Traditional Acupuncture

Mario Gallina LA.C, CMTPT employs a multidisciplinary approach including the use of traditional techniques to achieve the best outcomes for his patients. Procedures he utilizes include acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, gua sha (fascia scraping), cupping, and tui na (traditional manual therapy).

Acupuncture and its related techniques have been serving as cornerstones in the realm of traditional and integrative medicine for centuries. Rooted in a philosophy that balances bodily energies, acupuncture is the artful placement of disposable, stainless steel needles at strategic points to encourage blood flow, relieve pain, and promote a calming effect. With a history spanning over two millennia, acupuncture remains a safe and widely accepted form of treatment when administered by licensed professionals, often integrated with contemporary healthcare modalities.

Emerging from this traditional framework are additional techniques like Electro-Acupuncture, Gua Sha, Tui-Na, and Cupping, each offering unique advantages in pain management and musculoskeletal care. Electro-acupuncture amplifies the benefits of classic acupuncture through the application of electrical pulses, primarily focusing on pain modulation and inflammation reduction. Gua Sha employs a scraping action on skin and fascia to improve local circulation, whereas Tui-na leverages massage and manual therapy to further enhance the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment. Cupping, widely noticed on high-profile athletes, utilizes suction to stimulate tissue and address various ailments ranging from sprains to chronic pain conditions.

As stand-alone treatments or used synergistically, these therapies offer a broad spectrum of benefits, targeting everything from chronic conditions to acute injuries and general well-being. Whether you’re new to these treatments or a long-time advocate, understanding these modalities can empower you to make informed healthcare choices, giving you access to a diverse toolkit for managing pain and promoting overall health.

Traditional Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a procedure that uses single use, stainless steel, disposable needles at specific locations on the body to promote tissue change, induce pain relief, increase blood flow, and/or help with calming of the body.

Acupuncture has been one of the longest standing medical modalities with literature documenting its existence some 2000 years ago. In the hands of a trained and licensed health care provider acupuncture is very safe with little to no side effects.

Acupuncture has a proven track record to help with a variety of conditions. It can be a stand alone treatment or incorporated with other modalities or techniques.

Electro-Acupuncture

Electro-acupuncture, or estim, is a safe and effective treatment solely used to modulate pain and reduce inflammation. It involves using an electrical device to generate electric pulses along an acupuncture needles to enhance the acupuncture stimulation.

Gua Sha (Fascia Scraping)

Gua sha is a safe and effective traditional Asian technique using a flat blunt instrument to apply pressure and to scrape along the skin and fascia in order to promote local circulation. This technique can be employed to relieve pain, improve range of motion, and assist in muscle recovery.

Tui-Na

Tui-na is a form of traditional manual therapy and massage that employs acupuncture locations and principles. It is often accompanied within an acupuncture session for the treatment of a specific condition.

Cupping

Cupping is a popular and effective technique used in modern sports medicine that has a long history of use in multiple cultures. It involves using suction cups to stretch and stimulate tissue in specific locations to treat a wide variety of pain and musculoskeletal conditions, sprains, and strains. The telltale red marks it temporarily leaves have been noticed on top athletes including Olympic champion swimmer Michael Phelps, top MMA fighter Conor McGregor, and many, many others.