Acupressure Massage

Acupressure massage is a relaxing treatment comining the use of soothing Swedish massage strokes incorporating pressure on key acupuncture points using the thumbs, heels of the hands or knuckles to stimulate the circulation, ease muscle tension and increase vitality.  

Acupressure massage is an effective treatment on it’s own but can also be used in conjunction with acupuncture to relax tight muscles before having acupuncture.  It can also be used as an alternative to acupuncture to help ease general aches and pains from stress and anxiety, as well as more specific problems including lower back pain, neck and shoulder pain, lower back pain, hip pain, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, etc. 

Nicky often incoporates acupressure massage into her acupuncture treatments but it is also possible to book individual acupressure sessions.  Acupuncture and acupressure massage combined is both restorative and relaxing as a treatment.  

Moxa

Moxa, which comes from the herb Mugwort, is often used in conjunction with acupuncture to enhance the effect of the treatment. The dried herb, Moxa, is used to gently and safely warm the body, relax muscles and stimulate blood flow.  

When used with acupuncture, the heat of the burning moxa is conducted down the needles into the tissues which produces a much more powerful effect than the needles alone.

Moxa is very effective for joint conditions - it's lovely warming effect helping to ease knee pain, shoulder pain, hip & back pain, etc. It can be beneficial for certain types of arthritic pain, which improve with heat.

Cupping

Cupping is wonderful technique that provides numerous benefits. It involves placing glass or plastic jars on the skin and creating a vacuum, which raises the underlying tissue partway into the cup. The purpose of cupping is to relax muscles, stimulate blood flow to the affected area and reduce inflammation.  The cups may be held on for varying lengths of time or they may be moved around fleshy areas of the body where there may be tension or tightness.  Often the sensation of cupping is relaxing and soothing.