Services Offered
Kirra Point Acupuncture & Massage offer a range of services. For further information, click the links below.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Acupuncture
- Chinese Herbal Medicine
- Moxibustion
- Cupping
- Dietary Therapy
- Massage
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE - TCM
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on a concept of balanced qi (pronounced "chee"), or vital energy, that is believed to flow throughout the body. Qi is proposed to regulate a person's spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance and to be influenced by the opposing forces of yin (negative energy) and yang (positive energy). Disease is proposed to result from the flow of qi being disrupted and yin and yang becoming imbalanced.
Among the components of TCM are herbal and nutritional therapy, restorative physical exercises, meditation, acupuncture, and remedial massage.
Clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment principles are based on the theoretical frameworks of TCM which seeks to identify underlying symptom patterns that indicate how the body is or has become dysfunctional. Treatment is focused on the underlying condition as well as treating the presenting symptoms. Clinical decision-making and patient management strategies are also influenced by contemporary Western approaches to health care, including infection control practices and known interactions of herbal medicines with pharmaceuticals and other therapeutic substances.
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is a technique of inserting and manipulating fine filiform needles into specific points on the body with the aim of relieving pain, clearing energy blockages and encouraging the normal flow of qi through the individual.
According to Traditional Chinese Medical Theory, these acupuncture points lie along meridians along where qi flows. The practitioner may also stimulate the acupuncture points using other methods, including moxibustion, cupping, laser therapy, electro-stimulation and massage, in order to re-establish the flow of qi.
As a natural form of healing, acupuncture has the following benefits:
- provides drug-free pain relief
- effectively treats a wide range of acute and chronic ailments
- treats the underlying cause of disease and illness as well as the symptoms
- provides an holistic approach to the treatment of disease and illness, linking body, mind and emotions
- assists in the prevention against disease and illness as well as the maintenance of general well-being
Acupuncture is known to treat a wide range of disorders including:
|
|
|
The conditions labeled with * are also included in the World Health Organization list of acupuncture indications.
Other forms of acupuncture practised in our clinic include:
Ear/Auricular Acupuncture
Auricular points are specific stimulating points on the auricle. When disorders occur in the internal organs or other parts of the body, various reactions may appear at the corresponding areas of the auricle, such as tenderness, decreased cutaneous electric resistance, morphological changes, and discoloration. Therefore, these sites are also referred to as tender spots, conductant points or reflex spots.
Electro Acupuncture
Electro acupuncture is quite similar to traditional acupuncture in that the same points are stimulated during treatment. As with traditional acupuncture, needles are inserted on specific points along the body. The needles are then attached to a device that generates continuous electric pulses using small clips. These devices are used to adjust the frequency and intensity of the impulse being delivered, depending on the condition being treated. Electro acupuncture uses two needles at time so that the impulses can pass from one needle to the other. Several pairs of needles can be stimulated simultaneously, usually for no more than 30 minutes at a time.
Laser Acupuncture
Using light energy, an infra-red laser is used to exert a photo-chemical action at the cellular level of the tissue. The laser light stimulates any abnormal tissue to activate its normal inter-cellular radiation and thus restart the healing process. The use of the low level laser beam instead of an acupuncture needle to stimulate an acupuncture point has proven excellent in treating children and any individual fearful of needles.
CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE
The origins of Chinese herbal medicine in China can be traced back at least five thousand years, making it one of the oldest and most long-standing health care systems in the world.
Today, there are over 450 substances commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine - most are of plant origin though some animal and mineral substances may also be used.
Chinese herbal medicines are prescribed either singly or made into formulae which take into account the individual therapeutic action of each herb and well as the effects when combined together.
The majority of herbal substances are specifically prepared before ingestion in order to enhance their therapeutic benefits. TCM believes each herb has a certain nature or property, i.e. – cold, warm, hot, cool. Chinese herbal therapies possess many characteristics which contribute to their ability to balance yin and yang.
Characteristics such as:
- qi of the herb
- nature/property of herb
- taste of the herbs
- toxicity of the herbs
- function of the herbs
MOXIBUSTION
Moxibustion treats and prevents diseases by applying heat to points or certain locations of the human body. The material used is mainly ‘moxa wool’ in the form of a cine or stick. For centuries, moxibustion and acupuncture have been combined in clinical practice, thus they are usually termed together in Chinese – zhen jiu.
The moxa leaf is bitter and acrid, producing warmth when used in a small amount and strong heat when used in large amounts.
Yang qi can be activated by the moxa leaf for its warm nature. The acrid odour of the leaf can travel through the meridians, regulate qi and blood, and expel cold from the meridians, and its bitter nature resolves dampness. As a result it is used as a necessary material in moxibustion treatment.
