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About Acupuncture

One of the cornerstones of Traditional Oriental Medicine

Acupuncture involves the insertion of ultra-fine needles into the body at “acupoints” - locations on the body that have specific benefits in treating health problems. The locations and benefits have been mapped by the Chinese and other Asian cultures over a period of 2,500 years. In present times, acupuncture is fully integrated into the healthcare systems in East Asian countries. In China, for example, hospitals have their own acupuncture and herbology departments.
Receiving traditional acupuncture is very relaxing and rejuvenating for most people; if you have not had acupuncture before, you may be surprised by this. The placement of the needles is NOT like getting an injection. A typical acupuncture needle is 0.20 mm, which of course, is extremely small and fine – about twice the thickness of a human hair.
The insertion of the needle induces signalling at the cellular level. Acting like a re-set switch, this introduction brings about regulation of hormones and neurotransmitters, according to the body's own wisdom. If a person has been in pain, or 'out of balance', and then experiences the beginnings of regulation in this manner, it is a very pleasant feeling. Traditionally, this process is called 'regulating Qi and blood'.
Furthermore, Registered Acupuncturists apply ‘needle prescriptions’ according to traditional frameworks that are designed to benefit the individual’s whole being. This holistic approach not only addresses immediate concerns, but also supports an individual’s innate and unique constitution.

Like acupuncture, Frequency Specific Microcurrent, or FSM, is a gentle but profoundly effective treatment for many conditions. If you don't want needles, then FSM can be a stand-alone treatment.
The practitioner gathers information about your history and condition, and then selects frequencies that are specific to the problem and you. The frequencies are then applied by an extremely small current, at the level of the body's own micro-amperage. The current is so small that you don't feel anything, but significant enough to improve cellular functioning.
What is unique to FSM is that the current also delivers information to the cells via the frequencies to help correct cellular functioning. As Dr. McMakin, the re-discover of FSM says, "The frequencies work on cells like your key remote works to unlock your car door" - thereby helping the body to exit patterns of pain or dysfunction.

Auricular Therapy

Also known as 'ear acupressure', auricular therapy is often described as reflexology for the ear. Applying pressure on specific points causes a reflex action via the nerves to help restore balance. There are hundreds of points on the ear that represent a micro-system of the body.
By using the seeds of the vaccaria plant placed on surgical tape, continuous mild pressure can be exerted on the points to help correct pain or other problems. Auricular therapy can be used on its own, or as an adjunct to acupuncture or FSM. Typically, the ear seeds are kept in place for 1 to 3 days, with a break on the 4th day before reapplication.

Granular herbal extracts in a convenient powder or capsule form can be dispensed to you based on the findings of your assessment. This process uses the Traditional Oriental differential diagnosis method which takes into account the problem at hand and the background factors of a person’s constitution. The result is a more targeted and effective approach to taking herbs than simply using a single herb that is good for a certain problem. For example, the herb Schisandra chinensis has recently become known as a powerful adaptogenic or anti-stress herb, but a Traditional Oriental herbalist would not likely use it alone but in combination with other herbs, and would also not choose it at all for stress in certain presentations.
Laurina orders her herbal products only from companies that have rigorous quality control assurances in place, as well as ethical environmental sourcing.