These ancient techniques can be combined with a Shiatsu treatment if appropriate. They are applied to bare skin, which may involve the removal of some clothing.
Cupping
This involves the placement of glass cups over specific acupoints or areas of the body to alleviate particular conditions. It can be used for many things, but in my practice I primarily use it (after discussion with the client) to help:
- shift deep muscle pain and tension, especially in the back, neck and shoulders
- stimulate energy in very debilitated clients, e.g. with ME (usually very short treatments)
- expel coughs/colds from the system.
One or more cups of varying sizes are attached using a flame to create a vacuum and can then be left static in one place for a time, or several can be quickly applied and removed in series to stimulate energy, or (after applying oil to the skin) they can be dragged across the surface of the skin.
When applied the flesh will bulge up into the cup (to a lesser of greater degree depending on the strength of application) and this will shift 'stagnation' and bring blood to the surface. This stimulates healing, moves toxins, and can help to alleviate pain and tension. Unfortunately it can also cause marking on the skin in the form of bruise-like rings or red scrapes depending on the strength of treatment and the client's sensitivity and condition. These usually fade quickly, but some clients (and their families) can find them alarming initially.
Cupping is not for everyone, and it's suitability must be discussed first. However, it can be extremely effective and can be used as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with Shiatsu.
"I feel like I've got a normal back!"
(Young male client with incredibly stiff, tense back and shoulder muscles who had a several cupping sessions)
Moxabustion
'Moxa' is a herb (mugwort) that is burnt near or on specific acupoints to take heat deeply into that point and stimulate the energy for a specific purpose. It is available loose, in 'cigar-like' sticks or as small, stick-on tabs that look a little like cigarette butts. It has been used for centuries in Oriental Medicine, and can be very effective. It has a very distinctive smell that some people like and some hate!I use it in combination with a Shiatsu treatment where appropriate, after discussion with the client.
- It can be good for pain that is helped by heat, and I have used it on tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, knee pain and many backpain conditions with success.
- It is also very useful and effective during the late stages of pregnancy to help turn a baby into the correct position for birth.
- In cases of great fatigue or weakness it can be useful in stimulating the body's energy.
- I have also used it to great affect with Reynaud's disease - a circulatory condition which leaves extremeties excrutiatingly cold and painful.
"My hands and feet do not go icy and white so quickly or easily as they used to - they have to be exposed to much more extreme cold and for much longer before they start to go."
(Female client with Reynaud's who I treated with Shiatsu regularly for some time, and combined with 'moxa' for a few treatments.)
Compresses
Oriental Medicine has a long tradition of using hot and cold compresses to alleviate different conditions. I personally only use hot ginger compresses, but I have found these to be incredibly effective in the alleviation of serious back pain in some cases. If the backpain is better for heat, I find that ginger compresses are much more effective than a hot water bottle ... but they are messy and impossible to apply on your own. In a clinic situation, I use them in conjunction with Shiatsu where appropiate.
I'm amazed I can walk without crutches"
(Young female client who had 3 treatments combining Shiatsu and ginger compresses, and continued daily compresses at home in between. She suffered serious disabling back pain for months after an accident. She continued to have on-going Shiatsu for some time to maintain her improvement).
