Brian Barlay, L.Ac.
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
Therapies
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is the primary method used for treating conditions. It involves the gentle insertion of very fine needles into the sites that relate to the problem being treated. The needle elicits a particular sensation that stimulates a complex neurochemical response in the brain that cascades down through the body to the body area and system needing help. As a point location instructor at an acupuncture school for over 10 years, I have a deep and refined knowledge of location and insertion of the needles.
I have incorporated techniques of trigger point therapies that can regulate muscle function, reduce inflammation, and increase circulation to specific localized areas of pain.
ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE
Electro-acupuncture involves the application of a gentle electrical stimulus directly to the acupuncture needles to enhance their effect. It is very effective for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain-related conditions and something I frequently employ in my treatments.
HERBS
Herbs provide a gentle, gradual approach to healing. Often the herbs provide deep nourishment to strengthen weakened organ systems or immune system health in a way that Western pharmaceuticals do not.
NON-INSERTION TECHNIQUES
I have developed several techniques to stimulate acupoints by touching and holding either gold or silver needles to the points without penetrating the skin. This was learned from study with Dr. Iwashina who developed the use of these non-insertion needles over the last 30 years. This technique is more gentle and suitable for children, people in a weakened condition, or people for which typical acupuncture stimulation is too strong. I often employ this technique diagnostically to test the appropriateness of an acupoint I am considering for standard acupuncture therapy. I also employ a Japanese technique called Shoni shin that involves gently rubbing areas of the body with small tools. This is mainly used for children because they tend to respond better to gentler therapies.
MOXABUSTION
Moxabustion is a gentle but penetrating warming technique that can be used to enhance blood circulation to a specific area of the body. It can also be used to have a more generalize restorative effect.
CUPPING
Cupping involves using a glass jar and suction to stimulate blood circulation I use a technique that involves applying a liniment and sliding the cups over a region of the body. In addition to stimulating circulation it can also be a helpful diagnostic tool to isolate where a problem is stemming from, particularly when pain area has spread to a larger region.
NON-INSERTION TECHNIQUES
I have developed several techniques to stimulate acupoints by touching and holding either gold or silver needles to the points without penetrating the skin. This was learned from study with Dr. Iwashina who developed the use of these non-insertion needles over the last 30 years. This technique is more gentle and suitable for children, people in a weakened condition, or people for which typical acupuncture stimulation is too strong. I often employ this technique diagnostically to test the appropriateness of an acupoint I am considering for standard acupuncture therapy. I also employ a Japanese technique called Shoni shin that involves gently rubbing areas of the body with small tools. This is mainly used for children because they tend to respond better to gentler therapies.