Chris La Rosa

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October 29, 2018 By Chris

Japanese Acupuncture And Moxibustion For Cyclists and Runners With Knee Problems

The beautiful arrival of spring has come and our yearning to be outside, has reached a fervor. If you are hampered with a knee problem whether it be tendonitis,  bursitis, torn meniscus, arthritis or a Baker’s Cyst, I can help expedite your recovery, quickly.

Recently, Gabe Mirkin MD the founder of R.I.C. E., rest, ice, compression and elevation has spoken out on how inadequate this approach can be.

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, we know that long term icing can cause arthritis in the joint.

As practitioners of Chinese Medicine, it has been known for at least  3,000 years that  external cooling methods impede the flow of Qi and Blood.

Warming the area with moxa , topical herbal soaks and liniments has been the method of choice for martial artists for several millennia.

The nature of Yin is cool/cold and stillness. The nature of Yang is warm/hot and movement. A hot drink will warm us when we’re cold, which is an over abundance  of Yin. When we are overheated, we sweat through our pores, allowing the  excess heat or Yang energy to exit.

If we observe a corpse, it is stiff and cold. A live body is warm and full of Qi, it IS pliable.

Warming energy facilitates Qi flow, therefore improving circulation. After having needled specific points on and around the knee, I apply moxa, a plant material I burn on the skin or on the needle for various joint problems. This reduces inflammation,  improves mobility, hastens tissue repair and is great for water on the knee.

Please have a look at this video how to use stick-on moxa on the knee for simple and effective pain relief.

Filed Under: Blog, Japanese Acupuncture, Moxa

May 3, 2018 By Chris

Japanese Acupuncture

I am often asked how Japanese acupuncture differs from that used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and other styles.

There are four practices in which the Japanese method differs:

  • Japanese acupuncture uses thinner needles and shallower insertions, which results in more gain for less, or no pain.
  • Acupuncturists using the Japanese method palpate the abdomen. When I do this, I’m gathering information about the body’s organ systems, which enables me to adjust the treatment to fit the patient’s needs.
  • Japanese acupuncture makes extensive use of moxibustion to heighten the effectiveness of the acupuncture treatment. Moxa is a plant whose dried leaves are burned on needles or smouldered directly on the skin. The pleasant, therapeutic heat is a powerful tonic and improves circulation. I use seven different methodologies of moxibustion, depending on the patient’s complaint.
  • Japanese acupuncture does not limit treatment to a single point. For example, if a patient complains of back pain, I not only treat the appropriate points on the back, but will also treat appropriate areas all along the involved meridian(s).

Filed Under: Acupuncture, Blog, Japanese Acupuncture

January 9, 2018 By Chris La Rosa

Why I study the Classics, In Japanese

My teacher, Edward Obaidey, who has been practicing, writing a series of acupuncture books, and translating acupuncture texts, all while maintaining an extremely busy practice in Tokyo for the past 25 years, has been a great source of inspiration. He has instilled the “need” to study the major classics, to penetrate the essence of our art. The “need” was compulsory, this was a baptism by fire. I resisted and it was very difficult to grasp. Over time, my resistance faded and has morphed into a burning desire, pun intended! You see, out of 10,000 books extant about Chinese medicine, less than 1% have been translated into English. There are numerous texts that have been written and translated about this medicine but a picture is worth a 1,000 words. Literally speaking, Chinese and Japanese are logographic languages. Through these pictographs, meaning unfolds and speaks to us in a way that is greatly diminished when written in English. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Acupuncture, Blog, Japanese Acupuncture

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From the Blog …

Japanese Acupuncture And Moxibustion For Cyclists and Runners With Knee Problems

The beautiful arrival of spring has come and our yearning to be outside, has reached a fervor. If you are hampered with a knee problem whether it be tendonitis,  bursitis, … [Read More...]

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Contact Chris La Rosa

Phone: 720-435-8281 •
Email: chris@nullchrislarosaacupuncture.com

Address: 5717 Arapahoe Avenue,
Boulder, CO 80303

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Contact Chris: 720-435-8281    •    chris@chrislarosaacupuncture.com    •    5717 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, CO 80303