Balanced Body Integrated wellness

2569 W. Fullerton Ave.  Chicago, IL 60647   ph: 773-252-9740   fax: 773-252-9746 

CUPPING:

Cupping therapy involves the attachment of special glass cups onto specific parts of the body. Suction is created by briefly introducing a flame into the cup to create a vacuum immediately before application. The cups can be left in place for up to ten minutes. One should experience a warm, pulling, stretching sensation, not pain, and any marks that appear on the skin will fade within a week. Cupping is often integrated with acupuncture or massage to treat swelling and pain by promoting the expansion of blood vessels within the skin and muscles in areas such as the back, shoulders, and legs. This increases the circulation of blood and lymph within the joints, improves energy flow to the muscles and tendons and reduces local pressure on the vertebrae of the spine. Cupping also helps draw out and eliminate pathogenic factors from the superficial levels for colds, flu, cough and asthma as it opens the pores so pathogens can be released through the skin.

MOXIBUSTION:

Moxibustion is the name given to the burning of the herb Artemisia Vulgaris (Mugwort / Ai Ye) either on or above the skin to warm the meridians and expel cold, to induce the smooth flow of qi and blood, to strengthen the yang as well as tonify and prevent disease. There are many different techniques used in the application of moxibustion and each technique has a specific role to play in the overall treatment of one's condition.

Indirect moxibustion techniques which include the use of Moxa Boxes, burning of moxa within a ceramic temple that sits above  the acupuncture points of the body such as the lower back or abdomen; Stick moxa, a cigar like stick of moxa that is burned directly above the skin over specific points; and, Needle head moxa where small cylinders of moxa are placed on the head of the acupuncture needles so that the warmth penetrates deeply into the acupuncture point without burning the skin.