Acupuncture is a very significant branch of Chinese Medicine, and it has been used in China for thousands of years.
Acupuncture consists on the application of very thin - disposable needles through the skin of certain places of the body called acupoints. Acupoints are small areas that carry specific functions and are situated at energy pathways called meridians. Meridians have the function of nourishing and connecting our internal organs, our different body systems and other meridians with each other, acting as an organic and wholistic energy-web.
Disease occurs due to the imbalance of Yin-Yang in our organs-viscera and/or due to the disturbance of the flow of blood, nutrition and Qi (a form of vital energy pronounced “chee”) in the meridians. Acupoints are stimulated with the insertion of needles where a specific manipulation will be performed according to the case, in order to rebalance the flow of Qi and blood at the affected meridian and/or in order to rebalance internal organs-viscera as well.
The differentiation of what are the patient’s needs, lies on the ability of the Registered Acupuncturist to perform the adequate diagnosis, plan, and execution of treatment, which is done very thoroughly and carefully.
CM pulse palpation, meridians and acupuncture points (acupoints) palpation, tongue observation, full inquiry of the patient's symptoms, onset and history, auscultation, observation of the patient’s appearance, body movements etc., are all part of the tools used in CM diagnosis.
Benefits and procedures of an Acupuncture session:
- Can be very relaxing and many patients actually fall asleep during the treatment, feeling afterwards relaxed and at the same time refreshed and energized
- The insertion of very thin, sterilized, and single-use needles should produce little to no pain
- The sensation of De Qi (the arrival of Qi-energy in the acupoint) can be described as tingling, electricity, warmth, local light pressure etc.
The number of treatments required varies between 1 and 15 sessions or more, depending on the nature of the patient’s illness (if either acute or chronic), his/her body constitution, and vital energy to heal.
Even though there are many health-care professions who carry acupuncture as part of their education/curriculum, allowing them to perform acupuncture as a complement to their area of expertise.
Only practitioners who have passed their acupuncturist board exam and are Registered with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) are authorized to diagnose patients and treat conditions that belongs not only to muscle-skeletal issues but also chronic and internal diseases as well.
Acupuncture provided by a Registered Acupuncturist under the standards of CTCMPAO has a broader scope of practice. It honors CM’s philosophy of holism, acting as a tool for healing according to the patient’s CM diagnosis, which evaluates the person as a whole complex organism. It is also reimbursable under most extended health insurance plans.
There’s also a distinction between dry needling and acupuncture:
- Dry needling is a technique used by Western practitioners such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, and occupational therapists.
- It is based strictly on body anatomy, as opposed to CM principles.
- Thin metal needles are inserted in specific muscle trigger points to release tension and pain.
- Dry needling does not apply any CM principles or diagnosis.
- Dry needling practitioners are not necessarily receiving the same level of training as set out by the standards of CTCMPAO.
- Practitioners of dry needling might not meet the requirements to use the title of "Registered Acupuncturist" or "Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner" in the province of Ontario.
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Tao’s Space Cosmetic Acupuncture Treatments are safe, 100% natural and toxin free.
We combine body + face acupuncture treatments with facial massage and cupping or gua sha
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Cosmetic Acupuncture improves facial appearance by tightening pores, reducing fine lines - wrinkles and softening deeper ones.
It reduces puffiness and dark circles under the eyes, double chin and other signs of aging. It increases the circulation of qi and blood and stimulates the lymphatic system to detox. It builds up natural collagen and elastin production and improves muscle tone, resulting in a more firm - smooth-looking skin with a beautiful glow.
Similarly to acupuncture, acupoints of specific meridians are selected and stimulated by the insertion of very thin needles, then connected by small clips to a device that generates tiny electric pulses. These pulses will travel through the acupoints to the meridians. The device is used to adjust the frequency and intensity of the impulse being delivered, depending on the condition being treated.
Electroacupuncture uses two needles at time, so that the impulses can pass from one needle to the other and is considered very useful for conditions in which there is an accumulation of qi, such as in chronic pain syndromes, or in cases where the qi is difficult to stimulate.
