If you mean petri dish, negative-pressure laboratory scientific, then no. It is not. But, life does not unfold within the controlled environment of a laboratory. Life unfolds in forests, work-time commutes, seasons of flowers and birds, grocery store aisles, moments of bliss, birth, death and the 10,000 other moments that we hardly notice.

Chinese medicine did not develop by peering into a microscope, or tinkertoying with molecules; it has evolved over centuries of observation of how nature and life unfolds into being. It is not the science of double blind studies; it did not come from a system that imagines you can stand outside of it. It is the science of understanding from the inside, the art of reading connections as they unfold.

More like music than prose, in the same way Art invites us into an experience beyond the doorway of the work itself, the diagnostic process involved in Chinese medicine is the opposite of a reductionist narrowing to one guilty influence. Instead, it is based on process of piecing together seemingly unrelated connections, thus seeking to holistically glimpse a person’s situation. And unlike Western bio-medicine where there is a focus on one-size-fits-all treatment, Oriental medicine looks to see how each person’s condition is a unique expression of who they are, the environment, how it effects their life, and finally the illness process itself. We don’t focus solely on illness. We are not machines running down like a wind up toy. We are the stuff of starbursts, rainstorms and a curious divine spark.

Chinese medicine is neither heroic nor salvational. It does not assume we fell from a pristine state and we must work our way back to that one moment of lost perfection. It more sees life as a process of becoming. And while there are ups and downs, there is no going backward to some imaged moment when we were whole and somehow untouched by the world.
We are ever in a state of becoming–  and this particular science is marvelously adept at tracking and facilitating that process!

Traditionally Chinese medicine includes a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, dietary considerations and lifestyle choices. Each of these methods work at different levels to promote health and treat illness.

Acupuncture
Over many centuries practitioners of Chinese medicine have not only traced out the pathways or meridians in which the qi flows, but learned how to effect it to bring the body into balance. Thin needles are inserted into the body along various acupuncture meridians to improve the flow qi through the meridian system. Where qi is blocked, there are problems. Where qi flows smoothly, there is wellness.

Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine is a sophisticated system of healing that not only effects the flow of qi from the interior of the body, but also can address problems with the Blood, Body Fluids, Jing, (Essence), Spirit, Yin and Yang. Herbal prescriptions are based on careful diagnosis, and are administered on an individual basis. There is no such thing as “one size fits all” in Chinese medicine, nor is it common to suggest that one herb or herbal formula is good for everyone.

Chinese herbal formulations are a very individualized matter. Herbs are classified into various categories. There are those that tonify and increase certain metabolic processes. There are those that are warming which help to invigorate a person’s physical energy; others are cooling and effective in reducing inflammation. Some herbs are settling to the spirit, while others nourish the heart and the emotions. Each herb enters a particular meridian or meridians, has a specific temperature, and a certain action.

A skilled herbalist combines herbs together to bring out certain synergistic reactions between herbs. A good herbal prescription is not unlike a fine piece of poetry, or a well played passage of music.

Moxibustion
The use of heat to stimulate the points and meridians to effect the flow of qi. Most commonly, the herb Ai Ye (mugwort) is used as it provides a particularly deep and penetrating heat.

Massage
Also known as Tunia, is similar to acupressure. The hands are used instead of needles to regulate the flow of qi in the body.

Dietary Practice
Like herbal substances, foods have various properties that translate into specific effects on the body. Certain foods can be helpful for a condition, others can cause the condition to be worse. For example, it is common knowledge that dairy products can cause excess mucus production in the body. They should be avoided for people who have problems with dampness, and instead foods that reduce damp should be eaten.

It is common for practitioners of Chinese medicine to make dietary recommendations, as this is a powerful area where a patient can be involved in their own process of getting and staying healthy.

How does cupping work?
Cupping employs the localized use of negative pressure (vacuum) to reverse the centripetal pull of gravity. Simply stated, it uses gentle, controlled suction to open up muscle tissue and vastly increase local circulation of blood and fluids. Think of it as a Dyson vacuum for the muscles and bones. It sucks the dust bunnies, cracker crumbs, abandoned cellular debris and forgotten emotional carry-on baggage that have squirreled themselves away between your bones, muscles and fascia.

