Cupping, Gua Sha, Tui Na massage and Taping
Cupping
Cupping is often used alongside acupuncture or it can be a standalone treatment. It's not painful, but you might feel a pulling sensation on the skin as the suction action draws the skin and superficial muscle layer upwards into the cup, releasing stagnation in the area. Afterwards you may have a 'bruised' appearance in the shape of the cups on the area treated, but this is no cause for concern as research has proven that no blood vessels are broken or muscles traumatised in any way during this process and that it is completely safe. Any redness is an indicated there has been an increase in circulation under the skin due to the action of the cups.
Benefits of cupping
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Encourages circulation
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Lifts, separates and hydrates the muscle tissues
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Clears inflammation, congestion and stagnation of the skin, muscles, bones, joints and organs
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Reduces pain and releases tension
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Rebuilds healthy tissue and helps the body to regenerate
Gua Sha
This is a traditional Chinese healing method that scrapes the skin, using a smooth-edged tool to help release stagnation in the body and improve circulation. This scraping action can cause small, red, raised, rash like dots to appear under the skin. These are called petechiae and are not painful or a cause for concern but are actually a good indicator of where stagnation has been released and circulation increased in the area.
Gua sha can help relieve the following symptoms and issues:
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Headaches & migraines
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Neck & shoulder pain
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Frozen shoulder
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Back pain
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Jaw clenching
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Soft tissue injuries
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Scoliosis
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Spondylosis
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Tennis and golfer's elbow
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Upper respiratory infections or difficulty
breathing -
Colds
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Long covid
Tui Na Massage
Tui na massage is a form of Chinese massage that may be given at the end of an acupuncture treatment, particularly in paediatric acupuncture sessions. Parents are often taught relevant techniques to further assist their children at home.
Tui na is used to address specific patterns of disharmony in the body and follows the same principles as acupuncture.
Sports Taping
After having attended a training course in taping, I can now offer sports taping as an additional part of my treatment.
Benefits include
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Muscle, joint and ligament support
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Swelling reduction
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Alignment
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Blood circulation
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Assistance with healing
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Swelling reduction
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Psychological security
