There are a variety of ancillary modalities that may be integrated into a treatment session to enhance its therapeutic effects:

• Suction Cupping Therapy is a 2,500-year-old practice in which special heated glass cups or medical-grade silicone cups are placed on lubricated soft-tissue to increase blood flow to the area, while at the same time remove harmful substances and toxins from the body. Cupping is commonly used to relieve aches and pains, ease respiratory problems, mitigate coughs and wheezing, improve blood circulation and reduce menstrual symptoms. Cupping can leave bruises on the skin that can take a week or more to fade.
   
• Moxibustion (”Moxa”) is a form of heat therapy in which the Chinese herb mugwort is applied to certain acupuncture points to treat and prevent diseases. Clinically, it is an excellent tool for building strength and enhancing the immune system, warming muscles, calming digestive disorders, and relieving debilitating conditions such as chronic arthritic pain. Moxa is usually rolled into cigar-shaped “moxa stick”, lit, and held over specific areas of the body to improve the flow of Qi. Moxa can also be placed onto the handle of a stainless steel needle (“warm needle technique”) during an acupuncture treatment to enhance its therapeutic effects.
   
• Gua Sha is known as a therapeutic “scraping” technique in which a smooth-edged instrument (e.g., a piece of jade) is applied to lubricated soft-tissue using pressurized strokes to release toxins and promote healing of injured tissue. Modern research indicates Gua Sha produces a therapeutic anti-inflammatory and immune protection response, and is extremely effective for treating a variety of ailments from muscle aches to fevers to digestive complaints and gynecological disorders.