Other Services

Digestive Health

Flow medicine clinic is the oriental medicine clinic focusing on your digestive health.
Did you know that your gut is your second brain, which influence mood and general wellbeing?

Did you know that your gut is your second brain, which influence mood and general wellbeing?
90% of human body’s total serotonin (Happy feeling hormone) is in the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Serotonin regulates moods, appetite and sleep as well as cognitive functions, including memory and learning.
Therefore, it’s fair to say “general wellbeing comes from healthy function of your digestive track!”

We have seen many cases where other symptoms disappear or improves as digestion gets better.

This is due to your powerhouse of the body (your gut) running smoothly enhancing the general metabolism of your body.

For further questions please do not hesitate to contact us

Pain Support

Most common pain conditions seen at Flow Medicine Clinic:

Neck & shoulder pain
Lower back pain
Sciatica (Hip & leg pain)
Headache & Migraines
Abdominal pain
Post Surgical pain & swelling

“The effectiveness of acupuncture analgesia has already been established in controlled clinical studies. Acupuncture analgesia works better than a placebo for most kinds of pain, and its effective rate in the treatment of chronic pain is comparable with that of morphine” (1996, WHO Acupuncture review & report)

The effectiveness of Acupuncture for pain relief is widely known and demand for acupuncture is high due to its effectiveness and popularity.

Our body is made up of complex web of channels (aka Meridians) that is like a traffic road, which delivers goods (Blood & Qi) to each part of our body. When the traffic is running smooth, your body is in balance but when there is an accident, the traffic piles up and your body notifies you by sending pain signals. This blockage can be due to many causes, for example Qi stagnation, blood deficiency or stagnations and etc.

Acupuncture therefore release the blockage by diverting or tonifying or reducing the flow according to the condition.

Acupuncture literally means to puncture with a needle and it is often combined with cupping, moxibustion (burning of dried herbs on top of the needle) or electro-acupuncture to enhance the treatment effect.

Cupping

Cupping is a therapy in which a cup is attached to the skin surface to cause laocal congestion.

Cupping is a therapy used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) dating back for thousands of years, also used in Egyptian and Middle Eastern cultures.

A cupping treatment involves placing cups on the skin to create suction over painful area, or along energy meridian to help facilitate the flow of energy (Qi), blood, and remove blockages.

People get it for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, support lymphatic drainage of fluids and toxins, blood flow, muscle relaxation and general well-bring.

FAQ

What type of cups and cupping techniques are used in Flow Acupuncture Clinic?

Traditionally and most commonly cups are made of glass for fire cupping, where fire is lit and inserted quickly inside the cup to draw out air, then cup is swiftly placed over skin to create suctions. At Flow Acupuncture, we use mainly air cupping, an alternative to fire cupping, a handheld suction pump is used to remove air from the cups, its suggested that this innovation in cupping technology is more comfortable for patients.

Dry and Wet Cupping.

Dry cupping is a suction-only method. (Most commonly used)
Wet cupping involves suction and controlled blood-letting method.

Stable and Moving cupping

Stable cupping is a stationary method where cups are left on the body during the treatment period.
Moving cupping is like having a massage, oil is applied onto the body with cups pushed along the meridian channels.

Why does it leave circular bruise-like marks on the skin and what does it mean?

The discoloration is due to broken or expanded blood vessels just beneath the skin when the suction cups lift up and stretch the soft tissue, much like a bruise, but usually painless. Depending on intensity of the suction and the level of blood and Qi blockages, toxin or dampness accumulate in your body, this circular marks may come out lighter or darker. According to TCM, this discoloration would be a favourable outcome, as it may suggest the treatment has successfully removed toxins and blockage of Qi and blood.

What to expect during a cupping treatment?

During a cupping treatment, around 4-10 cups will be cupped over selected area, either on the upper and lower back and shoulders or the site of pain. The cups are left on the body for anywhere from five to 20 minutes depending on the nature of the individual’s condition, and are removed by lifting one edge, to allows air in to breaks the seal and suction. Cupping is sometimes performed along with acupuncture. Any mild bruising or other marks usually go away after few days to up to 2 weeks of the session.

Are there reasons I should not get cupping?

Cupping therapy isn’t recommended for everyone.
Children under 4 years old are not suitable to receive cupping and also during pregnancy we avoid areas around the abdomen and lower back.
People with some medical condition. E.g. on blood-thinning medication.
Cupping should also avoided over areas on open-wounds, or skin ulcer

Moxibustion

Moxibustion (or moxa for short) is another traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves the application of heat resulting from the burning of mugwort, a small and spongy herb.

Moxa is beneficial by warming up the body which then opens up channels and blockages. As well as removing any residue remaining in the body.

At the flow acupuncture clinic, a special type of moxibustion is used called”Ontake warm bamboo technique” where the dried herb is put into a bamboo tube. This technique gives ample heat to the body with minimal discomfort.

FAQ

What is the purpose of using the moxa?

Moxa is used in conjunction with acupuncture, acupressure, cupping and Chinese herbal medicine. The purpose of moxa, as with most forms of traditional Chinese medicine, is to stimulate acupoints in order to promote the body’s ability to heal itself. The radiant heat produced by moxa penetrates deeply into the body, restoring the balance and flow of qi and maintain general health.

Heard moxa makes a lot of smoke and smell, is there any other form of moxa?

Yes, at flow clinic we mainly use smokeless moxa stick or cone with our treatment. Smokeless form has no smoke but will have tinge of moxa smell in the air.

Is moxibustion treatment suitable for everyone?

No, moxa is not suitable for everyone since it’s adding more heat to the body. Our experienced practitioner will discuss with you the use of moxa if necessary.