ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture is the ancient healing practice of inserting ultra-fine, sterilized & disposable needles through the skin at specific points on the body to stimulate, unblock and correct the flow of Qi energy in the meridian system. Acupuncture supports to restore the body’s innate healing abilities. Acupuncture increases the body’s production of endorphins, stimulates the pain centers in the brain while increasing blood and oxygen circulation. It is very effective as preventative medicine, if you’re feeling great already acupuncture can be used to keep your body healthy and strong.

 

THERAPEUTIC BODYWORK

POSITIONAL RELEASE
Positional Release Therapy is an extraordinary way of immediately reducing pain from tight muscles, and increasing normal movement patterns. It is a comprehensive approach for all patients with stress-induced and dysfunction-induced muscle contraction. The techniques are very gentle,  safe for every patient, and serve as a powerful adjunct technique to my acupuncture practice. When applying positional release techniques, the affected tissues are moved away from any pain and resistance and always towards a position of comfort. This allows the body’s own self-regulating mechanisms to be activated, resetting the neuromuscular system.

SHIATSU
Shiatsu is a Japanese form of physiotherapy and means “finger pressure”. Shiatsu is a whole-body approach to restoring energetic balance, using rhythmic finger and palm pressing, yoga-like stretches and breathing techniques to clear energy blockages.

TUI NA
Tui Na is Chinese in origin and means “push pull”. It is the physical form of Traditional Chinese medicine and also known as Chinese orthopedic massage. Tui Na is more vigorous in nature and uses kneading, pulling, rolling and rocking techniques to break up and remove blockages and improve circulation.

CUPPING AND GUA SHA
Cupping traditionally uses heated glass jars to relieve acute symptoms. Cupping and Gua Sha are both used to release excess or stagnated energy in the body by promoting blood flow and healing within the muscles. Both therapies are commonly used to treat muscular conditions or at the onset of a cold. Some bruising is common with both therapies.

 

CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE

The Chinese Pharmacopoeia is extensive and an incredibly healing therapy consisting of plants, minerals, and animal products. Chinese herbal prescriptions are synergistically put together to address many different health conditions and unlike pharmacology in the West, the prescription of Chinese herbal medicine is catered to the constitution of the individual. They can be used preventatively or to treat illness and imbalance and in the body and should always be prescribed by a licensed practitioner.

BREATHWORK

WHAT IT IS

Breathwork is an active meditation and an effective way to open up and connect or reconnect with your whole self. It unblocks stagnant energy, clears mental and emotional blockages and helps disconnect from habits and relationships that don’t serve you anymore. Through this active meditation, the breath is used to neutralize the brain, stimulate the release of endorphins and promote movement of qi and oxygenated blood throughout the body.

HOW IT WORKS

Since it is an active meditation, it requires us to focus on breathing in a unique rhythm. The rhythm involves following a simple, yet profound, 3-stage breathing technique, two inhales followed by an exhale. All breathing is done through the mouth allowing you to access your energy centers more quickly. The first inhale is at the lower dan tian (or low belly), second inhale is at the middle dan tian (or heart center). The third stage is exhaling through the mouth.

WHAT TO EXPECT

A one-on-one Breathwork session begins with a brief conversation and a check-in about where you feel blocked, and what you’d like to let go of. You will be taught the breathing technique, and then you’ll actively breathe for about 30-35min. While you’re breathing the space will be cleansed and essential oils may be applied if appropriate for you. Afterwards, you’ll have 10-15min of relaxation with more passive breathing. You will be guided and supported through the entire process.

As you activate your energy centers you may experience some tingling, vibration or areas of restriction or tightness. Some may experience a heart opening, leading to a feeling of gratitude and self-love. Working through blockages can also cause emotional releases. Many also experience bouts of creativity or a deeper connection to intuition.

BREATHWORK IS BENEFICIAL FOR:

  • overthinking
  • unprocessed emotions
  • opening the heart
  • psychoemotional trauma
  • stress
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

WHAT IT IS

Functional medicine works closely with patients to uncover and treat all the underlying causes of pain, illness, and disease. Unlike conventional medicine, which diagnoses disease in isolated body systems, functional medicine looks at symptoms and all the aspects of your life that interact and contribute to symptoms, such as genetics, lifestyle, diet, nutrition, history, and environment. When we practice functional medicine, we evaluate the whole person because every system in the body works together, and dysfunction in one system may lead to symptoms in another system. By treating only the obvious symptoms, the original dysfunction may be missed until health problems later arise.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Functional medicine appointments are offered via videoconferencing or telephone for convenience. After setting up your initial appointment, you’ll fill out intake forms to collect your health history.

The initial appointment lasts up to 90 minutes and will focus on your symptoms. Targeted questions will be asked to uncover their root cause. At this time, lifestyle recommendations may be recommended and supplements protocols that don’t require lab work will be implemented. At the end of the initial appointment, 1-4 labs will be ordered, which will be shipped to your home.

Once the lab results come in a follow-up visit will be scheduled to discuss results and create a health plan.

 

CONSTITUTIONAL FACIAL ACUPUNCTURE

Constitutional Facial Acupuncture™ is a safe, painless and effective treatment for renewing the face as well as the whole body. Fine lines may be entirely erased, deeper lines reduced and bags around neck and eyes firmed.

