Friday June 27, 2008 14:45

Glossary:

Acupuncture

A modality of diagnosing and treating disease, pain or physical conditions by stimulating various points on the body by needle insertion to secure a relief of certain diseases or dysfunctions.

Bleeding

Traditionally using a blade-like three edge needle, or more commonly with a disposable lancet in the U.S., to puncture a point on the skin or a small blood vessel.  Usually a few drops to a few ml of blood is let out.  Although it's not being practiced much in this country, bleeding is the big gun in acupuncture therapy.  It is extremely effective in treating some types of persistent pain and reducing fever.

Cupping

Application of small (glass) jars on to the skin by suction created with a flame or vacuum pump.  The jars are left on the skin for 5-15 minutes for therapy.  This stimulates blood circulation in the area, and is helpful to alleviate pain caused by blood stasis or expel pathogen from cold  and flu.  Bruises and occasionally small blisters will result and they usually go away in several days. 

Electro-acupuncture

After the needles are inserted, a very low current of a few milliamperes is delivered to two needles from a battery-operated electro-simulator.  This creates a circuit and provides a steady transmission of current to the area.  Depends on the intensity and frequency of the current used, the area can be sedated (for pain) or stimulated (for paralysis).

Moxibustion

Heating an acup-oint or area with a slow burning leafy herb Ai Ye (Mugwort).  The heat can be applied in several ways:   Ai Ye is packed into a small cone and place directly on the skin, and removed before burning through; or the herb is formed into a cigar-like stick and heat over the skin; or burn the herb in a specially made box  and place the box on the affected area.  The treatment is good for deficiency and pain of the cold-nature.

Tui Na

Means push and grasp.  Dated back to over 2000 years ago, it is a comprehensive system of therapeutic deep tissue massage and joint manipulation.  It contains a variety of techniques that can be utilized to treat internal ailment or soft tissue injuries.  The section of spinal manipulation was the origin of modern chiropractic.