Shiatsu

Shiatsu is key to the foundation of the Laughing Buddha. It is a unique physical therapy intended to encourage our innate ability to heal ourselves.  It was established in Japan and is based on the same philosophy as acupuncture (however, needles are not used).  With Shiatsu, we approach the individual as a complete being and treat the physical, emotional and mental aspects of the person. 

The technical characteristics of Shiatsu include the stimulation of acupuncture points through pressure with thumbs, fingers, elbows and hands. This therapy also incorporates dynamic stretching, massage and manipulation of the joints and connective tissue.

Shiatsu is deeply relaxing and is able to treat many different physical and emotional imbalances.  We attempt to reach the root of a problem and alleviate the symptoms that it brings about.

Conditions that would benefit from Shiatsu:

• Stress
• Fatigue
• Depression and Anxiety
• Back pain
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Arthritis
• Insomnia
• Attention Deficit Disorders
• Constipation
• Irritability
• Poor digestion
• Headaches
• Menstrual irregularities
• Menopause

This is a list of possible conditions, but there are many more. If you are curious about something you are experiencing please don’t hesitate to inquire, as we may be able to help you.

*Shiatsu is practiced on a massage table or on a floor mat. The treatment is done with the patient wearing loose comfortable clothing and oils / lotions are not generally used.

Qi Gong

Qi (pronounced key or chee) means breath as well as energy, signifying the fundamental role breathing plays in conducting the energy of air into the human system. Gong means work, attainment and skill and suggests anything that entails time and energy to achieve. Therefore, Qi Gong can be translated as energy work or breath work. It allows the individual to develop and manage their own energy; this skill becomes invaluable when working towards remaining centered and strong amongst the ever changing quality of life.  It is an ancient Chinese practice that has roots in Buddhism, Taoism and ancient martial arts and is often referred to as an “Internal Martial Art” or “Soft Martial Art”.

As Qi Gong acts as a guardian and manager of a person’s energy, it corrects imbalances and alleviates the stress of daily life.  The practice takes the form of movement, breathing, silence and holding positions. It is very powerful and a tool which allows people to take their well-being into their own hands.  It benefits all systems of the body including; the nervous, circulatory, reproductive, endocrine and digestive systems.  It is also excellent for removing emotional stagnation and creating personal awareness.

We always incorporate it into our treatments and teach our patients practices that are suitable to their needs.

We also offer private and group lessons by request.

Meditation

Anger causes energy to rise
Joy causes energy to slow down
Grief causes energy to dissipate
Fear causes energy to scatter
Exhaustion causes energy to wither
Worry causes energy to stagnate

Neijing Suwen (second century BC)

When we are not aware of our emotions and allow them to govern us, we become ill.  Emotions are important as they act as indicators of whether or not we are in alignment with our desires, but are destructive when we become attached to them.
Becoming still and cultivating a quiet heart is how we overcome our addiction to our emotions (positive and negative).  Becoming still does not necessarily refer to physical stillness, as meditation can be carried out with movement, but to mental stillness. 

By becoming still the ego, with its agitation, evaporates.  When we cultivate this calmness we may approach the outside world and no longer become an effect of its struggle and chaos.  Through this approach we are able to serve ourselves and our community in a positive way.

Our commitment at the Laughing Buddha is to assist people in achieving stillness within their lives and removing emotional stagnation.  We impart meditative techniques to our patients when it is appropriate and teach ways in which one can incorporate meditation into their daily lives.

We also offer guided meditation to individuals and groups by request.

Nutrition and Lifestyle Coaching

"Food acts as a foundation medicine.  It is sometimes slower to take effect, but more profoundly affects all systems of the body. If diet is used correctly for prevention and treatment, other medicines are required less, if at all."

- Paul Pitchford, Healing with Whole Foods

"Your food shall be your medicine" - Hippocrates

Food is an unavoidable part of life; we need it to sustain ourselves and to stay alive.  Most of us enjoy eating and it is common not to put a lot of thought into what we put into our bodies. 