What does it do?
This negative pressure improves blood and fluid circulation, mobilizes muscle and sinew flexibility, irons out crumpled and contracted fascia, gives breathing room to adhesions, helps to vanish scars, dredges the lymphatic system, improves skin tone, breaks up cellulite, promotes relaxation and leaves you wondering “why haven’t I done this sooner?”

What is the deal with those big purple hickies?
First of all, contrary to popular belief they are NOT bruises. These “purple marks” as they are called in Chinese are the expression of internal stagnation and congestion brought to the surface of the body. They do not appear on everyone, only those with a significant amount of congestion, poor blood flow and lymph drainage. Those who are relatively healthy will not express with these “crop circles”, while those with severe muscle tightness, headaches, painful periods and various kinds of musculoskeletal pain will often, and with incredible speed, show with purple-black marks. These marks are both therapeutic (as they bring the stagnation out of the tissues and to the surface, where it can resolve), and diagnostic (the amount and nature of the discoloration gives an insight into the patient’s condition).

Traditional cupping, as generally employed in China, where cups are placed and then left to sit for 5-15 minutes tend to result in more of a polka-dot display, while the “oily sliding cup”method tends to leave fewer marks, has the added benefit of treating a wider area, and tends to cause the eyes to roll back in delight.

Generally speaking, the more one has the stagnation pulled to the surface, the less they will express with the spotted evidence of having been cupped.

Some famous personalities like Gwyneth Paltrow have been known to sport their spots without reservation. Olympic athletes have also been in the news due to their leopardish appearance. Even though the Western news media, during the 08 Olympics expressed astonishment at the purple spots, it is common knowledge to anyone who has spent any time in the Middle Kingdom that these marks are considered by the Chinese to be as common as teacups. What is more, any grandma in China worth her salt knows how to apply some old fashion buffalo horn cups to treat colds, headaches, backaches and sore shoulders.

It looks weird, how does it feel?
From the outside, it may look torturous to see the how the skin and muscle is decompressed into what appears to be an inverted fishbowl, however from the receiving side it is reminiscent of a Ted Drew’s frozen custard on a convertible top down July evening. Additionally, much like acupuncture, it is profoundly relaxing.

Where was cupping invented?
The use of suction as a therapeutic intervention has been around since the first human smashed their thumb and discovered that by putting it in their mouth and sucking the pain would be relieved. Indeed cupping, while a part of Chinese medicine, can also be found as part of the traditional folk medicine of many countries all over the world. While it may appear that suction therapy is some kind of newfangled treatment, in fact it has been around since there was dirt.

Does it hurt?
While there can be moments of discomfort if the muscles are frozen tight, or if the vacuum is too strong, in general the sensation of cupping is quite pleasant. Much like massage, there are those who like a light touch and those who prefer the practitioner dig in with a hammer and tongs. Rest assured, the cups can be adjusted to your level of comfort. By and large the response to cupping is “oohhh, aahhhh.”

Yeah, but I’ve seen movies where they used cupping and it looked torturous as the actors were writhing in pain and screaming.
The movies also are full of chainsaw killers, psychopathic politicians and women with impossible figures. Well, the part about the politicians might have some validity. Regardless, it is incumbent on us to separate Hollywood smoke and mirrors fantasy from reality.

How long does a session last?
A session of just cups lasts 20-30 minutes. When combined as a part of the treatment with acupuncture or massage it can be up to an hour.

Can I get massage or acupuncture on the same day?
Cupping can be combined with both acupuncture and massage. The thing to watch out for is getting too much treatment in one day. Much like eating a banquet, you need to give the body some time to “digest” between treatments.

Is there anything I should do, or not do after a cupping treatment?
As with any kind of deep tissue work, be sure to drink plenty of water after your session to flush the flotsam and jetsam that have been release by your tissues. It is best not do any kind of strenuous physical activity immediately after your session, nor should you engage in delirious amounts of alcohol or an ice cream binge. Ideally, give yourself an afternoon or evening’s worth of time to allow yourself to soak in the gentle feelings of glide and ease that are the result of your muscles and blood being on good speaking terms.

