Cupping: This is a special technique used to draw out stagnation. It works great on stubborn muscle knots, but can also be used for general pain, sluggish digestion, cysts, and other signs of excess. We will be using suction cupping rather than the fire method.

The cup is applied to an area and the skin is suctioned up. As unusual as it looks, it doesn't hurt. It feels tight and many people even say it is pleasurable.

The cup(s) is left on for 10-15 minutes and then removed. Sometimes an herbal oil or essential oil is placed on the skin over the area.

Cupping Marks: The more stagnation in the area, the darker the marks. You can expect to see circular marks that are a very light pink, up to a darker purple. They look like a bruise but are not. The area may be mildly tender, but is not painful.

Cupping marks stay visible anywhere from about 3-7 days, fading more with each day.

Gua Sha: This is a scraping method used to draw out stagnation, excess, and toxins. It works great on areas of excess type pain. A tool like a traditional water buffalo horn (shown) or a jade stone is used to gently scrape the skin over an area. It is usually done on the back, but can be done on other areas also. This would be a nice treatment to receive in conjunction with a cleansing fast.

The scraping creates redness and "sha" or darker splotchy areas that indicate toxin release. The quantity of sha and the deepness of color will vary depending on what is being released. Sometimes it looks like your back is covered in bruises, but it is not. It is not painful, however the area may be a little tender after the treatment. You should plan to rest and keep activity levels down for a couple of days.

Redness may last anywhere from about 1-7 days, fading more with each day.

Moxa Belly Bowl: Moxa is an herb that is burned above the skin at a specific location determined by the therapist. The herb is very nuturing. It warms and strengthens areas that are weak, deficient, damp, or cold.

Here, moxa is being burned in a special container placed on the abdomen. In this way it helps with digestive issues, weight loss, menstrual cramps and some other female issues, and increases energy.

Moxa has a somewhat strong smell that has been described as being similar to marijuana, however it does not have any of the same properties of that herb. If the smell of smoke bothers you, this may not be an appropriate treatment and we can do something else.

Moxa cones: This is another way of using moxa. As shown, the small moxa cones are placed on a meridian pathway to move Qi along the path in order to nurture the area and reduce pain.

The herb is burnt on a small cardboard base, so it doesn't actually touch or burn your skin. At first, nothing is felt. Then you feel a mild warmth, and as soon as it gets hot, you say "Hot" and the therapist immediately removes that cone.

After a moxa treatment many people report feeling more energetic, lighter, and like their energy field is expanded. Sometimes warm, pleasurable rushes of energy are felt. These effects may last anwhere from 1 - 4 days.

Acupressure: Little Shaolin is a non-needle clinic, however we do use acupressure which is a hands on manipulation of acupoints used in much the same way as acupuncture.

Acupressure is used to stimulate Qi in a certain ways and to open energetic pathways. It can be used for a large variety of ailments including headaches, pain, digestive issues, infertility, depression, and much more.

Acupressure may feel a bit sensational, so we do our best to adjust to your comfort level and make sure you feel great after your treatment.

Medical QiGong Energy Healing: This is the oldest form of Taoist Healing, upon which acupuncture is based. Energy healing is done both above the body in the energy field, and sometimes with a very light touch on the body as the therapist emits Qi to an area.

Medical QiGong Energy Healing can be used for almost all ailments, including physical, emotional, and spiritual reasons. Medical QiGong therapists spend years practicing meditation, QiGong and Tai Chi in their own personal lives. This is part of the experience they draw on in order to channel Qi to others, affecting the life force energy and opening it to draw on the healing energy of the universe.

This is a technique that is deeply connecting and caring. It is usually experienced as deeply pleasurable, healing, and opens you to insights about yourself and the spiritual reasons you are here.

Vibrational Tuning Forks: Tuning forks are used in your energy field and on your body. The tip is placed over specific acupoints to send a gentle vibration through the energy of that point. They are great for fibromyalgia, but can also be used for a large variety of reasons.

Most people report a deeply relaxing experience, often with a sense of being asleep but awake while experiencing internal visions of colors or other imagery.

If you like the subtlety of internal energetic transformation, this is a very nice treatment.

Chinese Medical Aromatherapy: Essentail oils are extremely concentrated herbs with prized medicinal value. They are used for many health issues and while they strongly address physical symptoms, they have a very special connection to the emotional level and can help to provide insight and resolution.

The oils are mainly used topically and by inhalation methods. It is very common to use them on specific acupoints and meridian pathways, or by their herbal properties as utilized in Chinese herbal medicine.

Many people become strongly connected to the essential oils so we do create blends that are available for purchase to use at home.

Auricular Therapy: This is reflexology for the ears. The therapist uses small beads made of either gold, silver, or special seeds. Auricular therapy is one of the most researched Oriental medicine treatments with documented results for more than 200 symptoms.

After a brief consultation, the therapist will create a bead plan for you, usually containing between 3-8 beads. You will get a nice ear massage, then a metal probe is used to locate the exact points within the ear that the beads will be placed. They stick on with tape and stay in between 1 to 7 days.

The beads do not break your skin. Sometimes they feel a little hot, but are generally not painful and usually sensation subsides right along with symptoms.

You do need to place a cotton ball in your ear to shower and also remember to gently rub the beads several times each day. At the appropriate time the beads can be peeled out and thrown away.

Taoist Nutrition: According to Chinese medicine, the number one reason for illness and disease is improper diet. When you want or need to improve your eating habits, we can help you do that by using whole organic foods.

We do not use extreme diets, promote eating meat or not, or over-utilize fasting and cleansing. A nutrition consultation can help to point out eating habits that contribute directly to physical symptoms you are experiencing.

Our main rule is that food must be highly enjoyable - and also healthy and beautiful to look at.

REFERRALS:

When your treatment would benefit from other resources, we make referrals for acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and special therapeutic massage.