9 Amazing Benefits of Cupping Massage

What's Cupping?

Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get it for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage. Cupping is a safe, traditional treatment that helps resolve chronic muscle tightness and pain faster than massage therapy alone.

From Olympic athletes to pregnant pop-stars, people are rediscovering the benefits of cupping. Maybe you’ve even seen people at your gym or swimming pool with those tell-tale dark red circle marks on their backs and shoulders. It’s becoming more common for people to request cupping to relieve chronic muscle soreness. But did you know that cupping can be used to treat many other complaints?

1. Cupping stimulate the flow of fresh blood and increase  blood circulation

The suction from the cups increases circulation to the area where the cups are placed. The additional blood flow to that area can help relieve muscle tension and promote cell repair. Increasing circulation with cupping also helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

2. Cupping Massage helps remove toxin from your body

Yes, you do have organs that remove toxins from your blood. But the modern lifestyle overloads your body with toxins. Cupping gives your body a boost in releasing those toxins. Focused blood flow helps your body by flushing built-up toxins through the lymphatic system. (Your lymphatic system is responsible for eliminating your body’s toxins and waste.)

3. Cupping Massage reduces stress 

When your therapist glides the cups across your skin, your parasympathetic nervous system engages. This promotes deep relaxation to move through your entire body. (Your parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for slowing your heart rate, assisting in digestion, and increasing intestinal and gland activity.)

4. Cupping Massage reduce stretch marks and scars

Increased blood flow enables your body to dispose of toxins, restores lymphatic circulation, and helps remove edema (excess fluid), which helps reduce the appearance of scarring. Studies have shown the positive effects of cupping on stretch marks and scars even in areas that are far from the area where the cups are applied.

5. Cupping Massage improve varicose veins

Varicose veins look like bulging, bluish veins just under your skin, usually on legs and feet. They happen when the valves inside the vein aren’t working properly—the valves don’t effectively push the blood from the muscle back to the heart, so the blood congests and the veins twist and bulge. Cupping helps by bringing fresh blood flow and oxygen back to the problem areas. You’ll notice your varicose veins appear lighter after your first session, though it will take a series of cupping sessions for lasting results. 

6. Cupping clear congestion and help treat asthma

Congestion (the buildup of fluid or phlegm in your lungs) caused by a cold, bronchitis, or even asthma can be treated with cupping. The suction from cups breaks up and expels congestion. It brings oxygen rich blood and lymph toward your lungs and your other respiratory muscles. Cups are usually placed on your back, but may be placed on your chest as well. Your therapist may leave the cups in place, or may gently glide them in an upward motion to facilitate the movement of the lymph fluid. Facial cupping can also be used to help unblock your sinuses.

7. Cupping Massage helps digestion disorder

Cupping helps to engage the parasympathetic nervous system, which increases blood flow to the digestive tract. Gentle cupping over the abdomen also stimulates the insides of your digestive organs. It aids in peristalsis (contractions that push food through your digestive tract), helps clear colon blockages, encourages blood and body-fluid to move through your organs, and helps relieve indigestion.

8. A Way of Relaxation

Cupping Massage acts as a form of massage that provides relaxation. The energy and blood flow created due to cupping massage is a great form of relaxation.  

9. Faster healing and help boost immune function

Cupping Massage remove toxin from the body and stimulate  the flow of fresh blood  lymph to the affected area and throughout the body and faster the healing process.There's really no downside to trying alternative practices like cupping massage, since studies show they can help boost immune function and speed up healing  process without the use of any medications or even herbs.

Wondering if cupping could work for you?

Give us a call or ask your therapist during your next acupuncture or massage session. Our therapists have been trained and certified in safe and effective cupping techniques. You can choose to have a cupping-only session, or add cupping on to your therapeutic massage or acupuncture treatment.

Book online with our licensed therapists  or call 416-800-3978 to set up the appointments.

