Skip to content

Acupuncture, Cupping & Gua Sha at
Integrated Complementary Healthcare Services

Dr Maria applying acupuncture needlesAcupuncture is a primary health care treatment modality that has flourished in China for over 3000 years. Its proven clinical effectiveness has been embraced throughout the world and has been gaining broader acceptance as a viable health care option. Acupuncture is a complex system of harmonizing the body’s flow of vital energy or qi.

How Does It Work?

Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals. A needle insertion activates structures under the skin which then sends signals to receptors that communicate with organ systems and the brain. Traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine complement each other and are frequently used synergistically for optimal health.

What Is Electroacupuncture and Is It Safe?

Electroacupuncture is a completely safe and effective treatment option that is especially useful for pain relief, stroke rehabilitation, and other neurological disorders. It involves the use of small electrical impulses administered through acupuncture needles. The amount of current used is adjusted to the patient’s level of comfort and is measured in microamperes at a frequency ranging from zero to 200 Hz.

What Are the Side Effects and Does Acupuncture Hurt?

One of the great advantages of acupuncture is the absence of serious side effects. Needles generally cause no bleeding upon entry or removal. The needles are sterile, disposable, and one-time use only.

The needle is very fine and flexible. It is about the diameter of a human hair. In the majority of cases, there is no discomfort and you may experience a sense of heaviness in the insertion site. A patient may also have a little bruising at the insertion site but is not common. We recommend that patients come fully hydrated and on a full stomach.

Cupping on back Cupping

This therapy involves the application of suction through the use of glass, plastic, silicone, or bamboo cups to specific acupuncture points on the body. Cupping stimulates the site of application by producing negative pressure on the body to help alleviate areas of pain and discomfort. Facial cupping is the use of a silicone cup on the face to increase blood flow, collagen synthesis, and tone to the structures of the face.

Gua Sha

This traditional East-Asian modality applies a scraping massage technique to an area of the body. This increases blood flow, relaxes tissues, and soothes muscles. Gua Sha is an effective treatment for pain, soft tissue injuries, and postherpetic neuralgia. Gua Sha is a safe method of intervention that should be utilized as an adjunct treatment approach.

Facial Gua Sha

Considered an effective anti-aging tool, facial gua sha increases blood flow, reduces swelling, minimizes puffy eyes, diminishes the appearance of wrinkles, and assists in collagen synthesis.

Book an Appointment

Contact Integrated Complementary Healthcare Services today to schedule a convenient appointment for acupuncture, cupping, and gua sha.
CONTACT US »


Acupuncture in Moosic PA | (570) 703-0755