My Doctor’s Bag

Acupuncture is an ancient method of regulating your body’s communication and repair systems that become imbalanced through injury or disease, and bring them back to normal.

There are many methods of accomplishing this. The most well known in modern times is using very fine, sterile, stainless steel needles inserted shallowly in the skin. Another method is acupressure, which is using a finger, thumb or other tool to press on or near acupuncture points. or along acupuncture channels, which connect the points of the body.

While the East Asian countries all took their guidance from the ancient Chinese medical texts, each country developed unique ways of doing acupuncture. In general, Japanese acupuncture differs from the Chinese style in that the needles are inserted very superficially into the skin, or sometimes not at all – special tools are sometimes used to touch acupuncture points to create the change needed.

Medicinal herbs have been a primary method of healing for humans since time immemorial. The Chinese codified systems of herbal medicine over 2000 years ago. These formulas are still used today, providing the ultimate time-tested medicine for us to benefit from now.

Herbal medicine may be used in conjunction with acupuncture, or used as a singular way to treat disease.

Most often, herbs are crafted into formulas, rather than used singularly. This allows each herb in the formula to be more effective, while also reducing greatly any chance of side effects that heavily concentrated doses of one compound often create, such as in pharmaceutical medications.

Chinese herbal formulas are not often used for long periods of time, usually no more than a few months or so, sometimes just a few days in acute situations.

Sotai is a gentle Japanese method of movement therapy that restores alignment and the body’s neuro-muscular movement patterns.  It is effective in treating many types of pain and structural issues, including sports injuries, back, shoulder, neck, and hip pain, as well as headaches.  When the human frame is properly aligned, patients heal much more quickly.

Cupping is an ancient method of using suction to gently draw up congested fluids in body tissues that are causing pain or to stimulate and strengthen areas of weakness. Cups today are made of glass or plastic, but in ancient times, animal horns and bamboo cups were common in many parts of the world. Not only the Asian cultures used cupping techniques – the Egyptians and even Hippocrates did as well. There are many reasons to use cups beside pain and injuries – it can be used to help with breathing difficulties such as asthma, headaches, high and low blood pressure, infertility, diarrhea and constipation, stomach aches, and much more.

Moxabustion is another way to access the acupuncture points and generate a healing response in the body. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is burned on or near acupuncture points to warm a point or area, providing healing infrared waves and heat to warm and encourage movement of body fluids along the acupuncture channels or affected tissues. Moxabustion is shown to increase the body’s immune response, which helps makes it effective not only with injuries, but also chronic diseases.

Using the healing power of food, our most fundamental medicine and building block of health, is an essential and delicious component in treating and preventing disease, and ensuring you have the vitality to do all that you love to do. Eating should be nourishing, of course, but also delicious and fun! Feeling deprived, guilty, or unsatisfied are unnecessary and unhealthy.

Linden Healing Arts will help you find a delicious, healthy and satisfying path to health. We also offer periodic classes to get your started or focus on something of interest.