3 Common Acupuncture or Acupressure Points for Tinnitus ( Ringing in the ears )

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine provide relief for patients with tinnitus. Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital researchers conclude that acupuncture plus topical herbal medicine reduces the severity of tinnitus with a total effective rate of 93.5%

Acupressure can reduce tinnitus symptoms by applying pressure to specific points on the body. The following are the commonly used acupressure points for tinnitus that you can do on your own. Some of the pressure points are hard to press with your fingers, you can use acupressure probe.

Tinggong (SI19)

Tinggong can be used to relieve excessive ear pain, irregular ear discharge and tinnitus. It is located in the hollow directly in front of the ear. Press it lightly with your forefinger and applying pressure using small circular motions for 1 to 2 minutes with your mouth open.

Ermen (SJ21)

Ermen can be used to reduce discharge of pus from the ear, earache and tinnitus ringing and buzzing. It is located directly above the Tinggong point. Press it lightly with your forefinger and applying pressure using small circular motions for 1 to 2 minutes with your mouth open.

Tinghui (GB2)

Tinghui can be used to relieve excessive itching in the ear and tinnitus. It is located directly below the Tinggong point. Press it lightly with your forefinger and applying pressure using small circular motions for 1 to 2 minutes with your mouth open.

Celebrities Love Acupuncture and how acupuncture works

Everywhere you turn; there are stories about celebrities getting acupuncture.  

New Duchess of sussex Meghan is a fan of alternative medicine, and revealed that she also has acupuncture in a bid to ease the debilitating migraines she used to suffer with. "I have been a longtime believer in acupuncture and cupping," she told The Chalkboard. "I used to have debilitating migraines (hospitalised for them), and acupuncture and Eastern medicine absolute changed my life. Migraine-free living is a game changer."

Supermodel, Elle Macpherson, recently said in an interview with UK tabloid, News of the World, "I have acupuncture regularly and I see a Chinese doctor who treats most common ailments with herbs." 

When asked how she maintained her health and well being, Elle answered, "I do choose to look after my body from a Chinese medicine perspective, which promotes and maintains wellness rather than treats illness."

Elle is not the only celebrity that seems to have become "star-struck" with this traditional form of health care that is touted as being able to treat everything from anxiety to a torn rotator cuff.  Gwyneth Paltrow, a longtime advocate of the benefits of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, once said that having acupuncture had guided her to a "new level" in life, helping her to find love with her husband and giving her the strength to cope with the death of her father. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Gwyneth Paltrow said, "I have been a big fan of Chinese medicine for a long time because it works."

So what other celebrities are up for being a voluntary pin-cushion?  Dr. Maoshing Ni, an acupuncturist in Santa Monica lists Jim Carrey and Helen Hunt as two of his many famous clients.  In a testimonial, Jim Carrey said "Undergoing acupuncture treatments with Dr. Mao at his acupuncture clinic and following his nutritional advice has led to a marked change in my physical vitality and my general state of well-being."

Celebrities have embraced acupuncture so whole-heartedly that they even schedule regular acupuncture treatments for their pets.  Sarah Michelle Gellar of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame, has been spotted in Los Angeles taking her pampered pooch, Tyson, in for his acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture is becoming more and more respected by conventional medicine, so much so that there were acupuncturists on-site for the athletes at both the Summer and Winter Olympics.

From blogs.wsj.com - September 23, 2015 5:23 AM

VIERZON, France—The mere mention of one of Vincenzo Nibali’s secrets 

on his way to victory at the Tour de France on Sunday is enough to make 

any cycling fan nervous: Needles on the bus. Almost every day.

But these aren’t the kind of needles that have dented cycling’s credibility

 for decades. When Team Astana uses them to treat Nibali, nothing is injected, 

nothing is extracted.

We’re talking about acupuncture.

“It’s those little extra details that can help us,” Nibali said when he was asked 

about the treatment by a Belgian television station.

