Integrated Acupuncture: Five Element & TCM

When do I need this type of treatment?

• If you feel that you need a deeper understanding of your main complaint and you want to heal the root of the problem,  if you want to understand why this condition (either physical or psychological) developed in your body to the extent that is now ruling your life, then this treatment is for you.

The initial consultation lasts 90 minutes and it is divided into three parts:

• An in-depth consultation that will take into account the patient's present and past symptoms and complaints (medical history), inherited constitution (family history), environment (social and cultural), life-style (work and habits) and psychology (thoughts, emotions and relationships).

• The second part of the consultation consists of pulse taking and tongue analysis.

• The last part of the consultation appointment is the  treatment which will address your complaint.

The follow - up 

• The subsequent acupuncture treatments last an hour and may be accompanied by cupping, tuina, moxibustion, gua-sha, or infrared heat therapy, tailored to address the patient's complaints.

• Electro-acupuncture has been especially effective for treating neurological diseases, paralysis, chronic pain, and spasms. It combines especially well with acupressure to promote blood flow, muscle warmth, pain relief, and removal of blood stasis. 

• Electro Acupuncture is the stimulation of acupuncture points with electric current, using needles.  

• The therapeutic goal is to promote the circulation of Qi and stimulate healing and EA is suitable for conditions we would regard as caused by stagnation of Qi and Blood.

• Electro Acupuncture is particularly effective for invigorating the circulation in muscles that have become chronically contracted. By addressing the stagnation in the muscles we can bring the whole system back into harmony both on a physical and psychological level.

• From a Western medicine perspective, Electro Acupuncture works by stimulating muscles, nerves, circulation of essential substances, nutrient delivery to damaged tissues, and by removing inflammatory chemicals (Van Laethem, 2018).

•  The effects of Electro Acupuncture can be faster and greater than manual acupuncture, and Electro Acupuncture can be used for conditions that are not responding to traditional treatment – both acute and chronic (Van Laethem, 2018). 

•  Contraindications:  patients with pace-makers, epilepsy, heart conditions, active haemorrhage, fever, infection, or in pregnancy (Van Laethem, 2018). 

• During the treatment the patient experiences a pleasant tingling sensation.

Relieves pain

• Deep tissue massage therapy can be used to treat chronic pain affecting the neck, shoulders, legs and upper and lower back.

Lowers blood pressure

• People who receive a deep tissue massage for 45 to 60 minutes have a significant dip in their blood pressure readings. For this reason, deep tissue massage therapy may be used as part of a holistic approach to treat hypertension.

Reduces stress and anxiety

• Deep tissue massage therapy can cause an increase in the production of oxytocin which creates positive emotions. It also causes lower levels of cortisol—the stress hormone.

Breaks up scarred tissue

• When a person is injured or has a surgery, bands of painful, scarred tissues sometimes form. The deep tissue will help break up these bands and realign tissue fibres. 

Infrared light therapy provides effective relief for sore, stiff muscles and joints by directing heat deep into the tissues of the body. 

Light therapy produces heat both at the surface of the skin as well as deep into the tissues below. 

This increases circulation and brings fresh blood to the area to nourish the tissues and flush away any toxins that may be present. 

It is effective at relieving the pain and discomfort of ligament damage (sprains and strains), muscle spasms and chronic conditions like rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

Using light from the infrared spectrum, this form of therapy works deep below the surface of the skin. It is extremely effective when used in conjunction with acupuncture and other types of traditional Chinese healing methods. 

By temporarily raising the temperature of the area being treated, it increases blood flow and relaxes the muscles and tissues. Infrared light therapy is ideal for people who cannot tolerate deep tissue massage or require treatment in an area that is not easily accessible.

An acupuncturist may choose to use infrared therapy during acupuncture or cupping session to enhance the benefits of the healing technique. Relaxing the body and the mind prior to a treatment session removes any resistance and will increase the healing benefits the patient receives. 

Patients who are nervous or frustrated because of their condition and how it affects them, may be anxious or upset during a treatment session. Using infrared light therapy will not only provide a means of relaxation, but will also stimulate the body’s own healing responses.

Infrared light therapy is quite effective when it comes to treating the pain and discomfort associated with nerve disorders. 

Sciatica and various forms of neuropathy can be effectively treated with light therapy. Chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and chronic neck and back pain also respond well to this form of treatment.

Patients with bursitis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and various types of injuries can also receive relief. 

Edema or fluid build up around injured or damaged joints can also be addressed with infrared light therapy.

• Cupping therapy is currently all the rage amongst celebrities and athletes, but it is in fact centuries old.

• Cupping is a safe, traditional treatment that helps resolve chronic muscle tightness and pain faster than massage therapy alone. 

• It increases circulation, it  encourages tissues to release toxins.

• Cupping reduces anxiety. 

• Cupping can reduce stretch marks and scars. 

• Cupping is like a reverse massage – instead of pushing into the tissue, it pulls. 