Food should be enjoyed, if not savored, but eating should be done with some level of mindfulness.  How we eat is a sign of how much respect we have for our body.  If we are interested in promoting health and peace of mind, how we eat should be part of the program.  Many may not realize how strong of an effect food has on our system; it has the potential to alter our hormones and brain chemistry.  Our diet can bring us great energy and clarity or can cause a sluggish, foggy system.  It all depends on our approach.

The tradition of Asian medicine uses food in most treatments of disease and disharmony.  We feel it is an integral part of the healing process and incorporate nutritional coaching into all of our treatments.  Using the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine, we are able to suggest diets that work to remedy and prevent symptoms specific to individual needs.

Our philosophy includes eating foods that are in harmony with the state of the individual’s body and adapting the diet as the body changes and rebalances.

Cupping

One of the most ancient medical practices, Cupping involves the placement of glass cups onto the body. The cups are applied with a suction created by heating the air inside of the cup.  The result is that the cup sticks to the body and creates a local area of low pressure, which causes the blood to gather under the cup near the surface of the body. 

From a western scientific perspective, cupping creates pressure in the local tissues by drawing blood to the surface from areas underneath. Through this process, fresh blood moves into the areas below the surface. The result is an immediate improvement of circulation in the affected area. It has been found that cupping affects the circulation 4 inches below the surface of the skin where the cups are applied. As a result, cupping can directly influence the health of the underlying tissues and internal organs.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body's subtle energy or "qi", always follows blood and vice versa. So, if we move the blood in a particular direction, we are also moving the "qi" energy. Therefore, cupping not only improves the circulation of blood but also of the "qi" energy. Nothing helps to unblock stuck energy and relax tight muscles faster and more deeply than cupping. Also, it is believed that cupping improves the function of the internal organs and is indicated for a whole array of digestive, respiratory or gynecological problems where stagnation of "qi" energy or blood is indicated. For example, if a patient is suffering from congestion in the lungs, cupping the back will often reduce the congestion substantially. Or, if a patient is suffering from abdominal cramps, cupping on the abdomen can bring immediate relief.

The general benefits of cupping are improved circulation, purification of blood, regulation of the autonomic nervous system and an overall cooling effect. In addition, cupping reduces pain and swelling and speeds the natural healing process in the specific areas of application. Cupping therapy is effective in the treatment of painful joints and muscles, digestive disorders, headaches, respiratory disorders, some skin conditions such as boils, eczema, etc., facial paralysis, weakness of the muscles, high blood pressure and common colds.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy in which the dried herb "mugwort" (artemisia vulgaris) is burned near the surface of the skin in order to trigger natural healing responses in the body. The use of moxibustion predates acupuncture, with records of the practice dating back many centuries B.C.

In Japan, scientists have found that the infrared radiation from burning mugwort is very similar to the natural infrared radiation in the human body. The result is that the heat from moxibustion penetrates deeply into the body, giving a warming effect which lasts for several days after the treatment. This kind of stimulation, at specific points on the body, can dramatically boost the immune system and trigger other profound effects, which include a reduction in blood coagulation time and an increase in adrenal activity.

In clinical practice, moxibustion lifts the spirits and is very effective for many types of mild depression or fatigue. For stiff or painful muscles and joints, Shiatsu combined with moxibustion is one of the best treatments available.

Rates

Our treatments are designed to meet the needs of the individual and will include a combination of our services. Shiatsu is an integral part of the treatment and we always provide our patients with Nutritional Coaching, Meditation techniques and Qi Gong exercises.

• Treatment: $75.00 ( 1 hour and 15 minutes)
• Package of 3: $200.00 (savings of $25.00)
• Senior / Student Rate: $60.00
• Senior / Student Package of 3: $160.00 (savings of $20.00)
• Individual Qi Gong Lesson: $20.00 (1 hour)

Group Qi Gong, Seminars and Meditations are available upon request and the pricing will be determined in accordance with the number of people attending.