment, acupuncture may not be the only modality you will receive. Other forms of bodywork used by your practitioner include tuina, gua sha and cupping. Each of these techniques requires specialized training and your practitioner knows when to utilize these tools or not.
Tuina is a form of Chinese massage. Instead of focusing on just loosening the tight muscles, it hones in on removing the blockages and imbalances from the acupuncture channels therefore allowing for the free flow of qi and blood. When there is free flowing qi and blood there is less pain and stiffness in the body. Tuina can also help to reduce stress, encourage relaxation, deepen sleep, and can even help with some acute muscle injuries.
Cupping is a technique where your practitioner places localized suction cups on areas of pain and discomfort. Cupping helps to loosen tight muscles and fascia, increase blood flow to areas where blood flow had been impeded, and it can even flush out stuck toxins that accumulated in the areas of pain and discomfort. Depending on where cups are placed they can help to decrease pain, increase circulation and mobility, reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and help with overall detoxification. Cupping often leaves behind temporary round red or purple marks where the cups were placed, giving it its well known trademark sign worn by some of the world's most elite athletes.
Gua sha is an ancient sinew scraping technique. It has been used by doctors of Chinese Medicine for thousands of years and has now been mainstreamed and adopted by many physical therapists due to its efficacy. PTs call this the graston technique…we call it Gua Sha. Sha is the name that we use to describe the purple and red marks that are left behind after using the gua sha tool to loosen up the muscle and sinews. Similar to cupping in its purple and red markings, these markings are temporary and are a sign that the technique has improved the blood flow. Benefits of gua sha are very similar to cupping plus the added benefit of being able to pinpoint target some of the most stubborn knots in muscles. Gua sha is also indicated for recent whiplash injury and even the onset of a cold.
These techniques are not for everyone. Your practitioner is trained to know which technique is best suited for you. To find out more, call JJ today! 910-262-1122 Ext 2 And stay tuned for Pillar 4!