TCM Clinic Treatment Descriptions

Treatments at the PCU College Holistic Healing Centre consist of both a professional Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic and internship clinics that offer traditional Chinese herbal treatment, acupuncture/moxibustion treatment, massage, and spa therapy services to the public.

This list of descriptions will help you understand more about the types of treatments you may receive at PCU College Holistic Healing Centre.

Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment

Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medical therapy involving the insertion of stainless steel filiform acupuncture needles into the skin at specific points on the body to achieve a therapeutic effect. The needles are fine, flexible and rounded but sharp at the tip. Their design allows the needle to slide smoothly through tissues, making them less likely to cause damage to underlying tissues. A dull, heavy or achy feeling often occurs when the needles are correctly placed. This is referred to as “gaining qi”. The needles are usually left in place for 15-30 minutes, and the practitioner may manipulate the needles to strengthen or reduce the flow of Qi.

Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a Traditional Chinese Medical therapy that involves burning moxa (mugwort herb ground into fluff). One method involves igniting a small cone-shaped amount of moxa on an acupuncture point. The moxa cone may be placed directly on the skin or on a variety of base materials chosen based on the patient’s condition, including fresh ginger, garlic, salt or other herbs. Moxibustion can also be applied by lighting one end of a moxa stick, roughly the size and shape of a cigar, and holding it close to the area being treated for several minutes. It is also commonly used in combination with acupuncture needles where a small amount of moxa is attached to the handle of the needle and ignited, generating heat to the point and the surrounding area.

Depending on the condition being treated, acupuncture or moxibustion treatment may include the following:

Auricular Acupuncture (Ear Seeds)
Auricular acupuncture utilizes the micro system of the ear, in which every part of the body is represented in an aspect of the ear. Conditions of the body can be treated by affixing seeds to the skin of the ear over the specific points required for treatment. The patient is then instructed on a routine of applying pressure to the seeds while they are in place. Ear seeds are usually left in place for 2-5 days depending on the condition.

Bloodletting
Bloodletting involves a controlled puncturing of the skin using a sterile stainless steel lancet to allow a small amount of blood to be released and force circulation in a desired location.

Cupping
Cupping is performed by creating a vacuum between a glass or plastic cup and the patient’s skin. This technique causes extravasation of blood from the small surface blood vessels and may result in temporary blemishing on the skin’s surface. The blemishing does not involve blood vessel rupture as in bruising and although the marks on the skin look painful, they are not. The colour of the blemishing varies from dark-blue-black to light pink and usually fades in 2-5 days. Cupping is occasionally performed in combination with bloodletting techniques to treat specific conditions.

Electro-Acupuncture
Electro-Acupuncture involves electrically stimulating inserted needles with various frequencies and voltages by connecting the acupuncture needle to a battery-powered machine.

Gua Sha
Gua Sha is an ancient medical treatment that involves repeatedly applying pressured strokes over lubricated skin with a smooth edged object (typically made of ceramic or buffalo horn). The smooth edge is pressed firmly against the pre-oiled skin surface and along the surface of the skin following the muscles or meridian pathways.

This technique causes extravasation of blood from the small surface blood vessels and may result in temporary blemishing on the skin’s surface (Sha). Sha does not involve blood vessel rupture as in bruising and although the marks on the skin look painful, they are not. The colour of the Sha varies from dark-blue-black to light pink and usually fades in 2-5 days.

Tuina/Anmo
Tuina/Anmo is hands-on body treatment that utilizes stimulation of acupressure points along with various forms of motion, traction and massage to treat both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

Herbal Treatment

Traditional Chinese herbal treatment utilizes a vast array of natural ingredients to create a balanced formula that is tailored not only to suit a specific condition or disorder but also the inherent constitution of the patient. Treatments are based on classical formulas that have been used for thousands of years in combination with the extensive experience of the internship supervisors. Hundreds of natural ingredients are available in the PCU Holistic Healing Centre, allowing herbal formulas to be prepared on-site for the convenience of our patients.

Herbal treatment is available in both powder and raw herb form and patients will be given in depth instructions for preparation and consumption.

To find out about available treatments or to book an appointment at PCU College Holistic Healing Centre, call 604.451.9002. Please note that all clinic services are provided based on availability and appointment only.