Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical technique for unblocking Qi (ch'i or qi) by inserting needles at particular points on the body to balance the opposing forces of yin and yang. Qi is believed to flow through the body along 14 main pathways called meridians. When yin and yang are in harmony, chi flows freely within the body and a person is healthy. When a person is sick, diseased, or injured, there is an obstruction of Qi along one or more meridians. Traditional Chinese medicine has identified some 500 specific points where needles are to be inserted for specific effects.
Electro-Stimulation Acupuncture
Electro-acupuncture, the application of a pulsating electrical current to acupuncture needles as a means of stimulating the acupoints, was developed in China as an extension of hand manipulation of acupuncture needles around 1934. The procedure for electro-acupuncture is to insert the acupuncture needle as would normally be done, attain the Qi reaction by hand manipulation, and then attach an electrode to the needle to provide continued stimulation.
Ear (auricular) Acupuncture
Auricular acupuncture is one of the more widely used microsystems within eastern medicine. Microsystems use one aspect of the body - for example, the ears, hands or feet - to treat conditions that are present anywhere in the body. Auricular acupuncture may be used as a primary mode of treatment or in conjunction with other treatments such as acupuncture, bodywork or homeopathic medicine.
Cupping
Cupping refers to an ancient Chinese practice in which a cup is applied to the skin and the pressure in the cup is reduced (by using change in heat or by suctioning out air), so that the skin and superficial muscle layer is drawn into and held in the cup. In some cases, the cup may be moved while the suction of skin is active, causing a regional pulling of the skin and muscle (the technique is called gliding cupping). Cupping is applied by acupuncturists to certain acupuncture points, as well as to regions of the body that are affected by pain (where the pain is deeper than the tissues to be pulled).