Acupuncture
Based on thousands of years of empirical data, acupuncture points have been identified along pathways of energy that run throughout the body. If there is congestion or weakness anywhere along these pathways, a feeling of dis-ease can result, and if left untreated, can develop into major illness or pain. By stimulating acupuncture points, congestion can be disseminated and areas of weakness will gain more nourishment. Once the proper flow of energy is reestablished, health and well being will ensue.
Cupping
Cupping gained a lot of publicity when Michael Phelps showed up to swim with large purple circles all over his back. These are ‘cup marks’ and they are made using suction. Applying suction to a muscle acts as a myofascial release technique, kind of a reverse massage. It allows us to pull the connective tissue layer away from the muscle layer, which stops pain from traveling. When we can isolate the pain to one specific area instead of treating numerous areas that it is referring to, via the connective tissue, we can treat it more easily. Cupping can feel a little pinchy at first, but most people enjoy the sensation it brings and the pain relief it provides once the cups have been removed. And yes, sometimes it can leave dark purple circles similar to Michael Phelps, but more often it causes a more mild discoloration.
Louisville acupuncturist demonstrating cupping technique for pain, muscle tension, myofascial release and detoxification.
Moxa
Moxa is one of our favorite modalities, especially in the colder months because the warmth it generates is so penetrating and nourishing.
It is great for those that have poor energy, sluggish digestion or feel chilled easily. Research shows that moxibustion increases white blood cell counts which decrease inflammation and boost the immune system.
Moxibustion, often referred to as ‘moxa’, is a warming modality that involves the herb mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris.
The herb is burned above the skin or on acupuncture points, and comes in numerous forms, including cones, sticks, or loose herb. The sticks look like cigars and are held over the skin and can treat large areas. Cones are placed on the skin directly over an acupuncture point. Loose herb can be used in the same way, or applied to the free end of an acupuncture needle.
Moxibustion is a warming, anti-inflammatory treatment acupuncturists use during acupuncture treatment. It is one of several modalities within Chinese Medicine that are helpful for pain, weak immune systems, and inflammation.
Moxibustion is used to promote healing, reduce pain, and improve overall well-being.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that moxibustion works by balancing the flow of vital energy, or "qi," within the body. The heat generated during moxibustion stimulates the flow of qi and blood, helping to address various health issues.
Moxibustion is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat conditions such as:
Pain: Moxibustion is often used for pain relief, especially for conditions like arthritis, muscle pain, and menstrual cramps.
Digestive problems: It may help with digestive issues like diarrhea, indigestion, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Gynecological issues: Moxibustion is used to address menstrual disorders, infertility, and breech presentation in pregnancy.
Weakened immunity: Warmth is essential for maintaining a strong and balanced immune system. In TCM, “cold” or “damp” conditions weaken the body's innate defenses. Moxa is used to dispel cold and dampness.
Herbal Therapy
Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine is a holistic system of healing that has been practiced for thousands of years in China and other parts of East Asia. It is a fundamental component of traditional Chinese medicine. Deeply rooted in Chinese culture, herbal medicine has been passed down through generations. It reflects a holistic view of health that considers not only the physical body, but also the mind, emotions, and the environment.
The Chinese Materia Medica is an extensive compendium of medicinal substances that include plants, minerals, and animal parts. Each individual medicine, or herb, is classified by its temperature (i.e. cold, cool, hot warm, or neutral) and flavor (i.e. pungent, sweet, sour, bitter, and salty). The combination of these characteristics will elicit different effects on the body and give each herb a specific function, such as heat-clearing or dampness-eliminating.
Most of the time herbs are used in combinations, called herbal formulas, where multiple herbs work synergistically to treat the root of the disease and alleviate symptoms. These formulas are tailored to your own specific diagnosis and constitution. The most common ways we use Chinese Herbs in our clinic are in tablet or tincture (liquid) form. Other options include making a tea out of raw herbs, or taking a granule formula made of ground up herbs.
Herbal formulas address the root cause of an individual's health condition. Practitioners use diagnostic techniques like pulse and tongue examination, and gather a comprehensive view of the patient’s health to determine the nature of the imbalance in the body. Once this is understood, herbal supplements may be prescribed.
Dietary Counseling
Food as medicine is deeply ingrained in Chinese culture.
There are aspects of this that we as Americans are familiar with as well, such as chicken noodle soup when you are sick. It is important to take season and climate into consideration when making food choices so that you use your body’s resources instead of going against them. For example, very cold foods are hard on the digestive fire, so you only want to consume them in the middle of the day when the temperature outside is at its peak and your body is most awake and thus warm.
