Oriental medicine at Healing Foundations

The theory underlying traditional Oriental medicine is that energy, known as qi (pronounced "chee"), flows through our bodies along pathways called meridians. Our health is maintained when this energy flows freely. However, if the energy flow becomes blocked, perhaps as a result of trauma, poor diet, medications, stress or severe emotional distress, the entire system is disrupted and we experience pain and illness.

Traditional Oriental medicine offers a wide range of time-proven therapies and treatments to correct and restore the free flow of energy. Acupuncture is the most familiar aspect of Oriental medicine in the United States.

Healing Foundations offers acupuncture as well as many other healing Oriental medicine therapies, treatments and techniques. These include moxibustion, heat therapy, herbal medicine, cupping, and gua sha.

Moxibustion

A form of heat therapy used to reduce pain and promote healing, moxibustion is the burning of the herb mugwort near or on specific acupoints.

Heat therapy

Practitioners may use a TDP lamp to provide the same penetrating heat of moxabustion without burning mugwort or other herbs. The FDA has approved TDP lamps for the temporary relief of pain and arthritis.

Herbal medicine

There are hundreds of herbs used in Oriental medicine that are known to have specific healing properties. After careful evaluation, your Healing Foundations practitioner may recommend a combination of herbs especially for you. Herbal formulas may be ingested as teas, pills, capsules, granules or tinctures.

Cupping

A vacuum is created in cups that are generally placed on a client's back to stimulate the flow of blood, balance the flow of energy, and draw toxins out of the body.  Clients often have painless bruise-like markings, known as sha, on their skin after a treatment. These markings usually disappear within three to five days.

Gua sha

Gua sha promotes normal circulation. It's used to help treat colds, coughs and muscle stiffness and pain. The treatment consists of repeated downward pressured stokes on the skin with a smooth-edged implement until small red or purple spots appear. (Many practitioners use a ceramic Chinese soupspoon.) Clients report immediate relief from symptoms. As with cupping, clients often have painless bruise-like markings, known as sha, on their skin after a treatment for three to five days.