Our Services:
We proudly offer treatments based on the five pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):
Acupuncture
Herbal Medicine
Manual Therapy (cush as cupping, gua sha, and tuina)
Nutrition (food as medicine)
Exercise (such as Tai Chi and Qi Gong)
Acupuncture
The insertion of hair-thin metal needles into specific points on the body is known as acupuncture. This treatment induces a strong anti-inflammatory response in the body and increases blood flow to compromised tissues, muscles, joints, and organs. Studies show that the people release endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and produce more immune related cells in response to acupuncture. This accounts for the relaxation and stress-relieving effects of the treatments. In essence, acupuncture stimulates the body to heal itself.
Despite being thousands of years old, acupuncture treats many modern diseases. Our treatments are safe and relaxing, provided by our Board Certified, Licensed Acupuncturists in a beautiful and calming environment.
Tuina Massage
Tuina is the name of traditional Chinese massage using pressure along the acupuncture meridians to harmonize health and relieve pain. Tuina therapy is invigorating and focuses on internal medicine using techniques such as rocking, plucking, scrubbing, kneading and tapotement. Many acupuncturists learn Tuina as part of their education in Chinese Medicine.
Cupping
Cupping is another manual therapy and is mainly used for pain. Cupping gained an audience during the 2016 Olympics when swimmer Michael Phelps competed for the USA with cupping marks on his shoulders. Today most professional athletes (and Hollywood stars) have used cupping to relieve muscle pain and strain or to promote circulation and detox. Lesser known, cupping also benefits several organs and is used to relieve coughs for pediatric bronchitis word wide.
Guasha
Gua sha has gained recent popularity for facial lifting and smoothing, however it has been used to break down painful adhesions, knots, and sore muscles for thousands of years. It is classically performed with a tool like Chinese soup spoon or a flat piece of jade that is “scraped” along sore muscles or scar tissue to create therapeutic inflammation. Dr Jill says that just like cupping “it feels better than it looks!”
Herbal Medicine
Acupuncturists spend years studying acupuncture and herbal medicine and then take national exams for the honor of becoming a board certified Diplomate Oriental Medicine. At West Hartford & Avon Acupuncture we recommend herbal medicine as a part of your acupuncture treatment when it is appropriate. We only carry the most effective and high quality brands of herbal medicine which we use ourselves. You may also book an herbal consultation without acupuncture services.
Nutrition
TCM recognizes the importance of five flavors: sour, salty, sweet, pungent (spicy), and bitter. Moderation in all flavors is the key to health, and each flavor opens to a different system in the body. Your cravings can give your practitioner insight into which system is out of balance. Ask your acupuncturist for a TCM dietary recommendation!
Exercise
In TCM, the common therapeutic exercise is Tai Chi or Qi Gong. All cultures have this principle that regular gentle movement can prevent pain and arthritis and promote mental and physical well being. It is our observation that Tai Chi and Qi gong are particularly meditative and relaxing as well as nourishing to your energy and circulation. Try it! You may be surprised when your cold hands become warm and tingly.