Acupuncture and East Asian Herbal Medicine

 Sage K. Davis EAMP (L.Ac.)

Acupuncture

Acupressure

Herbs

Moxibustion

Tuina

Cupping

Manaka Cords

Modalities

Acupuncture: The insertion of very fine sterile needles into specific points.  Depending on the situation, I use a blend of two styles of acupuncture: Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and Japanese Acupuncture.  Traditional Chinese Acupuncture tends to involve slightly thicker  needles (though still very thin) with stronger stimulation and deeper insertion.  Japanese Acupuncture tends to be gentler and is suitable for sensitive patients and children.  Typically acupuncture is not painful, though there can be some pain with insertion.  Once needles are inserted to the proper depth, there maybe sensation at the needles or along the channels or corresponding channels, but this need not be painful or overwhelming.

Acupressure: Using the same system of points and channels as acupuncture points are stimulated without needles.  I typically employ this technique for young children and in conjunction with Tuina

Herbs: These come in several forms depending on the situation: pills, powder, tincture, pastes, plasters, or in raw form.  They can be used externally or internally, and always come with instructions for preparation & use.  Herbal formulas may include shell, mineral, & animal products.  Herbs have been a main stay in medical treatment for at least two thousand years in China.  Herbs differ from Western medicinals in that they can be tailored to suit each particular case to greatly minimalize or eliminate side effects.  Also, herbs are not simply given symptomatically, they are prescribed considering a person's entire presentation helping to realize the goal of systemic health rather then the mere amelioration of symptoms. 

Moxibustion:  Moxa (Chinese Mugwort) is used to bring heat and qi into a point, area, or channel.  It can be applied in tiny sesame sized cones directly to the skin, attached to the tops of needles, or can be used away from the skin in an indirect method.  This modality is particularly helpful in chronic cases or in cases of deficiency.  Moxa has also been shown clinically to act as an immuno-modulator when used over a course of time.

Tuina: Traditional Chinese massage which is performed over the patient's clothes.  Tuina tends to be stronger than typical massage- such as Swedish- and employs techniques which are not always pleasant but highly effective.

Cupping: Small glass cups which are suctioned (through the use of fire to create a vacuum) to the skin.  They can be used statically or kinetically and help to dramatically open flow of qi and blood.

Manaka Cords:  These are Ion Pumping cords, which are attached to needles which have been shallowly inserted in the body.  They help to gently but strongly regulate the movement and balance of yin & yang in the body.