 “Maybe now others will also use this technique.”

Celine Dion's pregnancy with twins was the result of her six in-vitro fertilization attempt. After five times in-vitro fertilization failed,she turned to acupuncture therapy to improve her chances to getting pregnant.

How acupuncture works

 Is there any evidence to back up this rapid growth in the popularity of acupuncture?  Besides the 2000 years of clinical evidence, there are a multitude of studies to substantiate that acupuncture has a measurable affect on the body.  One study on how acupuncture works to relieve pain, published in the Journal of NeuroImage, used brain imaging technology to prove that acupuncture affects the brain's long-term ability to regulate pain.  In the study, researchers were able to show that acupuncture increased the binding availability to opioid receptors in the brain in much the same way that opioid painkillers, such as morphine, codeine and other medications, are thought to work 

The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have declared acupuncture effective for more than 200 other conditions including, respiratory, eye and mouth, gastro-intestinal, neurological and muscular disorders. Because of acupuncture's ability to speed the healing process, bring down swelling and inflammation, relieve pain, and help to restore normal range of motion, it is especially effective at treating musculo-skeletal disorders.  

"The purpose of acupuncture is to trigger your body's innate ability to self heal. " Say our licensed acupuncturists at Oriental Acupuncture Clinic Scarborough 

"When someone comes in for treatment, we take all of their symptoms into account and aim at balancing the energy within the body to optimize health.  Treatments are tailored for the individual.  That is why it is important to talk with an acupuncturist to see how acupuncture will be able to help your specific and unique case."

Both female and male acupuncturists are available at Oriental Acupuncture Clinic

Call Oriental Acupuncture Clinic today at 416-800-3978
to set up your first appointment!

Healing from the root, beyond treating symptoms.

So you can experience greater health and well-being!

【Case Report】A Woman with 17-Year History of Facial Paralysis Bell's Palsy Cured by Acupuncture

Case reported by Jarry Liu

A Woman with 17-Year History of Facial Paralysis has been cured by Acupuncture treatments.

 I got a new patient  told me that he is referred by a lady, who had Facial Paralysis or Bell's Palsy for 17 years totally recovered after 12 sessions acupuncture treatments. She has been so happy and grateful for that and refer her friends to come to see me. 

This lady is about 55 years old, in the last 17 years, she never stop trying different kind of treatments for her facial paralysis, including medication, physiotherapy, herbal also acupuncture, but nothing  working for her. 

Her right side eye and lips were dropped downward at the first time, it was worse when speaking or smiling. After 2 courses acupuncture treatments, her eye and lips back to normal.

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【病例】一位面瘫十七年的女病人被针灸治愈

一个新病人告诉我他是经一个朋友介绍来的，他的这个朋友面瘫17年之久，55岁女性患者，在过去十七年从没间断各种治疗：西药，草药，物理治疗甚至针灸治疗，皆未见效。最后是经过两个疗程的针灸治疗也就是总共十二次的针灸治疗，终于得到痊愈。她非常开心和感激，到处跟朋友介绍针灸治疗的神奇效果。原来她就是我几个月前的一个病人，要不是这个新病人提起她，我都已经忘记这个案例了，刚开始见到她时，她右边脸和嘴角是下垂的，特别是说话和笑的时候更为严重。最后经一个多月的针灸治疗达到了痊愈的效果。




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【Case Report】Lipoma Reduced after 8 sections acupuncture treatment

A 45 year-old lady got a horsebean size lipoma on her neck, which seemed growing fast. She was so worried, not sure what it was, so she came for Jarry's acupuncture treatment. After 8 sections treatment, the lipoma reduced to a soybean size, and after 2 more sections treatment, she said no more lipoma and continue the treatments for her other health condition.

