Treatment Techniques
Chinese Medicine is an ancient practice which dates back thousands of years. It is based on the idea of moving the vital life force, known as Qi, within the body. Qi runs throughout our bodies and is accessible for treatment along pathways called meridians.
Each meridian is affiliated with a nature-based element, specifically, Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, or Metal.
Qi influences and controls all activities in the body, including physical, mental, and emotional. If the flow of Qi is imbalanced, insufficient, or interrupted by external pathogens or trauma of any kind, sickness and disharmony can occur. Treatment techniques used in our Five Element Pediatric treatments are Acupuncture, Acupressure, Meridian Therapy, and Tui na.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the ancient technique of inserting very thin needles into specific points along the meridians to promote healing and balance the body’s Qi. Meridians and points for a treatment are based in the patient’s elemental diagnosis. Each acupuncture point has a function to direct the Qi at the point and connect with other points used in a treatment. The points selected for a treatment form a pattern for a specific intention in the patient’s need for healing and health.
Acupressure
Acupressure is used in place of needles on points along the meridians selected elementally. Gentle pressure is applied with the Practitioner’s fingers to the points. This technique is used on younger children, usually age ten or under along with Meridian Therapy and Tui na. As with Acupuncture, specific points are selected for a treatment to provide healing and health based on the patient’s need.
Meridian Therapy
Meridian Therapy is used in conjunction with Acupressure and Tui na to engage with the Qi flow to bring balance and harmony for health and healing. Meridians selected for each patient are based on their Elemental diagnosis, Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal, to bring specific healing for the patient. Gentle strokes are performed with the fingers on the selected meridians, using locations on the legs from the feet to the knees and on the arms from the elbows to the hands. This opens the meridian Qi flow to relax the patient and allow a better connection to the points used for treatment.
Tui na
Tui na, Chinese Medical Massage, is used in conjunction with Acupressure and Meridian Therapy on younger children. The name comes from two of the actions: tui means “to push” and na means “to lift and squeeze.” It is a traditional Chinese medical hands-on practice using brushing, kneading, and rolling movements to connect with the Qi. The movement helps the patient to feel relaxed and have a sense of well-being.
It also integrates the entire treatment to better facilitate health and healing for the pediatric patient.