WELCOME TO CLOUD9at
THE SUNSHINE FACTORY
Community Acupuncture & Cupping Therapy Clinic🔅
… with optional add-on therapies such as; stretching/personalized yoga postures specifically tailored to your needs, use of the inversion table, Binaural Beats- sound therapy, massage and aromatherapy … MAGIC. ❤️
🔅 Cloud9 is best suited for those seeking treatment for overall wellness, mental health, acute conditions/pains/symptoms, and as maintenance treatment (i.e. as a supplement to regular private sessions).
Click here for more information on how acupuncture works. Click here to schedule a private session.
Visit the Class Schedule page to find out what days and times Cloud9 is taking place this week. ❤
“I went to the Cloud9 Clinic and I’m so glad I did !! I was in an Uber accident a couple weeks ago … my neck was achy, tense and I had a headache that lasted a few days. I told Kristen what areas hurt the most and she showed me yoga positions and stretches that I could do, and then massaged the area before she put the cups on. Cupping is better than any deep tissue massage you’ll ever experience! She also does ear acupuncture (auriculotherapy) which is so great for relaxing, and the needles are so small you don’t feel anything! Today I woke up feeling so relieved, and my neck is no longer tight or tense. I feel more relaxed and comfortable today than I have been over the last two weeks. I can’t believe people overlook this kind of therapy, and see massage therapists when acupuncture and cupping can help with pain so much more!! I recommend everyone to try her Cloud9 Clinic; it’s so inexpensive!!“ –
– Victoria R.
🔆🔆🔆SEPTEMBER’S CLOUD9 SPECIAL!!!🔆🔆🔆
$50 OFF a 10-PASS for CLOUD9*. USUALLY $200, NOW ONLY $150!!! (while supplies last!)
* (Expires 6 months from date of purchase.)
Click the PAY NOW button below, to purchase via PayPal.
🔆
“What relief! I have been going to the Cloud9 class for a few weeks to help with stress, and does it work!! Cloud9 is a nice place to go and escape. Once the effects of Auriculotherapy begins, let the relaxation begin! and say goodbye to stress. Fantastic!” – Scott W.
This is so much more than a yoga class; it is a personalized healing experience, tailored specifically for you. in a warm studio with mellow tunes and the option to choose healing therapies (auricular acupuncture, cupping therapy, Moxibustion (heat therapy)) and Binaural Beats/Sound Therapy (bring earphones if you’d like to listen to Binaural Beats which are specific to your treatment. Visit the Binaural Beats page for details.); you are free to create the experience that best fits your needs. 
☁🌥⛅🌤☀
All of the following information will be available to you when you arrive at the studio. It is entirely up to you whether you read it here or when you arrive for class; but it is important that you do read through all of it, so that you know how to best to prepare for class, what to expect, as well as any relevant after-care instructions.
Despite this long list, there really aren’t rules to this class! We really just want you to be comfortable coming into the studio and to have the most incredible experience while you are here. Your Cloud awaits … 🔆♥☁
IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST VISIT TO THE STUDIO:
• grab a clipboard, fill out the waiver and questionnaire (you can fill it out after class or take it home with you and bring it back on your next visit).
• PRINT your full name on the class sign in sheet
IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME TO the CLOUD9 CLASS (and you intend on receiving acupuncture and/or cupping therapy):
• Read the Informed Consent/Patient Information listed below OR, the Informed Consent/Patient Information sheet on the desk at the studio when 
you arrive for class.
• PRINT your full name on the Acupuncture / Cupping Therapy Patient Consent form and
• Circle YES or NO, regarding whether or not you are okay with the use of photographs taken during class, that you may be in, being used on the website or in promotional materials.
PAYMENT:
• If you arrive after class has begun, and there is no one at the desk;we can take care of payment once you come into the studio or after class.
TIME TO FLOAT:
• Once you have filled out the required paperwork; come on into the studio.
• If you will be receiving auricular (ear) acupuncture, take an alcohol wipe (they should be in a box on the reception desk, but if you don’t see them, no worries, we will bring you one) to clean off the surface area of both ears.
• Grab a mat if you haven’t brought your own, and a bolster or blocks, or whatever you need to lie down comfortably; and someone will come over to you as soon as they are able. Do your best to set up your space so that you’re not super close to someone else, and feel free to move around as you need to if your 
space gets crowded.
• Once your needles have been inserted, it is recommended that you lie down, make yourself comfy, close your eyes and focus on breathing. This will allow your body to relax and become receptive your treatment’s healing benefits.
• Try to keep chatting with your friends or neighbors to a minimum, so that we keep the space as conducive to relaxation as possible.
• Ultimately, this class is intentionally, (relatively) unstructured, to allow you get exactly what you need out of it. Don’t overthink it, just relax and listen to your body, it knows exactly what it needs. But, we are also here to help you, as much or as little as you would like 🙂
INFORMED CONSENT – PATIENT INFORMATION
ACUPUNCTURE / AURICULOTHERAPY
Ear acupuncture has been shown to be helpful in relieving pain, muscle tension, anxiety, digestive issues (and much more); as well as symptoms resulting from stress, a variety of emotional disturbances, drug and alcohol addiction and exposure to traumatic events.
