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Natural Awakenings Lehigh Valley

Traditional Chinese Therapy Brings Physical and Mental Benefits

Recently traditional Chinese therapies have been in the news since it was revealed that 33-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps employs cupping therapy to help recover from workouts. We asked Kim Ng, owner of Kim’s Healing Center, in Easton, about a few of the treatments she uses with her clients.

Tell us more about Cupping Therapy.

Cupping therapy, one of the oldest practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), involves heating the air inside small glass cups and placing the inverted cups on the body, usually the back. When cups cool, the suction cups can loosen muscles, boost blood flow, sedate the nervous system and treat high blood pressure. The cups are usually placed on the five meridian lines down the back. Once suctioned, the cups remain on the back for 10 minutes before removal. Any remaining marks left are not painful and last for a couple of days. The marks indicate that toxins have been removed from the deep tissue. More than 50 diseases or symptoms have been treated with cupping, which is believed to promote mental and physical relaxation and well-being.

We understand a major component of TCM is improving circulation. Are there other techniques beside cupping and acupressure to improve circulation?

Scraping therapy is used to release the body from blood stagnation, which is considered to be the cause of many diseases in TCM. When blood is not flowing properly, it starts to stagnate and create an environment more suitable for disease. The scraping technique released blockages in the body and qi circulation to help oxidize and nourish cells. Scraping has two main functions where it both nourishes and detoxifies: The stroking action forces more blood and oxygen to the area to nourish those cells and the red spots on the skin signal the body to sweep and eliminate dead blood cells and other toxins from the body. After treatment, the patient experiences immediate relief from pain, headache, fever, chills, cough, nausea, stiffness and more. Scraping treatments release enough toxins to allow the body to find inner balance.

What other therapies might help our readers with specific conditions?

Moxibustion, or smoking therapy, is a traditional Chinese therapy using moxa made from dried mugwort. In the U.S. practitioners generally hold a burning moxa stick that produces a penetrating heat, close to but not touching the surface of the skin. The moxa stick warms meridian points, stimulates circulation and qi to dispel certain pathogenic influences. Moxa is primarily used to treat a deficiency of “yang” energy and also helps injury or arthritis pain, fibromyalgia, digestive problems, shingles and gynecological or obstetrical conditions. It also protects against cold, flu, cancer, stroke and hypertension.

Tell us how Traditional Chinese Medicine differs from western medicine.

In our center, we offer a variety of ways to improve overall health and well-being. Our therapies follow traditional Chinese techniques that have been used for more than 5,000 years to treat rare diseases and everyday ailments. Our treatments focus to increase blood circulation to flush out toxins. The deep-tissue nature of our bodywork also aims to break up scar tissue for improved muscular flexibility and mobility.

Kim’s Healing Center is located at 1223 Butler St., Easton. Call 610-559-7280 for a consultation.