• Treatment involves placing cups onto the skin to create a vacuum which helps to increase blood and Qi flow, loosen fascia, stimulate healing and remove stagnation. 

• Cups are usually placed on the back, neck and shoulders, or the source of pain. 

• Cupping may leave temporary marks, depending upon the degree of suction created by the vacuum and the level of stagnation. 

• Taoist Abdominal Massage has its origins in traditional Taoist Chinese Medicine and it came into being millennia ago in the mountain ranges of Taoist China.  

• It was developed by monks to help detoxify, strengthen and refine their bodies in order to maintain the high energy required to perform the highest levels of spiritual practices.

• The treatment involves working mainly on the abdomen with deep, soft and gentle touches, to train internal organs to work more efficiently.  

• This process transforms and harmonises the energy of the heart, small intestine, lungs, large intestine, liver,  gall bladder, spleen/ pancreas, stomach, kidneys and bladder.  

• The treatment strengthens the immune system and stimulate the lymphatic and circulatory systems. 

• It may help restructure and strengthen the body by realigning the energy centres and positioning of muscles, viscera and internal organs.

• This anti ageing signature facial has been perfected and developed by Elda through 15 years of experience and rewarding results. 

• skin cleansing with organic calendula cleanser and jujube seeds* for a a deeper exfoliation

• applying organic frankincense oil* on décolleté, neck and face

• lymphatic drainage and massage of the neck and the décolleté to release the built up fluid

• facial cupping -  lines and wrinkles will plump and any scar tissue will soften. The drainage of stagnant fluids from reservoir areas will reduce edema and chronic puffiness.  The muscles of the face benefit greatly from the reduction of tension and tightness, releasing expression lines and loosening rigid muscle tissue. Facial cupping can provide significant therapeutic results for symptoms related to sinus infections, inflammation, edema and those suffering with TMJ disorders

• special ancient Japanese massage techniques which stimulate the energetic meridians, bring balance to the areas of concern, boost the muscle tone and stimulate the collagen

• acupressure points for tired, puffy, swollen eyes

• hydrating the skin with organic frankincense lift cream.*

*Neal's Yard.

• Constitutional Facial Acupuncture is different from other treatment modalities because it treats the patients constitutionally, observing their genetic predispositions, their habitual tendencies, repetitive patterns that undermine their innate vitality.

• Changes in our facial appearance are not only dependent on bone structure, the elastin layer of the skin, genetics and hormones, but also on the movement and intensity of facial muscles which are activated by our thoughts and emotions. 

• This approach means that the facial acupuncture is performed in conjunction with needling specific points on the body which will help the patient heal at a deeper level. 

• Face plays an integral part of the meridian pathways that flow from the soles of the feet to the extremities, and up to the head, skull and brain.

• Constitutional Facial Acupuncture addresses each patient as an individual - therefore, the patients are not treated the same way every time they come for an appointment.

• For millennia, a therapeutic healing technique, known as Gua Sha, has been widely practised in China.

•  It involves using a round-edged tool, traditionally made from materials such as jade or metal, to press-stroke the skin until redness appears.

• It relieves muscular tension, breaks up adhesions in the fascia, eases up tightness.

• Speeds up the recovery process.

• Gua Sha has been used to treat a whole range of conditions from fever to chronic cough and migraines.

• In fact, it has been shown in studies to increase micro-circulation by 400%, clear inflammation and increase immunity.

• The purpose of moxibustion is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of qi and maintain general health. 

• It expels Cold and Dampness from the body.

•  Moxa is a good choice for those suffering from aches and pains. 

• The warming properties of moxa allow it to increase blood flow by warming the blood. Increased blood flow means increased oxygenation to the tissues, muscles and tendons that are sore. 

• It relieves pain - back, neck, shoulders.

• It relieves menstrual pain.

• It relieves pain from arthritis.

•  The herb material used is mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris, Ai Ye).

• Mugwort has a long history of use in folk medicine. It is believed that the Romans planted mugwort by roadsides to make it available to travelers to put in their shoes to relieve aching feet and protect them from exhaustion. 

•  Mugwort is used because of its acrid, spicy odor which makes it able to travel through all of the meridians, regulate qi and blood, and expel cold.

•  One of mugwort’s active components, borneol, is commonly used in topical therapies for its analgesic effects. 

• There are two types of moxibustion: direct and indirect.  

• In direct moxibustion, a small, cone-shaped amount of moxa is placed on top of an acupuncture point and burned.

• In indirect moxibustion, a practitioner lights one end of a moxa stick, the shape and size of a cigar, and holds it close to the area being treated for several minutes until  the area turns red. 

• Another form of indirect moxibustion uses both acupuncture needles and moxa. 

• A needle is inserted into an acupoint and retained. 

• The tip of the needle is then wrapped in moxa and ignited, generating heat to the point and the surrounding area. After the desired effect is achieved, the moxa is extinguished and the needle(s) removed.