Electroacupuncture has been studied for a variety of conditions:
- Effectively used as a form of anesthesia
- Pain reliever for muscle spasms
- Treatment for neurological disorders
- Electrical stimulation of acupuncture points activates the endorphin system, which could lower blood pressure and reduce pain
Patients may experience a tingling sensation while being treated with electroacupuncture, most likely due to the electric current. In most cases, however, the effect produced by the current will not be felt.
Electroacupuncture is safe but should not be used on patients who have a history of seizures, epilepsy, heart disease, or stroke or on patients with pacemakers. It should also not be performed on a patient's head, throat, or directly over the heart.
The current should not travel across the midline of the body (an imaginary line running from the bridge of the nose to the belly button).
Electroacupuncture was developed in 1958 in China when acupuncturists began experimenting with it as a surgical anesthesia or pain control.
After several years of testing, it started to be applied in current clinical practice and continues to be a very effective form of treatment to this day.
Moxibustion (moxa) is an ancient form of therapy that uses dried burning leaves of the herb 艾叶(ai ye)Artemisia Argyi or Artemisia Vulgaris, commonly known as mugwort, to generate heat and provide therapeutic effects. This herb is usually prepared in a shape of a cigar to facilitate its application.
The functions of the mugwort herb are: to stimulate the circulation of Qi and Blood in the selected acupoint, area or meridian, to expel cold, transform dampness, stop pain and strengthen the immune system.
Once the moxa stick or cones are lit, they are placed a couple inches above the skin (also called Indirect Moxibustion) in order to transmit heat and the properties of the mugwort herb to a specific acupoint or area. Indirect moxa can be applied in different ways:
- Placed at the top end of acupuncture needles, so the heat travels through the needles to the selected acupoint.
- Lit inside of a moxa box and placed on the area to be treated, to reach multiple acupoints or larger areas at the same time.
- Molded into a cone shape, placed directly on top of ginger slices and then on the desired area of treatment, increasing its warming effect etc.
Indirect Moxibustion is safe and should not burn or hurt. Blisters could happen, therefore the constant communication between patient and practitioner is important in order to keep the moxa stick at a comfortable distance where the heat will feel pleasant and relaxing.
Indirect Moxibustion is safe and should not burn or hurt. Blisters could happen, therefore the constant communication between patient and practitioner is important in order to keep the moxa stick at a comfortable distance where the heat will feel pleasant and relaxing.
Cupping is a form of therapy widely used in Asia for thousands of years and has been a common practice all over Egypt, Europe, and other countries for hundreds of years. The original cupping was performed in ancient times using animals’ horns and bamboo, evolving to ceramic, glass, plastic (with pump valves), and silicone cups.
Types of cups and their methods:
- Glass cups: Internally warmed by a flame, consuming the air inside of the cup, generating a vacuum and producing a suction effect when applied on the skin, popularly known as fire cupping
- Plastic cups: Have a valve that is connected to a pump, to withdraw the air from inside, producing the desired vacuum
- Silicone cups: Quite flexible, allowing the practitioner to “squeeze” the air out of it, producing the same effect
The suction in the cups causes the skin and superficial muscle layer to be lightly drawn into the cup using gentle pressure to pull them upward. For most patients, this is a particularly relaxing and relieving sensation.
Cupping can be used quite successfully to treat musculoskeletal issues, fascial adhesion, common cold, issues caused by wind, cough, asthma, stomach problems, nausea, abdominal pain, digestive disorders, painful menstruation, fever, hypertension, paralysis caused by stroke, hiccups, insomnia etc. It also helps the body to detox, promotes blood flow, pain relief, drains the lymphatic system and more.
Cupping can affect tissues up to four inches deep—impacting blood vessels, fascia, muscles, and scar tissue. More and more, cupping is showing up in physical therapy and massage offices as well, under a different name—myofascial decompression (MFD).
The fascia is a crucial element in our overall health that may still not be fully understood. It’s also one of the major areas of the body that cupping therapy can help treat, heal, and keep healthy.
