Acupressure, Cupping, Moxibustion

Acupressure

Acupressure offers all the medical benefits of acupuncture, but instead of the use of needles practitioners use their hands to apply skilled pressure and touch to activate the Acu points to bring about homoeostasis within the body and emotions: Deeply relaxing and a pleasure to receive.

Acupressure has been recognised as a therapy for thousands of years and great knowledge has been accumulated about the specific use and effect of the Acu points used. Acu points are places on the surface of the body, often located on meridian lines. These function to encourage specific balance and healing change. As the Qi of the body redistributes and harmonises the material and mind of the body follow suit, for example, supporting the health of organs, joints, soft tissue, and emotional stability.

Acupressure addresses imbalances at their most subtle level. By balancing the Qi of the body Acupressure can address imbalances before they become extreme enough to manifest as stress, injuries, pain, and sickness. And if the body is already injured or out of kilter can support the body in healing and rehabilitation.

Cupping
The effects of this technique are to stimulate circulation of the area and relax tense muscles. It can also be used to 'draw out pathogens' in the case of common cold, flu etc. especially when used on the back.

This technique involves the use of glass or bamboo cups which are placed onto the body having first created a partial vacuum inside using a flame. This causes the cup to stick to the body and provide a gentle suction.

There are a few ways to use cups. Stationary cupping involves placing the cups over Acu points and leaving them in place for a while to promote strong stimulation. Slide cupping involves putting the cups on the body with a little oil and sliding them along from one place to another to cover a larger area. Finally, flash cupping is where the cups are placed on the body and then quickly removed, in order to provide a milder stimulation.

Moxibustion
Moxibustion is often incorporated into treatment sessions where cold has penetrated the tissues and joints obstructing the flow of Qi and causing pain that is difficult to shift, vulnerability to injury, fatigue and debilitation of movement. The warmth from the Moxa penetrates deep into the tissues through the Acu points and along meridian channels to relieve cold obstruction and strengthen the Qi of the body.

In pregnancy Moxibustion can be used at or near term to safely and naturally promote labour and turn babies in the womb.

Moxibustion at The Home Clinic refers to the burning of Moxa in its most common form, the Moxa stick. This is a tube of densely packed Chinese herbs which is lit at one end and then held above Acu points in order to provide a relaxing and therapeutic source of heat.