Most of my acupuncture sessions incorporate one or more of these styles of bodywork.

SOTAI

Sotai is a Korean system of bodywork that uses gentle resistance to patient-initiated movements. It addresses tension and pain by re-educating the nervous system to change habitual patterns.

SHIATSU

The form of Shiatsu that I practice is Chinese in origin. It uses rocking, pressing, and joint manipulation to facilitate opening and flow in the meridian system. I often use Shiatsu to release fascial restriction and emotional blockage in the abdomen.

CUPPING

Cupping refers to a practice in which a partial vacuum is created in a glass, bamboo, or plastic jar by either heat or suction and placed on the surface of the skin. It helps in the purification and facilitation of the body’s vital energy, blood, and lymph flow ensuring a healthy functioning system. Cupping is primarily used for the treatment of pain, particularly stiff muscles, body aches, and inflammation. It can also treat gastro-intestinal disorders and lung diseases including acute colds, asthma and chronic cough.  Cupping can leave a purplish or reddish mark on the skin, evidence of the body's detoxification. These marks usually fade within 2-7 days.

GUA SHA

Gua Sha is the use of a blunt object to scrape the surface of the body, releasing excess heat, cold, or other pathogenic influences. A common practice in China to this day, many mothers perform this therapy on their children regularly for the treatment of colds and flus. The scraping action opens the pores and allows disease-causing elements to rise to the surface and be eliminated. It can also be used to relieve tense and sore muscles. Gua Sha is primarily applied to the neck, shoulders, back, buttocks, and limbs. As with cupping, gua sha will often leave a purplish or reddish mark on the skin, evidence of the body's detoxification. These marks usually fade within 2-7 days.