Acupuncture:
Inserting fine needles along the meridians and into specific points called Acupoints. By stimulating Acupoints one can promote or subside circulation of Qi on a certain area of the body.
Acupressure and Massage Therapy:
By applying pressure along the meridians or on Acupoints, one can get the same results, as they will with acupuncture.
Electro Acupuncture:
By stimulating percutaneously inserted needles with weak alternating electrical current for therapeutic purposes, which enhances acupuncture therapy’s effectiveness.
Moxibustion and Heat Therapy:
Treats and prevents disease by applying heat to points along the meridians or certain area of the body. By warming the meridians one can also promote the movement of Qi. The material used for this type of therapy is made up of many herbs (i.e. mug wort) and it comes in a form of a cone or a stick.
Herbs:
Oriental herbal knowledge has accumulated in writing for thousands of years. Herbalists, by inspection of the patient, can create a formula with combination of different herbs or by using the traditional formulas, which can promote movement of Qi and bring harmony and balance back.
Since Qi and blood travel together through the whole body, they can affect each other in positive or a negative way. For instance, stagnation of blood can cause stagnation of Qi and vice versa; therefore, moving the stagnant blood one can move stagnant Qi.
The techniques described below also have the function of promoting the free flow of Qi and blood in the meridians:
Cupping:
Is a therapy in which a cup is attached to the skin surface, creating a vacuum and causing skin and superficial muscle layers drawn into and held in the cup. In some cases the cup may be moved while the suction of the skin is active, causing a regional pulling of skin and muscles.
Gua-Sha:
This type of therapy involves palpation and cutaneous stimulation where the skin is pressured in strokes by a smooth round edged instrument.
By causing local congestion, the underlying toxins in the muscle tissues are drawn up and brought out to the surface. By doing this, one can create a free flow of blood in muscle tissues. Eventually, all the toxins will be eliminated through sweating and urination.
Blood Letting:
Piercing a small vein or a specific point the body is a technique well known among acupuncturists. A few drops of blood being let out from one or more peripheral points by quickly stabbing (pricking) the skin with a needles is said to have a significant effect on promoting the flow of Qi and blood.