ACUPOINT THERAPIES LLC
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
SERVICES OFFERED
- Acupuncture
- Acupressure & Asian
Bodywork - Animal Acupuncture
- Herbal Medicine
- Craniosacral Therapy
- Postural Awareness
- Moxibustion (Moxa)
- Kinesio Taping
Method - Equine Stretching &
Strengthening
Exercises - MICROCURRENT
Electrical Stimulation - Laser Therapy
CHINESE MEDICINE
Chinese Medicine is the oldest, professional, continually practiced medicine in the world. It is a holistic approach to
health and disease prevention based on thousands of years of developments and refinements in China. The
Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic (Huang di nei jing) is the oldest major Chinese medical text and dates back to 200 B.
C. However, the origins of Chinese Medicine date back even further.
This ancient yet modern medicine is a complete health care system, used to diagnose and treat disease, prevent
illness and improve well being. In the hands of a skilled practitioner, it can manage disease as well as maintain
health. The benefits of Chinese Medicine frequently include more than just relief from a particular condition. Many
patients find that it can also lead to increased energy levels, better sleep as well as an enhanced sense of overall
well being.
The life force (or Qi, pronounced chee) is the vital energy that keeps the body, mind and spirit alive and functioning
properly. Qi flows throughout the body, along specific pathways called meridians. Each pathway is associated with
a particular physiological system and internal organ. Disease occurs when this energy becomes weakened or out
of balance. The ancient Chinese traced the Qi pathways and located points where it communicates with the surface
of the body. Each point has a predictable effect upon the vital energy passing through it. It is in these points that
very thin acupuncture needles are inserted to influence the energy so the body can heal itself.
Traditional Chinese Medicine uses an intricate system of pulse and tongue diagnosis, palpation of
points and meridians, inspection, listening, taking a thorough medical history and observing other
signs and symptoms to create a diagnosis. The skill of an acupuncturist lies in their ability to make a traditional
diagnosis from what is often a complex pattern of disharmony. The pattern and degree of disharmony is unique to
each individual. A treatment plan including acupuncture and herbal medicine is then formulated to balance the
body and return it to health.
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is a therapeutic and holistic modality of medicine based on the theoretical and philosophical
foundation texts of Chinese Medicine. Chinese Medicine emphasizes the physical and spiritual energy which
courses through every living being. This life force (or Qi, pronounced chee) is the vital energy that keeps the body,
mind and spirit alive and functioning properly. Qi flows throughout the body, along specific pathways called
meridians. Each pathway is associated with a particular physiological system and internal organ. Disease occurs
when this energy becomes weakened or out of balance. The ancient Chinese traced the Qi pathways and located
points where it communicates with the surface of the body. Each point has a predictable effect upon the vital
energy passing through it. It is in these points that very thin acupuncture needles are inserted to influence the
energy so the body can heal itself.
Acupuncture needles do not hurt like hypodermic needles because the needles are very thin. In the hands of a
comprehensively trained acupuncturist, there is usually no or little discomfort. Patients may experience heaviness
in the limbs or a pleasant feeling of relaxation. Many fall asleep during treatment.
Many conditions may be alleviated quickly by acupuncture. With some it takes multiple treatments, especially for
conditions that have developed over a course of years. Exercise, diet, determination and lifestyle will affect the
outcome of treatment. For more information on the frequency of treatment please read Issue 3 of the newsletter.
Acupuncture can also be combined with other modalities and should be seen as complementary to western
medicine.
Acupressure is similar but also helps with releasing trigger points, myofascial restrictions and muscle tension.
Using Acupressure to:
What is acupressure?
Acupressure is the stimulation of acupuncture points to treat pain and illness via the theories of Chinese medicine. It is less
invasive than the insertion of needles but is used just as effectively. Acupuncture and acupressure are documented as being
viable treatments for pain, injury, and a variety of illnesses. Licensed practitioners for thousands of years have used this
modality of medicine to look and treat the body in a more holistic way.
What is trigger point therapy?
A trigger point is a hyperirritable spot or holding spot in the muscle that when palpated triggers a painful reaction. It affects not
only the muscle where the trigger point is located, but also causes "referred pain" in tissues supplied by nerves. These points are
located in a tight bands of muscles fibers and are very tender. Finger pressure and specific tools are used to deactivate the
trigger points. Since the body has learned to hold these areas, usually more that one treatment is needed to release them.
What are myofascial restrictions?
Fascia is the fibrous body or connective tissue that holds the body together. It is a mesh or web that infiltrates every part of the
living body and acts as a glue to hold it all together. Without it the body would a puddle of gooey mess and bones on the floor.
