Tatiana uses modern, plastic vacu-pressure cups which come in an assortment of sizes and allow her to apply the precise amount of pressure needed.

The better alternative

Acupuncture for Family, P.C.

Specialized Traditional Chinese Techniques

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a therapy involving the heating of mugwort herb or moxa over acupuncture points.  Depending on the patient’s needs, acupuncture needles may be heated using a compressed mugwort cigar, or special mugwort rolls may be placed directly on the skin.

Practitioners use moxa to warm regions and acupuncture points with the intention of stimulating circulation through the points and inducing a smoother flow of blood and qi. Scientific research has shown that mugwort acts as an emmenagogue, meaning that it stimulates blood-flow in the pelvic area and uterus.

Practitioners consider moxibustion to be especially effective in the treatment of chronic problems, "deficient conditions" (weakness), and gerontology. Bian Que (fl. circa 500 BC), one of the most famous semi-legendary doctors of Chinese antiquity and the first specialist in moxibustion, discussed the benefits of moxa over acupuncture in his classic work. He asserted that moxa could add new energy to the body and could treat both excess and deficient conditions. On the other hand, he advised against the use of acupuncture in an already deficient (weak) patient, on the grounds that needle manipulation would leak too much energy.

A huge classical work, Gao Huang Shu (膏肓俞), specialises solely in treatment indications for moxa on a single point ().

Given how crucial moxibustion is for certain conditions, we are surprised that many acupuncturists do not use moxa at all in their practice.  At Acupuncture for Family, it is firmly integrated into Tatiana’s treatments, and patients often prefer moxa in addition to needles because of its warming, comforting effects.

Gua Sha

Gua Sha is a massage-like technique that involves repeated pressured strokes over lubricated skin with a specialized spoon.  The smooth edge is placed against the pre-oiled skin surface, pressed down firmly, and then moved down the muscles or along the pathway of the acupuncture meridians, along the surface of the skin, with each stroke being about 4-6 inches long.  Some common indications of Gua Sha include:

· Reduce fever (the technique was used to treat cholera).

· Treat fatigue caused by exposure to heat (often used to treat heat-stroke)or cold.

· Cough and dyspnea: bronchitis, asthma, emphysema

· Treat muscle and tendon injuries.

· Push sluggish circulation, fibromyalgia

· Treat headache.

· Treat stiffness, pain, immobility

· Treat digestive disorders

· Treat urinary, gynecological disorders

· To assist with reactions to food poisoning.

 

Fire Cupping

Fire cupping is a method of applying acupressure by creating a vacuum next to the patient's skin. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) it involves placing glass or plastic cups on the skin with a vacuum. The therapy is used to relieve what is called "stagnation" in TCM terms, and is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as the common cold, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Cupping is also used to treat back, neck, shoulder, and other musculoskeletal pain.

These types of moxa rolls are applied directly to acupuncture points.

Dr. Gaidarenko’s practice goes beyond the staples of acupuncture and Chinese Herbology into other, specialized Traditional Chinese modalities whenever it benefits the patient