Lipomas are masses of fat cells that grow together, forming a lump under your skin. Lipomas are usually small -- less than 2 inches in diameter -- and feel doughy or spongy to the touch. InTCM（Traditional Chinese Medicine） the cause of lipomas is due to a stagnation in your body's flow of qi - also referred to as "life force energy." You may experience pain if the lipoma is located near nerves or contains numerous blood vessels; however, most people experience little or no troublesome symptoms. Pain or cosmetic factors are the most common reasons for surgical removal.

Acupuncture treatments for lipomas may involve inserting needles around the lipoma or stimulation of the acupuncture point located along the spleen and liver meridians. The spleen and liver are common area of stagnating qi or energy congestion. This congestion can manifest as lipomas on your skin or cause other skin disorders as well as additional symptoms like fatigue, depression or anxiety. As such, acupuncture may help open energy blockages and help alleviate lipoma-related symptoms of pain or discomfort.

Considerations:

While acupuncture may provide some benefit for lipomas, you should not attempt to self-diagnose lipomas. A lipoma can resemble certain types of malignant or benign tumors. You should consult your doctor as soon as possible if you develop any swelling or lump on your body.

Book an Appointment with our Therapists online Now

Or Call Oriental Acupuncture Clinic today at 416-800-3978
to set up your first appointment!

Healing from the root, beyond treating symptoms.

So you can experience greater health and well-being!

The Benefits of Acupuncture for Fertility

Acupuncture is based on the theory that vital energy (or "qi," pronounced "chi") flows through the body along certain pathways. Acupuncturists try to balance this energy and restore health by stimulating specific points along the pathways with thin needles. Although it has been a staple of Chinese medicine for some 5,000 years, acupuncture has gained acceptance in the North American medical community only in the past few decades.

In 2002, a team of German researchers discovered that acupuncture significantly increased the odds of pregnancy among a group of 160 women who were undergoing IVF treatment. Forty-two percent of the women who received acupuncture got pregnant, compared to 26 percent of those who didn't receive the treatment. The researchers speculated that acupuncture helped increase blood flow to the uterus and relax the muscle tissue, giving the embryos a better chance of implanting.

                          
Other research does suggest that acupuncture is effective in reducing stress. Since stress has been shown to interfere with getting pregnant, it makes sense that reducing your stress through acupuncture could theoretically improve your odds of conceiving. Some women find acupuncture helpful to cope with the stress they feel about trying to conceive.

Acupuncture also help male infertility. 
For men, acupuncture can improve sperm motility(the strength with which the sperm swim), volume and concentration as well as increase libido.

A few studies have shown that regular treatments significantly improve sperm counts and motility . To be truly effective, though, acupuncture treatment would need to increase a man's sperm count over the threshold needed for conception — a minimum of 10 to 12 million moving sperm per ejaculate. And the men in these studies didn't get up to those levels.

However, new research shows that acupuncture can significantly improve the quality and health of sperm. In a study published in Fertility and Sterility in 2005, researchers analyzed sperm samples from men with infertility of unknown cause before and after acupuncture treatments. They found that acupuncture was associated with fewer structural defects in sperm and an increase in the number of normal sperm.

