Gua Sha (刮痧) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) healing technique that involves scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool to intentionally create transient therapeutic petechiae called "sha."

Releases muscle tension and relieves pain by clearing Blood stagnation

Expels pathogens and toxins from the body

Regulates and strengthens organ function by stimulating related meridians

Improves immune function by promoting lymphatic circulation

Reduces inflammation and heat conditions

Addresses both acute issues (like colds or muscle strains) and chronic conditions

Auricular acupuncture is using the ear as a microsystem. Their are multiple microsystems in the body that an acupuncturist can use but the ear is one of the most common.

With auricular acupuncture we may needle specific points on the ear or stick a tiny seed (referred to as an ear seed) to the ear stimulating certain points. These ear seeds can be worn for several days extending treatment.

Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapeutic technique that applies physical pressure to specific points on the body, known as acupoints or pressure points. It's based on the same theoretical framework as acupuncture but uses finger pressure instead of needles.

Key aspects of acupressure include:

It works along the body's meridian system—the network of energy pathways that TCM identifies as connecting different parts of the body

Practitioners use fingers, thumbs, palms, elbows, or specialized tools to apply firm pressure to specific points

Each acupoint corresponds to particular organs, systems, or functions in the body

The pressure is believed to clear blockages in qi (vital energy) flow, helping to restore balance and health