Acupressure, Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Chiropractic, Massage, Psychotherapy, Shiatsu

Acupressure. Acupressure (a portmanteau of "acupuncture" and "pressure") is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) technique based on the same ideas as acupuncture. Acupressure involves placing physical pressure by hand, elbow, or with the aid of various devices on different acupuncture points on the surface of the body.

The points used may or may not be in the same area of the body as the targeted symptom. The TCM theory for the selection of such points and their effectiveness is that they work by stimulating the meridian system to bring about relief by rebalancing yin, yang and qi. This theory is based on the paradigm of TCM, not that of science.

Acupuncture. Acupuncture (from Lat. acus, "needle" (noun), and pungere, "prick" (verb) is a technique of inserting and manipulating needles into "acupuncture points" on the body. According to acupunctural teachings this will restore health and well-being. Acupuncture is thought to have originated in China and is most commonly associated with Traditional Chinese medicine.

Chinese Herbal Medicine. Herbology is the Chinese art of combining medicinal herbs. Herbology is traditionally one of the more important modalities utilized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Each herbal medicine prescription is a cocktail of many herbs tailored to the individual patient. One batch of herbs is typically decocted twice over the course of one hour. The practitioner usually designs a remedy using one or two main ingredients that target the illness. Then the practitioner adds many other ingredients to adjust the formula to the patient's Yin Yang conditions. Sometimes, ingredients are needed to cancel out toxicity or side-effects of the main ingredients. Some herbs require the use of other ingredients as catalyst or else the brew is ineffective. The latter steps require great experience and knowledge, and make the difference between a good Chinese herbal doctor and an amateur. Unlike western medications, the balance and interaction of all the ingredients are considered more important than the effect of individual ingredients. A key to success in TCM is the treatment of each patient as an individual.

Chiropractic. Chiropractic is a complementary and alternative health care profession which focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, their effects on the nervous system and general health. Chiropractors believe that these misalignments, or subluxations, interfere with the body's self-regulating mechanisms via the nervous system resulting in bodily dysfunction. There is evidence that spinal manipulation can be effective against acute low back pain and tension headaches.

A chiropractor may specialize in treating low back problems or sports injuries, or may combine chiropractic with manipulation of the extremities, physiotherapy, nutrition, or exercises to increase spinal strength or improve overall health. S/he may also use other complementary and alternative methods as a part of a holistic treatment approach. They do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery.

Massage (Deep Tissue, Swedish). Massage is the practice of applying structured pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, joints and lymphatic vessels, to achieve a beneficial response. A form of therapy, massage can be applied to parts of the body or successively to the whole body, to heal injury, relieve psychological stress, manage pain, and improve circulation. Where massage is used for its physical and psychological benefits, it may be termed "therapeutic massage therapy" or manipulative therapy.

In commercial settings, massage techniques involve the client being treated lying down on a massage table or in a massage chair, or on a mattress on the floor. Except for modalities such as Thai Massage or Barefoot Deep Tissue, the massage subject is generally unclothed, and the body may be "draped" with towels or sheets. This also helps keep the client warm. Relaxation is necessary for maximum therapeutic benefits to be achieved.

Psychotherapy & Counseling. A healthy mind goes hand in hand with a healthy body. To achieve this goal, psychotherapy and counseling techniques are used in ways which help guide the individual toward self discovery and greater life satisfaction.

Shiatsu. Shiatsu (Japanese from shi, meaning finger, and atsu, meaning pressure) is a hands-on therapy technique originating in Japan. Shiatsu follows similar principles to Chiropractic or western massage using the principles of anatomy and physiology. The thumbs, palms, and fingers are used to apply pressure to designated areas of the body.