If one could remove all of the other components in the body and just leave the fascia you would still have the shape and look of
the body. Damage to this system causes distortions in the system and therefore compensations and pain. Sometimes these
symptoms are not near the located site of distortion. Releasing these restrictions not only bring the body back into balance and
allows the body to use itself more properly and efficiently but also relieves pain.
HERBAL MEDICINE
Herbal Medicine is a safer way to treat disease than synthetic pharmaceuticals. Obviously it is more holistic and has
added benefits than just treating symptoms. However, herbal medicine is very powerful and should be approached
with respect. Herbal medicine has been used for centuries to treat almost any complaint. Rebecca commonly uses
herbs as daily support of ongoing acupuncture treatments and her own horse benefits greatly from herbal remedies.
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of the
physiological body and the craniosacral system.
The craniosacral system consists of the central nervous system, cerebrospinal fluid, protective membranes, and the
bones of the cranium (head), spine, and sacrum (tail bone). Over time, energy blocks and restrictions, caused by
stress, injury, or trauma, affect movement, performance, behavior, and attitude, creating a place of disease. Even
distal limb injuries can be detected in the cranial rhythm.
Using a soft touch, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system. Typically the localized site of pain
or discomfort is the place for treatment to begin, but it can lead to other areas of restriction or torsions that can also
interrupt the CranioSacral Rhythm and can give the therapist a bigger picture of the injury .By encouraging the
body's natural healing processes, CST is not only used for injury and trauma but is increasingly used as a
preventive health measure for its ability to increase resistance to disease and injury by rebalancing the body's qi.
CST is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction of the central nervous
system. Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is offered for both my human and animals patients.
Definitions:
KINESIO TAPING
After extensive research, the Kinesio Taping Method was developed by Kenzo Kase DC in 1979. Dr Kase was
looking for a method of prevention and injury treatment that continued long after the client left the office. Kinesio
tape is an elastic therapeutic tape that mimics human skin. Therefore it does not bind or restrict movement. It is
latex free and is meant to be worn for 3-5 days at a time. In addition, it can withstand swimming, showering and
fierce competition. Kinesio tape is being used by top athletes in the Olympic games, Tour de France, Kentucky
Derby, Pro Soccer, Football and Tennis etc. to enhance performance and protect from muscle injury and fatigue.
Depending on how the tape is applied it can affect skin, circulation, lymphatics, fascia, muscles and joints. It can be
used post operative and in the acute, chronic or rehabilitative phase of therapy. Basically it treats the body from
the outside in for not only injury but also prevention.
After an assessment by the KT practitioner, the tape is applied according to its principles.
KT can
(1) Create space to increase movement, blood flow and circulation of lymph
(2) Reduce swelling and alleviate pain
(3) Provide tactile cue for posture and proper use of the body
(4) Increase range of motion and normalize muscle length and tension
(5) Assist in tissue recovery and reduce fatigue
(6) Improve joint biomechanics
(7) Facilitate tendon and ligament function
(8) Re-educate muscles and
(9) Re-align fascia and fascial meridians.
For instance, KT can improve muscle contraction in a weak or atrophied muscle or it can stimulate relaxation in over
contracted muscles. It all depends on how the tape is applied.
The list of structures helped by KT is enormous. Basically, you name a body part, muscle, tendon, ligament or joint
and KT can help it. And, although new to the horse arena, KT is becoming quite popular and proven effective on
horses too.
MOXA
A chinese herb that is burned on the needle or above the skin to promote warmth and the movement of energy
through the area.
E-Stim
Microcurrent electrical stimulation is passed through the needle to stimulate the point and relax the muscles.
Microcurrent is used because it building and additive effects over time not just a temporary relief.
LASER THERAPY
Cold laser is used to stimulate acupuncture points. This can be very helpful with the sensitive mare that dislikes
needling.
EQUINE STRETCHING AND STRENGTHENING EXERCISES
Rebecca demonstrates and teaches horse owners ground exercises that they can do with their horses daily to
facilitate healing and support the acupuncture treatments. Although all the exercises are helpful, individual exercise
suggestions are tailored to the horses current needs.
Chinese Medicine is the oldest, professional, continually practiced medicine in the world. It is a holistic approach to
health and disease prevention based on thousands of years of developments and refinements in China. The
Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic (Huang di nei jing) is the oldest major Chinese medical text and dates back to 200 B.
C. However, the origins of Chinese Medicine date back even further.
This ancient yet modern medicine is a complete health care system, used to diagnose and treat disease, prevent
illness and improve well being. In the hands of a skilled practitioner, it can manage disease as well as maintain
health. The benefits of Chinese Medicine frequently include more than just relief from a particular condition. Many
patients find that it can also lead to increased energy levels, better sleep as well as an enhanced sense of overall
well being.