Do you have any scientific proof that cupping works?
The proof, as one of my teacher’s always liked to remind us, is firmly in the pudding. We have yet to hear a Petri dish comment on the buttery feeling of being cupped, but that does not mean there may not one day be microscopic evidence that sinewy happy muscles both feel good and are good for ya.

Could I have a second helping please?
Of course you can, just give Tracy a call at the clinic to schedule some time!

Chinese medicine, which traditionally has included both the use of acupuncture and herbs, is one of the oldest and continually used medical systems in the world. It is a well developed form of health care that evolved not in a laboratory, but in the clinical setting.

There is extensive medical literature, both theoretical and clinical, going back over 2000 years. Some of this literature is focused on wellness and prevention of illness, a topic that is talked about and increasingly practiced in our modern world. Other classical Chinese medical literature focuses on the treatment of illness. Much of what was useful then is still useful today.
In fact, some of the ideas and treatments from the classical literature give us new ways of approaching modern diseases.

Why acupuncture is a useful medicine today
Chinese medicine addresses not just the symptoms of an illness, but the underlying cause as well. It calls on the body’s own healing mechanisms and is generally free of side effects. While Westerners often consider acupuncture only useful for pain relief, Chinese medicine is actually a complete system of medicine. It successfully treats numerous kinds of internal medical problems, emotional issues, gynecological disorders and many of the types of problems for which people seek out a Western physician. Additionally, acupuncture can be used in conjunction with other types of therapies, and is useful in counteracting the side effects of aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation.

Finally, while it is effective for both chronic and acute conditions, Chinese medicine not only treats illness, but prevents it as well. Most of us agree that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and one of Chinese medicine’s great strengths is its focus on enhancing wellness and preventing illness!

The reasons are as multitudinous — and as varied — as snowflakes. It could be that western bio-medicine’s pharmacologically targeted molecules did not contain the key that fit the lock of a particular set of difficulties. Perhaps the side effects of such efforts proved more troubling than the initial complaint. Maybe batteries of tests and thousands of dollars failed to find the cause of their discomfort, leading to this directive: “Nothing is wrong with you. Take this anti-depressant.”

Some people turn to Chinese medicine for renewal after harsh cancer treatments or surgery. Some resent the row of pill bottles that face them every morning. Some come because they don’t care to wait weeks to see a doctor who spends less time with them than it takes to pump and pay for a tank of gas. Some want a second opinion. Many people come because whatever else they have tried simply has not helped.

Our bodies — and spirits — have tremendous ability to heal. If the knots that hold together an illness are loosened, life may change for the better. That said, Chinese medicine is not “one size fits all.” Regardless of how simple a health problem appears or how difficultly knotted and complex it has proven, Chinese medicine requires regarding every person as unique. While there are patterns and proclivities in health care, all of us promote our wellbeing or struggle with disease in different ways. Chinese medicine addresses that.

Why will you use Chinese medicine in your journey to better health?
That depends on your needs and unique constellation of vulnerabilities and strengths.

Cupping has been around for thousands of years and used by many cultures; it helps to promote optimum health by re-balancing and harmonizing the body. Traditionally it was said to be an excellent method for removing “cold” from the body. As such it is used in the treatment of respiratory problems, muscle and joint pain, stiffness, and arthritis. Today we think of it as being an excellent method to remove toxins, stagnant fluids and knots that are located deep inside the muscle thus causing pain along with impairments in motion. Cupping warms the muscles and alleviates pain and irritation by improving the flow of blood and revitalizing the tissues. Additionally, this treatment is of benefit to those suffering from neuralgia, chronic fatigue, TMJ and immune deficiency and can promote an increase in quality of life.

If you mean petri dish, negative-pressure laboratory scientific, then no. It is not. But, life does not unfold within the controlled environment of a laboratory. Life unfolds in forests, work-time commutes, seasons of flowers and birds, grocery store aisles, moments of bliss, birth, death and the 10,000 other moments that we hardly notice.

