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Acupuncture & Shiatsu |
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What is Acupuncture? Both acupuncture and shiatsu are based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which has constantly evolved and tried and tested over a few thousand years. The basic idea is to relax the muscles and joints and unblock the energy channels (meridians) so that any stagnation of Qi (vital energy) will be resolved and the balance restored.
 TCM based acupuncture addresses any underlying or constitutional issues as well as your main problem. The practitioner inserts fine sterile needles to stimulate specific points on the body which are selected according to the diagnosis. Some of the selected points may not be close to the part of the body where you are having the problem, but the beauty of acupuncture is that it treats the whole person, not just the specific symptoms. Therefore, patients with the same problem may have different diagnoses and treatments.
What is Shiatsu?  Shiatsu is a form of traditional Japanese physical therapy. It is one of the most recognized complementary therapies in Japan, like osteopathy or chiropractic in the western countries.
Shiatsu literally means “finger pressure” , but it is much more than acupressure. The practitioner may use the hands, forearms, elbows and knees to apply not only pressure but also manipulation to release any tension/pain in the body.  The receiver remains fully clothed and no massage oils are used in shiatsu.
The effects of shiatsu, however, can be felt at a much deeper level by some people. It feels like a combination of massage, yoga and meditation!  Moxa, Cupping & GuashaA moxa stick made of dried oriental mugwort can be lit and applied over some acupuncture points to warm the body and induce a smooth flow of energy. Small moxa cones can be applied directly onto the skin. Cupping improves circulation and helps remove any toxins that may have accumulated in the body. After creating vacuum inside a glass cup, the practitioner quickly places it on the skin. The cup may be slowly slid on the skin.
Guasha is deep massage applied on any knotted areas (usually on the neck and shoulders) using oils and a massage tool. Benefits of Acupuncture and ShiatsuAcupuncture and shiatsu generally relieve pain, increase the mobility/flexibility of the joints, improves circulation, boost the immune system, and generate an overall sense of well-being. More specifically, they can alleviate many common problems such as: - Headaches & migraines
- Neck stiffness
- Lower backache & sciatica
- Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) & sports injuries
- Arthritis
- Respiratory disorders (asthma, hay fever, etc.)
- Digestive disorders (constipation, diarrhoea, IBS, etc.)
and mental/emotional disorders such as: - Anxiety & panic attacks
- Insomnia
- Depression
They are also beneficial in treating women’s problems such as: - Premenstrual tension
- Menstrual pain & irregularities
- Menopausal symptoms
- Pregnancy related conditions (morning sickness, water retention, backache, anxiety, insomnia, postnatal depression, etc.)
- Delayed labour (both acupuncture & shiatsu can be applied to induce labour)
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