The life force (or Qi, pronounced chee) is the vital energy that keeps the body, mind and spirit alive and functioning
properly. Qi flows throughout the body, along specific pathways called meridians. Each pathway is associated with
a particular physiological system and internal organ. Disease occurs when this energy becomes weakened or out
of balance. The ancient Chinese traced the Qi pathways and located points where it communicates with the surface
of the body. Each point has a predictable effect upon the vital energy passing through it. It is in these points that
very thin acupuncture needles are inserted to influence the energy so the body can heal itself.
Traditional Chinese Medicine uses an intricate system of pulse and tongue diagnosis, palpation of
points and meridians, inspection, listening, taking a thorough medical history and observing other
signs and symptoms to create a diagnosis. The skill of an acupuncturist lies in their ability to make a traditional
diagnosis from what is often a complex pattern of disharmony. The pattern and degree of disharmony is unique to
each individual. A treatment plan including acupuncture and herbal medicine is then formulated to balance the
body and return it to health.
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is a therapeutic and holistic modality of medicine based on the theoretical and philosophical
foundation texts of Chinese Medicine. Chinese Medicine emphasizes the physical and spiritual energy which
courses through every living being. This life force (or Qi, pronounced chee) is the vital energy that keeps the body,
mind and spirit alive and functioning properly. Qi flows throughout the body, along specific pathways called
meridians. Each pathway is associated with a particular physiological system and internal organ. Disease occurs
when this energy becomes weakened or out of balance. The ancient Chinese traced the Qi pathways and located
points where it communicates with the surface of the body. Each point has a predictable effect upon the vital
energy passing through it. It is in these points that very thin acupuncture needles are inserted to influence the
energy so the body can heal itself.
Acupuncture needles do not hurt like hypodermic needles because the needles are very thin. In the hands of a
comprehensively trained acupuncturist, there is usually no or little discomfort. Patients may experience heaviness
in the limbs or a pleasant feeling of relaxation. Many fall asleep during treatment.
Many conditions may be alleviated quickly by acupuncture. With some it takes multiple treatments, especially for
conditions that have developed over a course of years. Exercise, diet, determination and lifestyle will affect the
outcome of treatment. For more information on the frequency of treatment please read Issue 3 of the newsletter.
Acupuncture can also be combined with other modalities and should be seen as complementary to western
medicine.
Acupressure is similar but also helps with releasing trigger points, myofascial restrictions and muscle tension.
Using Acupressure to:
- Release the myofascia and trigger points
- Release chronic pain and tension in muscles and connective tissue
- Positively effect humans & horses
- Balance the energetic body according to the principles of Chinese medicine
What is acupressure?
Acupressure is the stimulation of acupuncture points to treat pain and illness via the theories of Chinese medicine. It is less
invasive than the insertion of needles but is used just as effectively. Acupuncture and acupressure are documented as being
viable treatments for pain, injury, and a variety of illnesses. Licensed practitioners for thousands of years have used this
modality of medicine to look and treat the body in a more holistic way.
What is trigger point therapy?
A trigger point is a hyperirritable spot or holding spot in the muscle that when palpated triggers a painful reaction. It affects not
only the muscle where the trigger point is located, but also causes "referred pain" in tissues supplied by nerves. These points are
located in a tight bands of muscles fibers and are very tender. Finger pressure and specific tools are used to deactivate the
trigger points. Since the body has learned to hold these areas, usually more that one treatment is needed to release them.
What are myofascial restrictions?
Fascia is the fibrous body or connective tissue that holds the body together. It is a mesh or web that infiltrates every part of the
living body and acts as a glue to hold it all together. Without it the body would a puddle of gooey mess and bones on the floor.
If one could remove all of the other components in the body and just leave the fascia you would still have the shape and look of
the body. Damage to this system causes distortions in the system and therefore compensations and pain. Sometimes these
symptoms are not near the located site of distortion. Releasing these restrictions not only bring the body back into balance and
allows the body to use itself more properly and efficiently but also relieves pain.
HERBAL MEDICINE
Herbal Medicine is a safer way to treat disease than synthetic pharmaceuticals. Obviously it is more holistic and has
added benefits than just treating symptoms. However, herbal medicine is very powerful and should be approached
with respect. Herbal medicine has been used for centuries to treat almost any complaint. Rebecca commonly uses
herbs as daily support of ongoing acupuncture treatments and her own horse benefits greatly from herbal remedies.
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of the
physiological body and the craniosacral system.
The craniosacral system consists of the central nervous system, cerebrospinal fluid, protective membranes, and the
bones of the cranium (head), spine, and sacrum (tail bone). Over time, energy blocks and restrictions, caused by
stress, injury, or trauma, affect movement, performance, behavior, and attitude, creating a place of disease. Even
distal limb injuries can be detected in the cranial rhythm.