Acupuncture is a natural, safe and effective therapy for those who are facing fertility challenges and discomfort.  If you wish to minimize medications, acupuncture is an effective alternative and a great place to begin. This holistic treatment is both gentle and powerful in achieving results. We are committed to providing natural fertility solutions, and if necessary, we will support you through IUI and IVF treatments. What are the benefits of acupuncture for fertility? Increases the blood flow to the uterus, thickening the lining and supporting implantation Balances the endocrine system and reproductive hormones Lowers stress levels Regulates menstruation and ovulation Benefits male factor infertility Acupuncture may assist with treating some of the following fertility imbalances: Stress! Studies show that women with high stress levels are up to 93% less likely to conceive. Stress not only reduces blood flow to your reproductive organs, it can inhibit communication between your brain, pituitary and ovaries, creating a hormonal disconnect throughout your endocrine system. Acupuncture can help soothe your nervous system by releasing endorphins; thereby reversing the effects of stress and regulating hormones. Hormonal Imbalances Acupuncture helps to regulate hormonal imbalances by starting at the source; the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian-axis (HPOA), which is responsible for releasing the right hormones from your endocrine system in the appropriate amounts. Women faced with luteal phase defects, high FSH levels, low estrogen levels or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), especially benefit from this treatment. Male-Factor Infertility Men who are disadvantaged from reduced sperm count, or lack of sperm production can benefit from Traditional Chinese Medicine. Motility (how they swim), morphology (how they look) and amount (how many) can all gain from acupuncture, and in particular from herbal remedies and proper supplementation. By remedying the underlying imbalances and increasing blood flow, acupuncture may improve sperm count, motility and morphology after only a few months. If you fall into any of these following categories, you should seriously consider trying acupuncture: Elevated FSH Age related infertility Poor Ovarian Response Poor Egg Quality Hormone imbalances Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Anovulation Frequent Miscarriages Unexplained infertility Multiple Failed IUI/IVF Cycles

Book an Appointment with our Therapists online Now

Or Call Oriental Acupuncture Clinic today at 416-800-3978

to set up your first appointment!

Healing from the root, beyond treating symptoms.

So you can experience greater health and well-being!

With Jarry's 30+ years clinical experience, 

you will feel the difference.

10 Ways that Acupuncture can help Fertility

Acupuncture Cupping Massage Herbs for a GOODNIGHT SLEEP

Sleep disorders plague millions of Canadians and can be attributed to a variety of causes. Perhaps the main cause of insomnia and restless sleep is the whirlwind pace that most modern people live with day in and day out. Our society emphasizes ‘doing’ much more than ‘being’. From the perspective of acupuncture, the yin aspect of life is quite depleted for the average modern Canadian. In case you have never heard of yin and yang, these are the polar forces that are reflected in everything in the natural world. Yin is related to stillness, tranquility, and contemplation. Yang is related to movement, accomplishment, and function. We need yin and yang to be in balance within ourselves in order to experience true health and wellbeing. When we are yin deficient, we easily become restless, irritable, and excessively busy. Our ability to rest and restore is compromised, as we never seem to get a break from the constant activity in our minds and our lives.

This is one of the main dilemmas that we face in terms of experiencing deep states of continuous sleep. We have forgotten how to turn our minds off due to the frantic speed of everything around us and we have become yin deficient. The common word is stress, but there is a lot more to this picture than is implied. Another way to look at this is that the sympathetic nervous system is on overdrive. We are stuck in fight or flight mode, as we are trying to keep up with our hectic schedules and myriad responsibilities. We have excessive amounts of cortisol and adrenaline in our systems, which keep us feeling amped up and unable to rest. With the pattern of yin deficiency and a hyperactive sympathetic nervous system, we often feel too warm, excessively thirsty, dried out, and anxious. This pattern is extremely common in menopausal women. Due to the fact that we are in fight or flight, we sometimes can’t tell if we are tired. We often feel wired or manic. Yet other times a deep-seated exhaustion is felt that penetrates into our bones.

There are many other factors that contribute to insomnia, but this is the primary issue that many people are facing. Other potential inputs are nutritional imbalances, suppressed emotions, relationship troubles, hormonal imbalances, and energetic imbalances.

Let’s take a look at a few of the top natural treatment options for insomnia:

ACUPUNCTURE: All of the major organs of the body are related to specific kinds of insomnia. For instance, there is a liver/gall bladder insomnia in which one is kept awake strategizing, planning and scheduling their lives at night. This person often can’t turn their minds off unless they read or watch TV before bed. Likewise, there are kidney, heart, lung and spleen forms of insomnia that all have specific manifestations. Acupuncture is an excellent treatment option for insomnia, regardless of its etiology. For chronic insomnia, We generally recommend receiving acupuncture once or twice a week for 4-6 weeks, then we can assess for progress. 

