Erika Rae Polsfut TCM Acupuncture
Acupuncture and Non-Needle Techniques (aka Modalities)
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the gentle insertion of ultra-fine needles* into specific locations on the body. These precise points have both individual and collective functions that, when stimulated, activate the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS then causes biochemical changes that trigger the body’s natural ability to heal itself. This, in turn, leads to emotional and physical well-being by boosting immunity, reducing pain, and warding off factors that cause premature aging (1).
Acupuncture is recognized as an effective treatment for a variety of health issues by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), who are also conducting and publishing peer-reviewed studies on the practice’s effectiveness.
*Please note: ALL acupuncture needles that Dr. Erika uses are hair-thin, pre-packaged, sterile, single-use, and disposable. Acupuncture needles are filiform (solid/do not have a hollow center) and therefore cannot inject any product into your body.
Facial Rejuvenation
Facial Rejuvenation, also known as Cosmetic Acupuncture, is specifically to revitalize
the face. It has the ability to brighten the skin, reduce or remove fine lines and wrinkles, and improve face shape by lifting and toning muscles... it’s kind of like a mini-facelift, without the surgery, and with a more natural result.
As TCM looks at the body as a whole and believes “the health of the body is reflected in the face”, during a facial acupuncture treatment, you’ll also receive some body acupuncture as well to promote overall health that will make your facial treatments last longer.
For Facial Rejuvenation to be effective, a course of 10 treatments done within 8-10 weeks is required. Ongoing maintenance, approximately once a month, is essential. Results and the length of effect vary for each individual depending on their overall health, skin health, age etc. but most can last from 1-5 years.
Facial Rejuvenation is amazing but is not the right option for everyone. If you’re interested in investing in this service, Dr. Erika offers a free 15 min consultation to go over the process in detail and answer any questions you may have.
Herbal Medicine
Chinese Medicine is famous for its herbal formulas. While occasionally doctors of TCM may recommend a single herb, it is more likely they will recommend a specific combination of herbs, called a formula, to treat an issue. Formulas can be custom made to suit very specific needs in a patient, or be premade in capsule/ pill form. While Dr. Erika plans to eventually have full herbal pharmacy, right now she offers a selection of pre-made formulas in pill form. Should you require something more personalized, she can do a specific consult and order that formula in for you. Formulas are very reasonably priced.
Cupping and Gua Sha
Although both Cupping and Gua Sha have gained popularity due to celebrity and social media influencer use, these practices have been around even longer than acupuncture! Their uses go far beyond what is popular today, and while they may (or may not) trend downward at some point, their use in Chinese Medicine practice will always be valuable.
Cupping, used to be known as Horn Therapy, as the original “cups” were, in fact, the horns of animals! While there are five main types of cups used for this therapy today: bamboo, china, glass, plastic, and silicon, the later three are the primary ones used in Canada. No matter what type of cup is used, all cups have a method in which negative pressure is applied so that the cups suction to the patient’s skin. While the feeling can be mild, or intense, it shouldn’t be painful and the pressure can be altered for comfort.
There are many uses and styles of cupping. Cupping can be used to treat acute/ chronic tissue injury, lung problems (asthma, cough etc.), digestive issues, back pain, gynecological problems, and facial paralysis, just to name a few. During a treatment, cups can remain stationary, or be moved (like a reverse massage).
Gua Sha uses a tool to repeatedly scrape over the skin’s surface. “Gua” means “to scrape”. Sha means “like sand” or “toxin”. Interestingly, Gua Sha often causes petechiae (or “road rash”) on the surface of the skin. So, the term Gua Sha literally means “scraping to bring sand-like toxins to the surface”.
Scraping is done with a special tool; in my practice this is usually one made of jade or horn. The purpose of Gua Sha is actually to break the micro-capillaries in the skin, which is what causes the petechiae. This micro-trauma causes a rush of blood to the area. In turn, pain, stiffness, even a fever can be greatly reduced. Gua Sha can be done in a much gentler fashion on the face (no petechiae!) but it still causes an increased flow of blood which aids in muscle tone, lymphatic drainage, and leaves tissues revitalized.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion (moxa) is the burning of Ai Ye (mugwort), above the skin. There are many ways that this can be done, but for the comfort of both patients and co-workers, I only use smokeless/scentless moxa. This form of moxa comes in a compressed stick and looks like a black cigar. Once lit, the moxa stick is held over areas of the body that need treatment. It is deeply warming and is a fantastic tool in treating illnesses due to “cold”, uterine/ fertility issues, digestive problems, and aids in longevity.
Ear Seeds
The ear has many acupuncture points that can affect the whole body. Ear Seeds can be an actual seed, or a seed-sized metal ball, on a piece of tape that is placed onto specific points in the ear. These seeds are left in the ear for 3 days to 1 week and are meant to be gently massaged a few times a day. This acts as acupressure and essentially is a “take-home” treatment that can boost the effects of the in-person needle treatment just received.
photo credit: ear-seed.jpg (640×425) (streampointacupuncture.com)
Tuina
Tuina is a type of massage used in TCM to treat muscular-skeletal disorders, internal organ disease, and is also used in facial rejuvenation. Traditionally (and currently in China), tuina is also a manipulative practice that can be used for adjustments/ alignments, though this style is not within a TCM practitioner’s scope of practice here in Canada. Dr. Erika mainly practices Tuina for facial rejuvenation and may incorporate it for headache issues as well.