The fascia is a tight-knit layer of connective tissue that forms a flexible but protective net around our muscles and internal organs. Acting as a vast, fibrous network that holds us together.
Fascia problems can be misidentified as muscle injuries, which is an easy mistake to make—both can manifest with pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Similarly, muscle tightness, stiff joints, and other common aches and pains may be symptoms of an unhealthy fascia rather than muscle issues. Fortunately, the unique dynamics of cupping therapy make it the perfect way to treat various fascia issues.
Injuries or stress that cause the fascia to become ‘stuck’ to the muscles beneath are common roots of pain and stiffness. People may complain of a knot or a particularly tight spot on the body that directly results from fascial adhesion. The vacuum effect of cupping is the perfect way to gently unstick the fascia from the skin and muscle layers and allow blood and fluids to flow freely once more.
When the fascia is gently separated from the layers around it, you will feel an immediate release of pain and tension in the muscle, which is one of the reasons athletes are such big advocates of cupping therapy. The suction is effective at targeting fascial adhesions, breaking them up, and helping them heal. Knots are not usually a surface issue; they go deeper, and cupping therapy is a great way to get into deep tissue layers and help release them.
Cupping allows you to pinpoint areas of pain and start healing from the inside out. At the same time, the cups help draw toxins from the area, promote draining of the lymphatic system, and help encourage healthy circulation.
Gua Sha is an important hands-on medical treatment used throughout Asia for centuries. Gua means to rub or press stroke.
Sha describes the blood congestion in surface tissue in areas where the patient may experience stiffness and pain; it is also the term for the little red dots that are raised from applying Gua Sha.
When Gua press stroking is applied in repeated even strokes, Sha appears as small red dots called petechiae, and the pain immediately shifts. In minutes, the small red dots fade into blended reddishness. The Sha disappears totally in two or three days after treatment.
The color of Sha and the rate of fading can indicate important information about a patient’s condition. Pain relief lasts even after the Sha is completely gone.
Benefits of Gua Sha:
- Resolves spasms and pain, promoting normal circulation to the muscles, tissues, and organs
- Immediate effect on coughing and wheezing
- Causes a four-fold increase in microcirculation of surface tissue
- Reduces inflammation and stimulates the immune system
- Upregulates heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1), reducing internal organ inflammation in cases of asthma, hepatitis, and liver disease
The patient experiences immediate changes in stiffness and pain with increased mobility.
Because Gua Sha mimics sweating, it can help resolve fever. Gua Sha cools the patient who feels too warm, warms the patient who feels too cold, while relaxing tension and reducing anxiety. Gua Sha should be considered for any illness or condition where touch palpation indicates there is Sha (stiffness and pain).
Gua sha is often done in combination with acupuncture for problems that acupuncture alone cannot address.
After the treatment the patient is advised to keep the area protected from wind, cold and direct sun until sha fades. They are also encouraged to drink plenty of water and eat moderately.
TDP Lamp (Te Ding Dian Ci Bo Pu) translated as Special Electromagnetic Spectrum Lamp, is used in this form of heat therapy because of its unique characteristic of producing Far Infrared energy. Conventional infrared lamps produce what is called Near Infrared.
Near Infrared lamps produce visible light that has a wavelength of 1 to 5 microns and are used as a simple source of heat. On the other hand, TDP lamps generate Far Infrared energy with wavelengths from 1 to 50 microns.
This is accomplished by heating a proprietary ceramic disc coated with 33 different minerals that, when heated, emit the Far spectrum of infrared energy that is most easily absorbed by the human body. This therapeutic heat penetrates through deep layers of tissue, providing very effective recuperative and analgesic results.
TDP Heat Lamp Therapy is usually combined with acupuncture to reinforce the treatment and is commonly used to: reduce inflammation, reduce swelling, stop diarrhea, promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis.
Some of its applicable scope are: Cervical spondylosis, periarthritis, lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, sports injury, gastritis, diaphragm spasm, pelvic inflammatory disease, adenitis (inflammation of a gland), enteritis, Irregular menstruation, menstruation pain, frostbite, diarrhea, cholecystitis and other diseases.
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