Services     » Consultation     » Far-Infrared Sauna     » Ionic Foot Baths     » Colon Hydrotherapy     » Massage     » EAV     » Foot Reflexology     » Acupressure     » Appointment Fees Needle-Free Acupuncture Alternative Auricular and Magnetic Acupressure Therapy Auricular therapy/pressure, like acupressure, is a treatment by applying pressure generated by natural seeds, blunt-headed stick or finger tips to specific locations on the ear. What are the differences between Auricular/body pressure and Acupuncture? Auricular/body pressure has been shown effective in the treatment of a broad range of diseases and conditions like pain and muscular/skeletal disorders. It has several great advantages over body acupuncture. Auricular/body seed-induced pressure doesn't involve needles and is safe and simple. Because it is less painful than body acupuncture, it is well accepted by people with tendency to faint when receiving acupuncture. Most importantly, auricular/body pressure comes with quick and obvious results. In many cases, as the taped seeds stay on the auricular/body points for several days, they could produce long-lasting stimuli in the treatments of chronic diseases. How is Auricular/body Pressure Therapy performed at Pittsburgh Alternative Health? A therapy session usually consists of four elements: Examination, Therapy, Consultation and Teaching. Examination: An auricular inspection is conducted for discoloration, deformity, skin breakdown, or eminence on the ear, and then a detection probe is used to test the tenderness of the areas showing positive signs. EAV electro-dermal testing on major body acupuncture points will be given to test the status of meridians that may be involved in the disease, both for initial examination and for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the treatments during the following visits. A thorough history and review of systems is done to understand the full complexity of your concern and prioritize your therapy approach. Therapy Plan: A thoughtful therapy plan will be designed and revised after initial visit for each patient based on the information provided by the intake form and the examination tests. Pressure generated by a blunt-headed stick, nature seeds or magnet beads will be applied to the auricular and body points showing positive signs. The seeds usually would stay alternatively on each ear for 3-7 days. Magnetic acu-point application and duration will depend on symptoms and response. Consultation: Relevant suggestions regarding nutrition, lifestyle and simple exercises will be provided. Teaching: If long-term therapy is expected, mapping points involved and providing instruction on seeds application will be given. This allows the patient or family member to perform therapy by self after an effective therapy plan has been established. Patients are required to fill out the intake Form and submit it one week prior to first visit either by E-mail or by Fax for preview. Although there are differences between acute and chronic diseases, it is recommended and important and recommended to come once a week for at least three consecutive weeks to establish an effective individual treatment regimen. After the initial three-week package, depending on the nature of the diseases, patients may be required to have every other week or monthly follow-up visits so as to maintain the therapeutic effects. Why do we use Thera-Dot™ Acupuncture Magnets? The use of Thera-Dot neodymium acu-magnets is unique to the Pittsburgh area as much as we are aware. Thera-Dot magnets have 3 to 4 times more magnetic energy than standard acupuncture magnets and are rated at a very powerful 13,500 gauss for maximum effectiveness and fast-acting on acupuncture points. The maker of Thera-Dots report Acupuncturist's statements that Thera-dots transfer energy along meridians more efficiently and provide better results that other acupuncture magnets, and they note similar results to acupuncture without needles. What is the History of Auricular Therapy/Pressure? Auricular pressure is one kind of auricular therapy, which has a very long history in China. Auricular diagnosis and treatments, also referred to as ear acupuncture, were documented around 200 B.C. However, it was not formed as a scientific system until the early 1950's when a French doctor, Paul Nogier, was enlightened by the fact that the auricular therapy was very effective in treating sciatic pain. He further inferred and proposed that other parts of the ear must correspond to other parts of the body, oriented in an upside-down position like an inverted fetus in the ear, "the man in the ear" (Figures 1 & 2). Since then, auricular therapy has evolved from initial simple reflexive treatments to a powerful therapy that can both identify and treat specific body systems and functions that are in disharmony. Using a combination of Dr. Nogier's theory and traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese practitioners have developed Chinese auricular therapy according to the Chinese meridian theory. What are the possible Mechanisms of Auricular Therapy/Pressure? Homunculus/Delta Reflex Theories: These theories describe the relationship between the auricular points and their corresponding body parts as being similar to that of a key and its lock; that is, the "key" of auricular stimulation can open the "lock" of somatic response in the corresponding parts of the body via a homuncular reflex arc. The center of such a reflex arc is located in the brain or brainstem. The pathway of the reflex arc is triangular in shape among auricular points, corresponding body parts and the brain or brainstem, and the message transferred in the pathway is bi-directional. These theories actually have an anatomic base. There are plenty of subcutaneous nerves (including both spinal and cranial nerves), blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels in the auricle, connected with each other and at the same time connected to the whole body through the cranial and spinal networks. The network connections between the ear and the body were scientifically tested by the French doctor Paul Nogier in the 1950's, he noticed that there was a distinct change in the amplitude and dimension of the pulse when certain points in the auricle were stimulated. And the network connections were also tested by a Korean-American doctor M.H. Cho in the 1970's, who used an electric thermometer taped to auricular points and recorded 1-5.5 o C changes in temperature shortly after the parts of the body corresponding to the auricular points were stimulated by cold, heat or acupuncture. Chinese Meridian Theory: According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the meridians link the internal organs and the external tissues, turning the human body into an organic whole. The ancient Chinese realized there was an integral relationship between the meridians and the auricle as well. All of the meridians of the human body are directly connected with the ear and converge in the ear. Modern clinical investigations have provided evidence in support of the meridian theory by demonstrating that a phenomenon resembling meridian transmission may occur in a meridian-sensitive subject when auricular points are stimulated. Similar to the meridian theory for the body, there may be a specific system of energy pathways in the auricle consisting of neither vessels nor nerves. Pittsburgh Alternative Health Acupressure Treatment Options Initial Consultation and Acupressure Therapy Session - $75 (includes 45-60 minute evaluation, Bio-Meridian™ Evaluation, Acupressure therapy, and educational consultation) Follow-Up Acupressure Sessions (after Initial Consultation) - $40 (includes 20-30 minute evaluation, therapy, and educational consultation) Recommended 3 Session Initial Package - $150 (includes initial visit as described above AND 2 follow-up acupressure sessions) ADD ON THERAPIES TO ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE: 5-10 Minute Bio-Meridian Evaluation - $10 (includes measurement of selected acupuncture points on Follow-Up Sessions to evaluate therapy need and response) Thera-Dot Magnets - $3/each (magnet needs vary per treatment but usually limited to 2-5 magnets total- Recommended to save for future treatments) Chinese Herbal Formulations - Vary in price based on specific needs for balancing and support. Appointments available on Tuesday and Thursday evenings only with Dr. Wan Huang. Contact us today with questions or to make an appointment.