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Cupping - Glass cups are warmed using a cotton ball soaked in alcohol, lit and placed inside the cup thus burning off the oxygen and creating a vacuum. The vacuum then anchors the cup to the skin and pulls the skin upward on the inside of the glass. Drawing up the skin is believed to open up the skin’s pores, which helps to stimulate the flow of blood, balances and realigns the flow of qi, breaks up obstructions, and creates an avenue for toxins to be drawn out of the body. Depending on the condition being treated, the cups will be left in place from 5 to 10 minutes. Several cups may be placed on a patient’s body at the same time or you can apply medicated or herbal oils to the skin just before the cupping procedure, which allows for 'moving cups' along the meridians. Moxibustion - Moxibustion is the burning of mugwort, a spongy and combustable herb that is warming to the acupoints and meridians. "Moxa sticks" involve warming the body using cigar-like stick over the indicated area. "Hot needles" on the other hand is loose moxa placed on the top of acupuncture needles so that they may send warmth deeper and to a more particular location. Moxibustion is usually applied until the skin turns slightly red and is warm to the touch, without burning the skin. The burning of moxa is believed to expel cold and warm the meridians, leading to smoother flow of qi and blood and proper balancing of the internal organ systems. Electro-stimulation - E-Stim as it is commonly called is a newer addition to Traditonal Chinese Medicine. Connecting electrodes to the ends of two needles allows for the passing of current between the points. This technique can speed healing, reduce pain, and restore function and tone of various muscle groups by more strongly moving the qi in the affected areas. |