These therapies are diverse, yet therapeutically powerful. They complement the arts of acupuncture and moxibustion.
Gua Sha – this therapy uses an instrument, usually a common Chinese porcelain soup spoon, scraped across the suface of the skin with some downward pressure. This action causes SHA (stagnant blood, Qi, and other substances) to move up to the superficial layers of skin. This results in petecchiae, or bruising. This then dissipates over the next few days as the body heals these areas. It looks much worse than it feels. Then results can be profound.
Cupping – involves placing glass or plastic cups over the body with suction. This suction draws the skin and tissues into the cups. Cupping is used to draw heat and cold out of the body, or to move stagnant blood into the main circulation again.
Cupping can result in circular bruises that can range from red to black. The darker the bruising, the more appropriate cupping is for the client. The bruises will heal as any other bruise would.
The location of the bruising needs to be taken into consideration by the practitioner and client.
Microbleeding – is the removal of small quantities of blood from areas of the body for therapeutic effect. This can be from the fingers, the back, and can also be used in conjunction with cupping.
Manaka Hammer and Needle – this is a small, lightweight hammer and peg, made from cherry wood. It is used to tap the body in a rhythmic manner. This rhythm is applied to the meridians and points of the body to regulate blood circulation, relax tension, and alleviate flaccidity.
Sotai Therapy – From his 50 years of clinical experience Dr Keizo Hashimoto reached the firm conclusion that the movement or motion which is in the opposite direction of the pain – in other words, movement which brings a good feeling – will correct bodily deformation or imbalance. Sotai is a complete system of this type of movement that can adjust our musculoskeletal system. There are two person exercises, where the therapist and client work together. And there are one person exercises that the client can use at home as Self Sotai.
Polarity Treatments – These treatments use classical Chinese acupuncture theories combined with modern technology. They can involve Ion Pumping Cords, Electrostatic Adsorbers, Ion Beam Device, combining needles or plates made of metals with opposite valencies, and magnets.
Microsystems – are small areas of the body that relfect the whole body. These can be found on the hand, foot, face, ear, and second metacarpal to list a few. These microsystems are utilised in many ways. In our clinic we often use intredermal needles, press takes, press spheres, or moxibustion on the microsystems for treatment.