Acupuncture helps to restore balance to the central nervous system and harmonize Qi, the functional energy that underlies our general state of health. Qi can either become stagnant, meaning that too much energy is locked up in a certain area or organ, or it can become deficient, meaning that there is not enough energy in an area or organ. Either pattern can cause insomnia and both are treatable with acupuncture.

Don't like needles check our TCM Herbal Formula for Insomnia or Cupping treatment for insomnia or Head Massage and our SOFT ACUPUNCTURE with no needles at all but works same as acupuncture for improving SLEEP , MOOD, ENERGY, IMMUNITY and more...Treat it from the root without any side effects. Call us @ 416-800-3978

Or Call Oriental Acupuncture Clinic today 

at 416-800-3978 to set up your first appointment!

Healing from the root, 

beyond treating symptoms.

So you can experience 

greater health and well-being!

Improve Liver Function by Acupuncture in Spring

Spring is the season of growth, regeneration, increased activity and new beginnings. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "the liver is connected to the spring qi" , and spring is a good time to nourish the liver and health care. 

During the season of spring, people experience many changes. Allergies, high blood pressure, headaches, sinus pain and congestion, anger, irritation and tendon problems are just some of the issues common to the spring months. Many of these problems can be attributed to increased wind in the environment. And while there is nothing that can be done about external wind, internal wind can be addressed and diminished using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the many modalities it incorporates.

In TCM, there are lots of correspondences and associations. Spring is the season of wood, the liver and the gallbladder. The liver is in charge of detoxification and keeping the energy or Qi flowing smoothly. The gallbladder governs decision making and controls the sinews of the body.

When the liver and gallbladder are not functioning properly, the Qi becomes blocked and disease can occur. Both the liver and gallbladder also help with digestion. But it frequently happens that repressed anger and excessive stress can lead to the development of gallstones.

To keep the liver and gallbladder working smoothly, things like acupuncture, herbal formulas, nutritional counseling, tai chi and qi gong are all recommended. Acupuncture utilizes over 300 different pressure points on the body to help keep it in alignment and free from disease. And there are specific points that can be used to help balance the body during the season of spring. Here are some of them:

1. Liver 3 (Tai Chong) – This point is located bilaterally on the top of the foot, in the depression about one thumb-breadth from the edge of the webbing between the first and second toes. This point can be used to decrease headaches, nasal congestion and depression.

2. Large Intestine 20 (Ying Xiang)– Found bilaterally on either side of the nose, in the nasolabial groove, level with the lower border of the nostril. This point is very effective for decreasing nasal pain and obstruction, as well as helping decrease rhinorrhea, also known as a runny nose. These symptoms are quite common with allergies that occur during spring.

3. Gallbladder 34(Yang Lin Quan) – This point is located bilaterally on the outer side of the lower leg, in the depression behind and below the head of the fibula. Gallbladder 34 is the influential point of the tendons and is used specifically for pain in the lower extremities. The tendons can freeze up during spring after they have been somewhat dormant during the winter months.

4. Liver 14 (QIMEN) – Located bilaterally on abdomen, directly below the nipple, four thumb-breadths from the midline, in the sixth intercostal space. Liver 14 promotes the smooth flow of liver Qi and benefits the digestive tract.

5. Urinary Bladder 18(Gan Shu） – This point is located bilaterally on either side of the spine, at the lower border of the ninth thoracic vertebra, about one and a half thumb-breadths from the spine. This point benefits both the liver and the gallbladder, smooths liver Qi and decreases anger and irritability.

Any of these points can be used alone or in conjunction with others. They can be manually stimulated using pressure from a finger or dull, rounded tool. But for best results, acupuncture is recommended. 

Don't like needles, call us at 416-800-3978 for "SOFT ACUPUNCTURE" which no needles needed.

Nourish the Liver in Spring and Prevent Allergies