Japanese Acupuncture
Gentle, safe, effective treatment
Japanese Meridian Therapy involves the use of a gentle and pain-free needle technique, which is minimally invasive compared with a traditional Chinese technique, or with intramuscular stimulation (IMS). As practitioners we use hara diagnosis--palpation of the abdomen and connective tissues to assess the inner workings of the body which reflect through the mesentery.
Gua Sha and Tui Na
Healing with the power of touch
"Gua sha" is the Mandarin translation for "scraping redness", a technique of releasing fascial tissue and creating minute tears in the tissue to stimulate local inflammation, blood flow and healing in an area of tightness. Most people find this provides great relief of their tension and soreness and speeds recovery from injury. "Tui Na" translates as "pushing-pulling" and is a vigorous style of massage for similar effect.
Chinese Fire Cupping
Detox and Renew
This often-requested technique feels like a pressure-valve release. It acts to increase blood flow like a deep tissue massage, but creates suction on the tissue instead of pressure. Cupping is often done on the back or large body areas. It works by using a flame to suction the glass to the skin, and gliding the cup along tight muscles with massage oil. Similar to gua sha, it feels very relaxing for most people but can leave petechiae, (i.e. tiny purple dots on the skin) for a few days. Opt for another treatment technique if it's swimsuit/wedding season and you don't want to look like you got a massage from an octopus!
Treatments contain a combination of any or all of the above therapies as your case requires. Acupuncture and related therapies are covered by most extended medical plans.
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Alix is working out of a new location at the Belmont Market location of Thetis Massage Therapy, and on Saturdays out of Fernwood Yoga Den/Maya Health Clinic. She is board certified by the CTCMA, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia. Direct billing available for most major medical plans.
Rates
Heat Therapy/Moxibustion
Nourishing your body
Feeling like your body is depleted? Moxibustion, or infrared heat therapy, will put your body at ease. Moxibustion is the practice of burning a herb, moxa, commonly known as mugwort in English or artemisia vulgaris in Latin. In Chinese medicine, this herb is burned over the acupoints to encourage blood flow, stimulate white blood cell production, or as we say, "move qi". In Chinese medicine the name for acupuncture is "zhen jiu", which translates as "needle-moxa". Basically, moxa is the vital second half to acupuncture treatment. It is very gentle, warming and nourishing, with the soothing sensation of an infra-red sauna but local to specific areas of pain or tension.
Initial (75 min)
45 Minute Treatment
60 Minute Treatment
Facial Rejuvenation
(10-session series recommended)
$125
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$80
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$100
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$125