Fine needles are placed at a variety of acupuncture points on the face, neck and around the eyes to stimulate the body’s natural healing properties (Qi). Muscle groups are addressed as well the acupuncture points. The face tones itself, via the acupuncture muscular motor points, stimulating the muscles’ toning and tightening action. Facial Acupunture also stimulate blood and circulation, which improves facial color.

 

BENEFITS

CONSTITUTIONAL

  • Improves acne (caused by hormonal imbalance)
  • Helps menopause, peri-menopause, PMS and other GYN issues
  • Helps sinus congestion and headache
  • Reduces symptoms of toothache, TMJ, trigeminal neuralgia, and Bell’s palsy
  • Helps headaches (except severe migraine)
  • Treats diarrhea and constipation (most digestive issues)
  • Helps to eliminate edema and puffiness
  • Can help insomnia and dizziness
  • Helps depression and aids self-esteem

FACIAL

  • Can improve collagen production and muscle tone
  • Helps reduce bags and sagging tendencies
  • Helps eliminate fine lines and diminish larger wrinkles
  • Helps reduce double chin and lift drooping eyelids
  • Tightens pores and brightens eyes
  • Increases local blood and lymph circulation
  • Improves facial color
  • Reduces stress and promotes total health and well-being

CAN I HAVE FACIAL ACUPUNCTURE AT ANY TIME?

No. Please review the list of contraindications below.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

  1. Severe high blood pressure: it is OK when the blood pressure is under control and the patient is seeing a medical doctor.
  2. Severe migraines: first have your acupuncturist reduce or resolve your migraine(s). after three months of being migraine free; start or continue your Facial Acupuncture treatments.
  3. Laser resurfacing: wait three weeks.
  4. Microdermabrasion: wait one week
  5. BOTOX: wait until it has worn off or have your practitioner drain it and still wait until the affects worn off.

DO NOT RECEIVE DURING:

  • pregnancy
  • colds or flu
  • acute herpes outbreak
  • acute allergic reactions

In the latter 3 instances, once the condition has passed, the patient may receive a facial acupuncture treatment.

HOW LONG IS A TREATMENT SERIES?

Constitutional Facial Acupuncture™ involves the patient in an organic process, in which a series of treatments is necessary to achieve maximal effect. After an initial session, practitioner evaluates the patient’s response, and then can determine the number of follow-up visits that will be required:

After this evaluation, and taking into consideration other variables such as stress, diet, lifestyle, genetic inheritance, proper digestion and elimination, sleep, emotional balance, and age, the following durations of treatment are customarily recommended:

  • Usually 12-15 treatments;
  • 20 treatments for smokers or people whose skin tends to sag, i.e., who manifest jowls, “turkey wattles,” droopy eyes, etc.

It should be noted that age is not as crucial as might be estimated; an older patient with a healthy lifestyle may in fact have a better prognosis than a younger person who is prone to dissipate themselves.

 
TREATMENT TIMELINE

  • 2 times a week (if possible), for 1 hour; or
  • 1 treatment per week, 90 minutes

MAINTENANCE TREATMENTS

Within the normal parameters of aging, the completion of a series of treatments should be effective. To ensure the persistence of the results, ongoing maintenance treatments are recommended:

  1. Every 2 weeks for 2 months following the completion of a treatment series, then once a month for an indefinite amount of time;
  2. Of course, the patient can also embark upon a subsequent series after a week’s respite

JADE ROLLERS, GUA SHA, 5YINA BEAUTY PRODUCTS

The Constitutional Facial Acupuncture™ treatment protocol incorporates Chinese herbal beauty oils and a luxury cellulose mask by 5yina. Jade rollers and Gua Sha enhance blood circulation, remove fine lines and age spots, and prevent premature aging. They are used to massage the beauty oils into the skin. The ancient empresses of China used jade as a precious stone to be worn, not only around their necks, but also to attract yin and nourishment into their skin. The stone served a double purpose of promoting beauty and for magical protection.

SHORT AND LONG TERM EFFECTS OF FACIAL ACUPUNCTURE

After the first treatment, one usually observes an increased glow to the complexion, the result of increased Qi and blood flow to the face. The person’s face appears more “open”, there is a clarity in the eyes (“clear Shen”), and the patient appears to be more rested; wrinkles start to lessen and the skin appears more toned.

A significant difference in their appearance can be ascertained following the 5th to 7th treatments; even more marked changes in wrinkles, skin tone, etc. The resonance of relaxation and calmness is more pronounced; appearing as if one has returned from vacation. Lifting of the jowls, neck and the eyes has begun and is usually noticeable. With continuing treatment, constitutional issues like digestive complaints have been ameliorated or subsided.

By the end of a series, the patient should look and feel years younger. These results may vary slightly, depending upon how well the patient has taken care of themselves during the process, and afterward. At this stage, booster treatments provide ongoing support within a normal process of aging.

 

Constitutional Facial Acupuncture™ is non-invasive, less costly than surgical procedures, and draws upon the ancient Chinese wisdom related to longevity, beauty and balance.

Copyright © 2005, Chi-Akra Center. All Rights Reserved. Pages last updated September 7, 2005.
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