Chinese medicine did not develop by peering into a microscope, or tinkertoying with molecules; it has evolved over centuries of observation of how nature and life unfolds into being. It is not the science of double blind studies; it did not come from a system that imagines you can stand outside of it. It is the science of understanding from the inside, the art of reading connections as they unfold.

More like music than prose, in the same way Art invites us into an experience beyond the doorway of the work itself, the diagnostic process involved in Chinese medicine is the opposite of a reductionist narrowing to one guilty influence. Instead, it is based on process of piecing together seemingly unrelated connections, thus seeking to holistically glimpse a person’s situation. And unlike Western bio-medicine where there is a focus on one-size-fits-all treatment, Oriental medicine looks to see how each person’s condition is a unique expression of who they are, the environment, how it effects their life, and finally the illness process itself. We don’t focus solely on illness. We are not machines running down like a wind up toy. We are the stuff of starbursts, rainstorms and a curious divine spark.

Chinese medicine is neither heroic nor salvational. It does not assume we fell from a pristine state and we must work our way back to that one moment of lost perfection. It more sees life as a process of becoming. And while there are ups and downs, there is no going backward to some imaged moment when we were whole and somehow untouched by the world.
We are ever in a state of becoming–  and this particular science is marvelously adept at tracking and facilitating that process!

Traditionally Chinese medicine includes a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, dietary considerations and lifestyle choices. Each of these methods work at different levels to promote health and treat illness.

Acupuncture
Over many centuries practitioners of Chinese medicine have not only traced out the pathways or meridians in which the qi flows, but learned how to effect it to bring the body into balance. Thin needles are inserted into the body along various acupuncture meridians to improve the flow qi through the meridian system. Where qi is blocked, there are problems. Where qi flows smoothly, there is wellness.

Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine is a sophisticated system of healing that not only effects the flow of qi from the interior of the body, but also can address problems with the Blood, Body Fluids, Jing, (Essence), Spirit, Yin and Yang. Herbal prescriptions are based on careful diagnosis, and are administered on an individual basis. There is no such thing as “one size fits all” in Chinese medicine, nor is it common to suggest that one herb or herbal formula is good for everyone.

Chinese herbal formulations are a very individualized matter. Herbs are classified into various categories. There are those that tonify and increase certain metabolic processes. There are those that are warming which help to invigorate a person’s physical energy; others are cooling and effective in reducing inflammation. Some herbs are settling to the spirit, while others nourish the heart and the emotions. Each herb enters a particular meridian or meridians, has a specific temperature, and a certain action.

A skilled herbalist combines herbs together to bring out certain synergistic reactions between herbs. A good herbal prescription is not unlike a fine piece of poetry, or a well played passage of music.

Moxibustion
The use of heat to stimulate the points and meridians to effect the flow of qi. Most commonly, the herb Ai Ye (mugwort) is used as it provides a particularly deep and penetrating heat.

Massage
Also known as Tunia, is similar to acupressure. The hands are used instead of needles to regulate the flow of qi in the body.

Dietary Practice
Like herbal substances, foods have various properties that translate into specific effects on the body. Certain foods can be helpful for a condition, others can cause the condition to be worse. For example, it is common knowledge that dairy products can cause excess mucus production in the body. They should be avoided for people who have problems with dampness, and instead foods that reduce damp should be eaten.

It is common for practitioners of Chinese medicine to make dietary recommendations, as this is a powerful area where a patient can be involved in their own process of getting and staying healthy.

How does cupping work?
Cupping employs the localized use of negative pressure (vacuum) to reverse the centripetal pull of gravity. Simply stated, it uses gentle, controlled suction to open up muscle tissue and vastly increase local circulation of blood and fluids. Think of it as a Dyson vacuum for the muscles and bones. It sucks the dust bunnies, cracker crumbs, abandoned cellular debris and forgotten emotional carry-on baggage that have squirreled themselves away between your bones, muscles and fascia.

What does it do?
This negative pressure improves blood and fluid circulation, mobilizes muscle and sinew flexibility, irons out crumpled and contracted fascia, gives breathing room to adhesions, helps to vanish scars, dredges the lymphatic system, improves skin tone, breaks up cellulite, promotes relaxation and leaves you wondering “why haven’t I done this sooner?”

