There are two ways acupuncture can be talked about, from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) standpoint and from a Western medicine standpoint.

Acupuncture, following TCM, is looked at through your body's energy (qi) and the meridians through which it travels. These meridians run all over the body, like highways. When there is an imbalance in qi, that is when you get sick or feel pain. Acupuncture then, through the use of single-use sterile needles, stimulate specific points on the body to help move the energy. Thus, creating homeostasis or balance to let the body heal itself.

Western medicine focuses more on what is called the Gate Control Theory. By stimulating peripheral nerves with acupuncture needles we shut the "gate" on pain signals traveling through the spinal cord and thus to the brain. This also changes the neurotransmitters released in the brain and blood flow to the area involved in sensing pain and promoting healing.

When you book an acupuncture treatment, Dr. Hannah will begin the appointment by taking a detailed, comprehensive, health history. The health history will comprise of questions surrounding your presenting complaint and overall constitution (you can think of your constitution similarly to your immune system). Once all the information has been collected Dr. Hannah will create a treatment plan and, with your consent, insert the needles. After the needles are inserted, you will sit with them for about 25 minutes.

Chiropractic was called "a science of healing without drugs" by its founder, David Palmer. It is based on the idea that the body has a powerful self-healing ability and that there is a relationship between body structure and function that affects health. Chiropractic specifically focuses on the relationship between your spine and spinal cord. Your spinal cord is responsible for communicating all information from your brain down to your body and back up to your brain again, it is your spine's job to protect it.

When there are interferences in the nervous system this is when we experience pain, discomfort, tension, swelling, etc.. We call these interferences subluxations. Correcting subluxations (both within and outside of the spine) help remove nerve irritation, restore range of motion, and improve joint integrity. By correcting these subluxations through specific and gentle chiropractic adjustments the brain and body can better communicate and function at a higher level. The goal of the adjustment is to help facilitate your body's own healing mechanisms. The adjustment is not what heals your body; you do!

Dr. Hannah assesses for subluxations through a method called motion palpation. Motion palpation evaluates each joint's range of motion, particularly within the area of complaint/pain. Once the exam process is completed, Dr. Hannah will distribute the chiropractic adjustment. The most common method that Dr. Hannah uses is called Diversified Technique. This technique includes high velocity, low amplitude adjustments comprised of light to moderate pressure with the hands over the restricted joint until end range of motion is reached, followed by a quick thrust to the area to restore as much range of motion as possible - this is when you may hear the "popping" sound! However, not all bodies are the same and not all bodies will respond the same to this type of stimulation. Dr. Hannah is experienced with other various techniques that may work better for you and your body if hands on adjusting is not the right fit. It is Dr. Hannah's main focus to comprise an individualized treatment strategy that works best for you and your nervous system.

Cupping works by placing cups on the body by means of suction. The cups are often placed on areas of tension, tightness, or myofascial trigger points. They may be left stationary or they may be slid across a broad area of the body. The methodology of cupping is that the cups are causing highly localized capillary dilation. This dilation in turn results in capillary rupture. Because of the capillary rupture you often see marks left on the body after a cupping session. The marks are in fact not bruises because there is no injury done to the tissue itself, just the capillaries. It is due to the injury of these capillaries that the macrophages and other anti-inflammatory agents in your body are triggered to respond to that localized area. Thus, resulting in the benefits of pain relief, decreased inflammation and improved circulation.

Other than musculoskeletal pain complaints, cupping can be used to help treat asthma, cough, initial stages of colds and flus, painful menstruation and headaches.

Due to cupping's potentially abrasive appearance post treatment, please communicate to Dr. Hannah if the marks left are unwanted for any reason. Reasons may include an upcoming event or if they are in any way triggering. She is always happy to accommodate your unique needs and preferences.

Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization/Gua Sha utilizes small metal or jade tools and an avocado based massage oil to focus on reducing the symptoms brought on by "tight" or "knotty" spots within a muscle. These spots are known as myofascial trigger points. These trigger points are typically formed by muscle overuse or excess load due to any type of injury.

IASTM/Gua Sha involves using moderate pressure and light scraping motions over these points for about 10 minutes depending on patient needs. Similar to cupping, the goal of this therapy is to create capillary rupture to trigger a small inflammation response in the body to stimulate inflammatory cells to come in and clean out scar tissue and waste products from the area.

Due to IASTM/Gua Sha's potentially abrasive appearance post treatment, please communicate to Dr. Hannah if the marks left are unwanted for any reason. Reasons may include an upcoming event or if they are in any way triggering. She is always happy to accommodate your unique needs and preferences.