Using a soft touch, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system. Typically the localized site of pain
or discomfort is the place for treatment to begin, but it can lead to other areas of restriction or torsions that can also
interrupt the CranioSacral Rhythm and can give the therapist a bigger picture of the injury .By encouraging the
body's natural healing processes, CST is not only used for injury and trauma but is increasingly used as a
preventive health measure for its ability to increase resistance to disease and injury by rebalancing the body's qi.
CST is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction of the central nervous
system. Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is offered for both my human and animals patients.
Definitions:
- Restriction: This term refers to a restriction felt in a particular joint, muscle or tendon that is restricted in
following the rhythm of the CranioSacral Flow.
- Torsion: The feeling a particular site might have due to injury. A hock joint may feel like it has a torsion
that is restricting the CranioSacral rhythm.
- Energy Therapy: This is defined very simply as tuning into the Universal Life Energy or Chi, that we all
possess that can assist the body in healing itself at it's own pace and at different levels.
- Signs of Release: The practitioner can feel the release of a restriction or torsion, but a horse gives
definite physical signs as well. The signs include yawning, licking and chewing, gas and stomach noises
and deep breathing. Some horses will stretch as if just waking up and many times during a session a
horse looks to be “in the zone” with eyes half or fully closed or a blank expression with ears relaxed.
- Cellular Emotional Release: Memories can be held at the cellular level in the body and can be felt as
an emotion especially at an injury site. The horse will start acting as if it’s angry, fearful or it will show
insecurity by rubbing the owner with his head, or will chew the lead rope like teething, but as soon as
the area releases, the eyes will go back to being soft and relaxed and the emotion is gone. The horse
may even strike or kick during cellular emotional releases indicating anger or fear that was being held
at a particular site in the body. This behavior is many times out of character for the horse and is only a
release. With humans emotional releases can be laughing, yawning, crying, or squirming.
- Energy Blocks: This is an energetic “scar” that can manifest from injuries like kicks, falls, being struck
or other aggressive or unfortunate circumstances. These sites block the flow of life force energy.
- Still Point: This is the moment that the rhythm stops either on its own or through conscious intent of the
practitioner to stop the rhythm so the body can reintegrate and assimilate the changes that are being
made.
KINESIO TAPING
After extensive research, the Kinesio Taping Method was developed by Kenzo Kase DC in 1979. Dr Kase was
looking for a method of prevention and injury treatment that continued long after the client left the office. Kinesio
tape is an elastic therapeutic tape that mimics human skin. Therefore it does not bind or restrict movement. It is
latex free and is meant to be worn for 3-5 days at a time. In addition, it can withstand swimming, showering and
fierce competition. Kinesio tape is being used by top athletes in the Olympic games, Tour de France, Kentucky
Derby, Pro Soccer, Football and Tennis etc. to enhance performance and protect from muscle injury and fatigue.
Depending on how the tape is applied it can affect skin, circulation, lymphatics, fascia, muscles and joints. It can be
used post operative and in the acute, chronic or rehabilitative phase of therapy. Basically it treats the body from
the outside in for not only injury but also prevention.
After an assessment by the KT practitioner, the tape is applied according to its principles.
KT can
(1) Create space to increase movement, blood flow and circulation of lymph
(2) Reduce swelling and alleviate pain
(3) Provide tactile cue for posture and proper use of the body
(4) Increase range of motion and normalize muscle length and tension
(5) Assist in tissue recovery and reduce fatigue
(6) Improve joint biomechanics
(7) Facilitate tendon and ligament function
(8) Re-educate muscles and
(9) Re-align fascia and fascial meridians.
For instance, KT can improve muscle contraction in a weak or atrophied muscle or it can stimulate relaxation in over
contracted muscles. It all depends on how the tape is applied.
The list of structures helped by KT is enormous. Basically, you name a body part, muscle, tendon, ligament or joint
and KT can help it. And, although new to the horse arena, KT is becoming quite popular and proven effective on
horses too.
MOXA
A chinese herb that is burned on the needle or above the skin to promote warmth and the movement of energy
through the area.
E-Stim
Microcurrent electrical stimulation is passed through the needle to stimulate the point and relax the muscles.
Microcurrent is used because it building and additive effects over time not just a temporary relief.
LASER THERAPY
Cold laser is used to stimulate acupuncture points. This can be very helpful with the sensitive mare that dislikes
needling.
EQUINE STRETCHING AND STRENGTHENING EXERCISES
Rebecca demonstrates and teaches horse owners ground exercises that they can do with their horses daily to
facilitate healing and support the acupuncture treatments. Although all the exercises are helpful, individual exercise
suggestions are tailored to the horses current needs.