Ancillary Services
Chinese Medicine (and really all forms of cultural healing) are multi-faceted. Though acupuncture is the primary representative of Chinese Medicine in the west, I will often add ancillary modalities to your treatment if your presentation or condition calls for it.
Please note that I do not offer any of these services as a standalone service. All of my services include needles.
Okay, okay, I hear you. Sometimes you just need a little love without getting poked.
30-minute ancillary services treatments (without needles) are now available to book. However, while I take your requests into account, this will remain a clinical treatment. I reserve the right to treat your symptoms with the modalities I find most applicable to your condition using my professional expertise.
While I would prefer all my clients have first gone through an Initial Intake process, this treatment is available to book regardless if you have been treated by Kat before. If you have not gone through that initial intake process, you will be sent a Forms Packet, which you will be required to fill out prior to coming in for your appointment.
Some of those modalities may include:
Cupping
From a physical, Western perspective, I often describe cupping as a myofascial release modality. Counter to massage, cupping lifts the fascia off of the muscle, encouraging muscle relaxation and bringing fresh blood and oxygen to the area. It can also aid in lymphatic/ fluid drainage.
From an esoteric, energetic, Eastern perspective, “fire cupping,” or ventosa (as described in Pilipino Hilot and Mexican Curanderx healing circles) is also used to encourage the venting of toxins, heat, “dampness,” and “evil Qi.” The marks left by cupping are often studied by the practitioner to help identify the pathology that was released and aid in diagnosis.
Gua Sha
Gua Sha for the body is employed for many of the same reasons as cupping therapy. Similar to the marks left by cupping, “petechiae,” or the rash-like marks left by this technique are referred to as “sha” or “evil, stagnant Qi.” It has been long used as a home remedy for colds and flus, to promote circulation, and to ease muscle pain.
Gua Sha for the face is used to aid in goals related to facial rejuvenation. Gua Sha can be used to even out complexion, encourage circulation, and aid in lymphatic drainage. Unlike scraping therapy on the body, where we are trying to encourage the appearance of petechiae, Gua Sha is much gentler on the face and feels more like a facial massage.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion involves the burning of Ai Ye (Chinese mugwort/ Artemisia argyi) directly on the skin, hovering closely above the skin, or on top of a needle to stimulate an acupuncture point and/or acupuncture meridians. Moxa can help to tonify Qi, Yang, and Blood. Moxa can be used in a variety of different ways, including, but not limited to directly on the skin, indirectly using a moxa stick, needle-head moxa, herb wax moxa, and ontake tube moxa (my personal favorite).
Plum Blossom Needling
Also known as “Seven-Star Needling,” this modality involves a light and flexible hammer-like instrument. The plastic head of the instrument is embedded with 5-7 small needles (5 for Plum Blossom and 7 for Seven-Star). The practitioner taps the instrument over the affected area until it becomes red or bleeds ever so slightly. This technique is thought to stimulate the surface, the channels, release evil Qi or excess conditions, improve circulation, treat certain conditions, regulate internal imbalance, and more. I have used this technique for muscle relaxation, cold/ flu symptoms, and even for hair thinning/ hair loss. As a matter of fact, this technique is the basis for microneedling, which is used for a variety of skin and hair conditions.
Bodywork
*Please note that only light bodywork will be included in the 30-minute ancillary services treatment and only if the condition calls for it.
Tui Na, acupressure, and other cultural forms of bodywork are added to treatments to loosen the body, distribute stagnant Qi, to activate an organ meridian, or for lymphatic movement. In many cultures, including Chinese medicine and my own cultural background, bodywork is diagnostic, and its aim isn’t just for relaxation, but to restore harmony and balance in one’s body.
LED Light Therapy
LED (Light emitting diode) therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to address certain therapeutic effects. This can help with various conditions including acne, aging, hair restoration, pain relief, weight maintenance, cell regeneration, and more. I use a Celluma Light Therapy device, which is FDA approved.
Herbal & Nutrition Counseling
*Please note that this is not included in the 30-minute ancillary service treatment offering. This is a separate service that you can read about here: HERBAL PRESCRIPTIONS AND NUTRITION.
Herbs and nutrition help to continue your treatment when you leave my office. Whereas a western perspective of nutrition is centered on nutritive value, eastern perspective also acknowledges that every food and herbal supplement we consume also contains energy. The energy of each food and herb can affect certain organs, meridians, emotions, and more. Each food and herb can be classified as warm or cold, tonifying or sedating, and they can work in tandem with acupuncture treatment to redirect Qi to move smoothly and in the right direction.