What is the deal with those big purple hickies?
First of all, contrary to popular belief they are NOT bruises. These “purple marks” as they are called in Chinese are the expression of internal stagnation and congestion brought to the surface of the body. They do not appear on everyone, only those with a significant amount of congestion, poor blood flow and lymph drainage. Those who are relatively healthy will not express with these “crop circles”, while those with severe muscle tightness, headaches, painful periods and various kinds of musculoskeletal pain will often, and with incredible speed, show with purple-black marks. These marks are both therapeutic (as they bring the stagnation out of the tissues and to the surface, where it can resolve), and diagnostic (the amount and nature of the discoloration gives an insight into the patient’s condition).

Traditional cupping, as generally employed in China, where cups are placed and then left to sit for 5-15 minutes tend to result in more of a polka-dot display, while the “oily sliding cup”method tends to leave fewer marks, has the added benefit of treating a wider area, and tends to cause the eyes to roll back in delight.

Generally speaking, the more one has the stagnation pulled to the surface, the less they will express with the spotted evidence of having been cupped.

Some famous personalities like Gwyneth Paltrow have been known to sport their spots without reservation. Olympic athletes have also been in the news due to their leopardish appearance. Even though the Western news media, during the 08 Olympics expressed astonishment at the purple spots, it is common knowledge to anyone who has spent any time in the Middle Kingdom that these marks are considered by the Chinese to be as common as teacups. What is more, any grandma in China worth her salt knows how to apply some old fashion buffalo horn cups to treat colds, headaches, backaches and sore shoulders.

It looks weird, how does it feel?
From the outside, it may look torturous to see the how the skin and muscle is decompressed into what appears to be an inverted fishbowl, however from the receiving side it is reminiscent of a Ted Drew’s frozen custard on a convertible top down July evening. Additionally, much like acupuncture, it is profoundly relaxing.

Where was cupping invented?
The use of suction as a therapeutic intervention has been around since the first human smashed their thumb and discovered that by putting it in their mouth and sucking the pain would be relieved. Indeed cupping, while a part of Chinese medicine, can also be found as part of the traditional folk medicine of many countries all over the world. While it may appear that suction therapy is some kind of newfangled treatment, in fact it has been around since there was dirt.

Does it hurt?
While there can be moments of discomfort if the muscles are frozen tight, or if the vacuum is too strong, in general the sensation of cupping is quite pleasant. Much like massage, there are those who like a light touch and those who prefer the practitioner dig in with a hammer and tongs. Rest assured, the cups can be adjusted to your level of comfort. By and large the response to cupping is “oohhh, aahhhh.”

Yeah, but I’ve seen movies where they used cupping and it looked torturous as the actors were writhing in pain and screaming.
The movies also are full of chainsaw killers, psychopathic politicians and women with impossible figures. Well, the part about the politicians might have some validity. Regardless, it is incumbent on us to separate Hollywood smoke and mirrors fantasy from reality.

How long does a session last?
A session of just cups lasts 20-30 minutes. When combined as a part of the treatment with acupuncture or massage it can be up to an hour.

Can I get massage or acupuncture on the same day?
Cupping can be combined with both acupuncture and massage. The thing to watch out for is getting too much treatment in one day. Much like eating a banquet, you need to give the body some time to “digest” between treatments.

Is there anything I should do, or not do after a cupping treatment?
As with any kind of deep tissue work, be sure to drink plenty of water after your session to flush the flotsam and jetsam that have been release by your tissues. It is best not do any kind of strenuous physical activity immediately after your session, nor should you engage in delirious amounts of alcohol or an ice cream binge. Ideally, give yourself an afternoon or evening’s worth of time to allow yourself to soak in the gentle feelings of glide and ease that are the result of your muscles and blood being on good speaking terms.

Do you have any scientific proof that cupping works?
The proof, as one of my teacher’s always liked to remind us, is firmly in the pudding. We have yet to hear a Petri dish comment on the buttery feeling of being cupped, but that does not mean there may not one day be microscopic evidence that sinewy happy muscles both feel good and are good for ya.

Could I have a second helping please?
Of course you can, just give Tracy a call at the clinic to schedule some time!