Laura Beltz

TCM is a medical system that has been practiced for over 5,000 years. The main focus of TCM is restoring balance to the human body. A Chinese medical practitioner uses the signs and symptoms a human body presents to determine what imbalance is taking place within that body to promote disease. The practitioner then uses the modalities of TCM to restore the body’s balance. In this way, TCM treats the root imbalance to stop the symptoms from occurring. In practice; we focus on acupuncture, moxibustion, tui na, gua sha, cupping, herbal therapy and diet therapy.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture is based on the theory that the body has an energy force running throughout it known as Qi (pronounced Chee). The Qi consists of all essential life activities including the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical aspects of life. Qi is composed of two parts, Yin and Yang. They are opposing forces that when balanced, work together. Any upset in the balance will result in disease. Yin is the more passive, feminine, cold, dark and moist aspect (magnetic); while Yang is the more active, male, warm, light and dry aspect (electric). nothing is completely one or the other, within Yin there is Yang and within Yang, there is the genesis of Yin. When your body has a deficiency in either Yin or Yang, the opposing force will appear in excess and symptoms result due to that imbalance. Likewise, symptoms can also result due to an excess in either Yin or Yang in your body.

Qi travels throughout the body along special pathways called meridians. When meridians become obstructed, deficient, excessive or misdirected, Yin and Yang are thrown out of balance. This causes illness. The channel obstruction may be caused by an exogenous factor (ie. a common cold) or an endogenous factor (ie. phlegm) caused by the dysfunction of one or more of the body’s organs. The acupuncture points are specific locations where the meridians come to the surface of the skin, and are easily accessible by needling. Accessing these points restores the even circulation of Qi and a balance between Yin and Yang.

What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?

Acupuncturists use thin, filiform (solid) needles that vary in length, width of shaft, and shape of head. There is nothing on the needles. The therapeutic effect of acupuncture is derived simply by the insertion of the needle. All needles used in practice are disposable. They are used once and discarded in accordance with medical biohazard regulations and guidelines. Points are needled either deep, shallow, perpendicular or anywhere in the range of 15 to 90 degrees relative to the skin surface, depending on the area being needled and the treatment. In most cases, a sensation felt by the patient is desired. This sensation is called de qi. It is often described as a deep, dull pressure, sometimes pulsing, warm or itchy. Often people feel movement or a buzzing throughout their body which is not painful. In some cases, especially for analgesia, very small electrical impulses are used through the acupuncture needle.

During the birth process a baby must face a number of stressful challenges on her journey into the world. Cranial Sacral Therapy can provide many beneficial results for the newborn.
Evidence suggests that the birth process for newborns holds a high degree of stress in the early months following birth. The bones of the head Are separate moving parts and designed perfectly to move and adjust as the baby moves through the birth canal.
A baby’s head is designed to be flexible and strong enough to push its way out under pressure. However, problems can occur when the cranial bones get twisted or compressed. And then they stay out of shape.
Pressure on the spinal column impacts cerebral spinal flow.
Therapists believe that this could result in disturbance of the nerves at the back of the head. With this, infants are unable to relax which leaves them feeling uncomfortable and unsettled (Fussy Baby Syndrome).
You can see how your baby may have discomfort in the gut area and could be communicating with you through crying and body language. A very small misalignment could be interfering in the baby who is experiencing colic.
The cranial system includes the skull and mandible, and the spine, sacrum, and tailbone, plus the membranes and fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord along with connective tissue.
Gentle hands-on techniques facilitate the unwinding or areas of compression and misalignment encouraging the release of stress associated with emotions.
Compression on the cranial sacral system impacts the limbic system. As a result, some emotional centers in the brain may be experiencing emotional stress. This impacts coping and behaviors skills. Cranial work is beneficial for infants, youth, and adults of all ages!

By allowing any sort of negative energy–be it thoughts, sensations, or emotions–about any event to thrive, we are actively choosing to give away our peace. Our peace is such a sacred human experience. Peace is not a place. It is not a product of the mind or the act of being thoughtless. Rather, peace is the sensation that follows when we witness the stillness and bliss within. It is unique to each and every one of us. It is precious and life changing. Our peace keeps us grounded. Our peace provides a sense of openness and it breathes compassion outwardly. By choosing worry and frustration over peace, we opt for a life where worry and frustration are perpetual.

By allowing any sort of negative energy–be it thoughts, sensations, or emotions–about any event to thrive, we are actively choosing to give away our peace. Our peace is such a sacred human experience. Peace is not a place. It is not a product of the mind or the act of being thoughtless. Rather, peace is the sensation that follows when we witness the stillness and bliss within. It is unique to each and every one of us. It is precious and life changing. Our peace keeps us grounded. Our peace provides a sense of openness and it breathes compassion outwardly. By choosing worry and frustration over peace, we opt for a life where worry and frustration are perpetual.

By allowing any sort of negative energy–be it thoughts, sensations, or emotions–about any event to thrive, we are actively choosing to give away our peace. Our peace is such a sacred human experience. Peace is not a place. It is not a product of the mind or the act of being thoughtless. Rather, peace is the sensation that follows when we witness the stillness and bliss within. It is unique to each and every one of us. It is precious and life changing. Our peace keeps us grounded. Our peace provides a sense of openness and it breathes compassion outwardly. By choosing worry and frustration over peace, we opt for a life where worry and frustration are perpetual.