CUPPING
Cupping is a therapy in which a jar is attached to the skin surface to cause local congestion through the negative pressure created by introducing heat in the form of an ignited material.
The cupping method has the function of warming and promoting the free flow of wi and blood in the meridians, dispelling cold dampness, diminishing swellings and pains. In clinics, the cupping method is mainly used to treat bi syndrome caused by wind dampness, such as pain of the low back, shoulders, and leg, gastrointestinal disorders such as stomachache, vomiting, and diarrhea, and the lung disease such as cough and asthma.
DIETARY THERAPY
Chinese dietary therapy is a standard modality of traditional Chinese medicine. The idea that food is also medicine is deeply rooted in the Chinese culture. Chinese medicine has a unique way to assess foods. Practitioners look at nutritional components of foods, and consider the food’s color, taste, texture and shape. Foods with specific colors and tastes nourish specific parts of the body and correct specific imbalances.
Treating illness and maintaining health through dietary therapy is central to the philosophy and practice of Chinese medicine. Two major dietary principles which relate to balancing Yin and Yang are the "Four Energies" or "Four Properties" of food (cold, cool, warm, and hot), and the direction, or "bearing," that the food’s energy takes in the body (upward or downward). The "Five Tastes" of food, the seasonal aspects of food, and the "meridian propensities" of food are tied to Five Phase theory. The specific functions that foods can have to tonify, cleanse, and regulate the body are based on these principles and on direct experience.
MASSAGE
Is offered in several forms within the clinic. Modalities are as followed:
Oriental
Using the acupuncture treatment theory, Oriental Massage invigorates and balances the body's Qi energy and is strongly therapeutic. Many conditions can be successfully treated with these medical massage therapies. The style of massage used in our clinic combines both Tui-na, Shiatsu and Acupressure techniques.
Tui Na
The medical massage of China is a vigorous flowing style using quick rolling, rubbing and squeezing pressures. It strongly reduces body tension and activates blood flow. Every session uses powerful classic methods specific to each presenting health complaint. Suction cupping, and warming herbal oils are often used.
Shiatsu
This Japanese massage therapy opens the flow of blocked energies that develop from stressful living and illness. The Shiatsu therapist uses thumb, finger, palm and elbow pressure to stimulate or calm the activity of specific organs of the body. Muscles and joints become mobile and limbs feel light and clear. It vitalises circulation, improves energy levels and calms nerves. Shiatsu is performed through a cloth blanket or clothing so you remain warm and comfortable.
Acupressure
The same point and meridian theory of acupuncture applies with acupressure. As opposed to the use of needles puncturing skin, the practitioner will use hands, fingers, elbows or knees to place pressure on the points. The pressure will help stimulate the points, enhancing circulation and promoting the function of the internal and external body, which the meridians transverse.
Remedial
Remedial massage can be helpful in treating specific areas of muscle tension caused by stress or injury. The therapy also helps to get the blood flowing to injured tissues to speed up the repair process. Remedial massage can also be used for relaxation and general wellbeing. The therapy has both short and long-term effects on the body. It is important to first gain diagnosis for a health condition from appropriate specialists prior to visiting a remedial massage therapist.
Sports
Sports massage is a form of bodywork geared toward participants in athletics. It is used to help prevent injuries, to prepare the body for athletic activity and maintain it in optimal condition, and to help athletes recover from workouts and injuries. The scientific manipulation and assessment of soft tissue for the prevention of injuries and therapeutic purposes, involving the restoration to normal functional activity of the various structures of the body, while maintaining good physical condition and health, through mobilizing and improving muscle tone, promoting relaxation, stimulating circulation, and producing therapeutic effects on all systems of the body.
Seated
A type of massage administered while the client is clothed and seated in a specially-designed chair. It allows the massage therapist to massage the muscles of the back, neck, shoulders, arms and hands. Sessions normally last 10-20min.
Gua Sha
Gua Sha is a Chinese technique meaning to scrape or rub. Sha is a 'reddish, elevated, millet-like skin rash'. Sha is the term used to describe Blood stasis in the subcutaneous tissue before and after it is raised as petechiae. Gua Sha is one technique that intentionally raises petechiae. Gua Sha is applied at the yang surface of the body: the back, neck, shoulders, buttocks, and limbs. Markings can last 2-5 days depending on the quality of the patient’s blood circulation.
CORPORATE
Corporate massage benefits the working environment to promote revitalization of office staff whilst preventing any repetitive strain injury. Workplace massage is a great way to create a harmonious and productive environment without unnecessary disruption to the working environment. Multi-staffed teams are available for larger packages. Click here to Contact Us for information concerning availability.