Unlike a lot of Western style dieting advice, at Common Ground Wellness, we start by having clients add in certain food items before advising them to cut other foods out. In addition, we offer a food based cleanse twice a year, in the spring and fall, to spend more time learning about healthy eating habits and getting recipe ideas to incorporate into your daily life that are sustainable and not a crash course diet. See our 10-day Cleanse Course.
Massage
Common Ground offers numerous types of massage therapy. Our massage therapist, Paige Waggoner Clark, is a highly skilled professional with many years of experience working with the body. She offers unique techniques that are highly therapeutic, as well as relaxing. A brief description of the different options, available below, will help you determine which style best fits your needs. If you still have questions, please reach out, as we will be able to guide you on what will be most beneficial for your body.
Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy®
The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® (ATMAT) is an external massage technique that guides internal abdominal organs into their proper position (with a focus on aligning the uterus) for optimum health and well-being. Maya massage improves organ function by releasing physical and emotional congestion from the abdomen. This improves the flow of the circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems to prevent symptoms that can lead to chronic disease.
What types of symptoms may be addressed by ATMAT?
ATMAT involves the entire abdomen and pelvis to help improve:
Urinary leakage (incontinence), frequent urinary tract infections, urinary urgency and frequency
Bony pelvic and hip pain including postpartum, post cesarean and post gynecological surgery
Lower back pain
Fertility challenges
Constipation, sluggish digestion, bloating
Pelvic heaviness/fullness, cystocele, rectocele, pelvic organ prolapse
Endometriosis, heavy periods
Painful menstrual periods, PMS
Thai Massage
Thai massage is a traditional form of bodywork practiced fully-clothed on a cotton floor mat.
Deeply relaxing, it incorporates gentle stretches and rocking movements as well as acupressure and soft tissue compression. Good for lengthening muscles, lubricating joints, stimulating the lymphatic system, it is deeply relaxing. It is adaptable for all body types and is excellent for pregnancy and postpartum.
Therapeutic Table Massage
Therapeutic table massage is a Swedish style massage, familiar to most people.
Suitable for anyone, table massage promotes deep relaxation, improve circulation of blood and lymph, and increases homeostasis in the body. Paige uses an intuitive style of table massage combining traditional massage techniques including elements of Thai, Mayan, and Swedish massage. This style can also be adapted for pregnant clients in the form of Prenatal Massage.
Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing ® (SE) is a naturalistic approach to the resolution and healing of trauma developed by Dr. Peter Levine.
The development of the technique was inspired by the observation that wild prey animals, though threatened routinely, are rarely traumatized. Animals in the wild utilize innate mechanisms to regulate and discharge the high levels of energy arousal associated with defensive survival behaviors. These mechanisms provide animals with a built-in “immunity’’ to trauma that enables them to return to a normal state following highly ‘’charged’’ life-threatening experiences.
SE employs awareness of body sensation to help people “renegotiate” and heal rather than relive or re-enact trauma. Through guidance of the bodily “felt sense,” highly aroused survival energies are safely experienced and gradually discharged. SE may employ touch in support of the renegotiation process. SE “titrates” experience (breaks down into small, incremental steps), rather than evoking catharsis – which can overwhelm the regulatory mechanisms of the organism. SE can result in a number of benefits to you, such as relief of traumatic stress symptoms, increased resiliency, and resourcefulness. You can read more about SE at traumahealing.org.
LED Light Therapy
Common Ground Wellness is now offering award-winning Celluma LED Light Therapy treatments as an add on to your acupuncture sessions! Originally discovered and backed by NASA, Celluma utilizes a combination of red, blue, and near-infrared light therapy to target anti-aging, acne, pain and more. It’s specific wavelengths are well researched and scientifically proven to improve cellular health by accelerating the repair and replenishment of compromised tissue cells to produce therapeutic benefits.
Celluma body treatment is FDA cleared to treat the following:
Arthritic Pain
Fine lines and Wrinkles
Muscle Spasms
Muscle and Joint Pain/Stiffness
Inflammatory Acne Vulgaris (kill acne-causing bacteria)
Diminished Local Circulation
Celluma LED Light Therapy Benefits:
Boost positive energy
Increase Circulation
Improve skin tone, texture and clarity
Boost Collagen Production
Speed post-surgery or post-workout recovery
Enhance Immune Response
