What should I book?

Acupuncture/Massage Therapy

Key Differences:

  • Acupuncture is focused on balancing the body's energy, treating underlying internal imbalances, and addressing chronic conditions by stimulating specific points on the body. It works on both physical and emotional levels by restoring harmony in the body's Qi, blood, Yin, and Yang.

  • Massage therapy is more focused on relieving physical tension, improving circulation, and providing immediate relaxation through the manipulation of muscles and soft tissues. It is excellent for addressing muscle pain, stiffness, stress relief, and improving flexibility.

When to Use Each:

  • Acupuncture is ideal for chronic pain, internal imbalances, emotional issues (like anxiety or depression), and conditions that involve Qi stagnation or deficiencies.

  • Massage therapy is great for acute muscle pain, stress relief, relaxation, improving flexibility, and treating soft tissue injuries.

In many cases, combining both treatments can be beneficial for overall health and well-being.

What is Acupuncture including?

TCM Acupuncture

Acupuncturist choose treatment and modalities from TCM diagnosis/assessment, discuss with you.

Needle acupuncture (must to have for instance use)

Moxibustion (TDP heat lamps)

TCM diet advises

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Fire cupping

Tuina massage

Blood letting

Guasha

Acupressure

Ear acupuncture (needles, ear seeds)

Electro-Acupuncture

etc

Massage Therapy

RMT choose treatment and modalities from assessment,

discuss with you.

Swedish relaxation massage (oil use massage)

Therapeutic massage

RAPID (non-oil, no massage)

TMJ intraoral therapy

Acupressure

Hot stone therapy

Cupping Therapy

  • dynamic silicone cupping

  • plastic cupping

etc

What is Massage Therapy including?

Ex: Shoulder pain first visit

recommend;Therapeutic Massage 60,90 mins, or/and initial Acupuncture 90mins/Acupuncture 60mins

Assessment and some physical tests (ROM etc):

  • Location (ex:Right shoulder, front, back, armpit, shoulder blade etc)

  • Onset (ex: since MVA happened, since yesterday etc)

  • Nerve numbness/radiation (ex: numb hands, fingers etc)

  • Duration (ex: constant, on and off etc)

  • Frequency (every day, sometimes, every night etc)

  • Intensity (ex: 1-10/10)

  • Character (ex: sharp pain, dull ache, muscle pain etc)

  • Aggravation (ex: when grab coffee mug, when wake up, after work, when extent arm etc)

  • Relieving factors (ex: stretching, self-massage, Advil etc)

  • Other doctors or healthcare providers (ex: Family doctor, physiotherapy, chiropractor, etc)

  • History (ex: had MVA and injured, slipped on ice, snowboard accident, etc)

  • Medication (ex: injection at Family DR., Advil, Tylenol, etc)

  • Other (ex: sitting and working as an accountant, using mouse all day, not able to sleep due to pain, etc)

Therapeutic Massage Therapy

discuss with client and decide goal, treatment locations, modalities(cupping, massage strength, RAPID, etc)

TCM Acupuncture

TCM diagnose: tongue diagnose, pulse diagnose, complexion, hair, skin, olfaction(smelling), Menstruation history for women, mental state, energy level, etc

discuss with patient and decide goal, treatment locations, needle points, modalities (Chinese herbal medicine, Fire cupping, etc)

After treatment

assessment and discuss about frequent treatment sessions, next visit, home care (other health care or family doctors, drinking water, exercise, meditation, sleeping habits, posture etc)

Contact Azusa for questions.


(403) 903-0072 (Text Only)

azusa.suzy.hirota@gmail.com