The treatment is performed by placing thin, sterilized needles onto the surface of the ear. The treatment takes 30-45 minutes and is usually done in a group setting. Treatments are provided by a trained practitioner. Individuals 
often feel immediate relief and a decrease in tension and anxiety. Participants have reported sleeping better, and feeling a greater sense of connection with themselves. The risks of this procedure include: slight discomfort at the moment of needle insertion which usually subsides immediately afterwards, possible lightheadedness, possible fatigue, possible minor bruising, and potential for (very) minimal bleeding. 
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Acupuncture is a safe and effective form of medicine. Complications from the clinical application of acupuncture are extremely rare and side effects, if any, are limited.
Regarding acupuncture during pregnancy: Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years on pregnant women and is safe. There are many benefits of acupuncture treatments during all three trimesters of pregnancy; preparing the body for carrying the baby and helping to prevent miscarriage, treating common symptoms like fatigue, indigestion, nausea, headaches, insomnia, regulating the endocrine system/hormones, as well as the nervous system (anxiety, overthinking, worry/feeling overwhelmed). 
And towards the end of pregnancy acupuncture helps to prepare the body for labor and delivery, and when needed, there are specific points to aid in turning a baby from the breech position. Having acupuncture once a week is an excellent way to stay healthy and calm, for everyone, including pregnant women.
There is a commonly cited contraindication or precaution about the risk of needling individuals taking anticoagulants; which has not proven to be a realistic one; please do not hesitate ask if you have any concerns.
CUPPING THERAPY
Generally, cupping is combined with acupuncture, but can also be used alone. Like acupuncture, cupping follows the lines of the meridians and aims to open the channels, allowing qi to flow more smoothly. For this reason, cupping therapy is beneficial to all of the systems of the body. By creating suction / negative pressure, cupping can activate the lymphatic system, drain excess fluids and toxins, clear colon blockages, loosen adhesions, lift connective tissue (… away from the muscle, allowing the muscle to relax and “breathe”), and bring blood flow to stagnant muscles and skin. 
It is of the utmost importance, that you communicate to the practitioner(s), any physical discomfort or draping issues during the session. And that you understand the potential effects, contraindications and after-care recommendations.
Soreness following treatment is common, as cupping therapy achieves a similar effect as deep tissue massage, but without the discomfort many people often experience; because cupping uses negative pressure to achieve the same results. For this reason, most people find the treatment incredibly relaxing and enjoyable, and not at all painful. Although, similar to deep tissue massage, soreness after treatment is common, but usually only lasts a day or two; and that is dependent on following aftercare instructions, most importantly, drinking plenty of water. The suction method employed by cupping therapy often produces discolorations on the skin, which occurs from the release and clearing of stagnation and toxins from the body. Cupping DOES NOT CAUSE BRUISING.
This reaction is not bruising, but cellular debris, pathogenic factors and toxins being drawn to the surface to be cleared away by the circulatory systems. The discolorations will dissipate in a few hours, to as long as two weeks after treatment. The timing depends on how dark the marks are, which is relative to how much stagnation was present in the area that was cupped, and also on other variables relative to an individuals lifestyle (for example: having a job which doesn’t allow the muscles that were cupped to be able to rest). Accompanying soreness, as well, is relative to the color of the marks and the amount of stagnation that was present.
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Pregnant women must avoid having cupping performed on their lower back or abdomen
It is also unadvisable to have Cupping Therapy performed in the following cases …
• After aggressive exfoliation, laser therapy or treatments that leave the skin irritated.
• within 4 hours of shaving the area to be cupped, or after a sunburn
• when you are hungry or thirsty
AFTER CARE: avoid exposure to cold, wet, and/or windy weather conditions, hot showers, baths, saunas, hot tubs and aggressive exercise for 24 hours. Exposure to such extremes can produce undesirable effects; as such, care should be taken to avoid such situations. It is highly recommended that you consume an abundance of clean water following your treatment, doing so will help to flush out the toxins that get released during treatment. You should also do your best to avoid caffeine, alcohol, sugary foods / drinks, dairy and processed meats.
INVERSION TABLE
Inversion tables can help to relieve lower back pain by counteracting the degenerative effects of gravity. Inverting on a regular basis can help to eliminate daily stress and tension by stretching spine and back muscles, allowing complete relaxation. Inverting allows for the benefits of spinal decompression*, without trauma to ankle, knee, or hip joints.
*SPINAL DECOMPRESSION:
”Spinal decompression devices use the same basic principle of spinal traction that has been offered by chiropractors, osteopaths, and other appropriately trained health professionals for many years.
Both traction and decompression therapy are applied with the goals of relieving pain and promoting an optimal healing environment for bulging, degenerating, or herniated discs.
Spinal decompression is a type of traction therapy applied to the spine in an attempt to bring about several theoretical benefits including:
🔅 Create a negative intra-discal pressure to promote retraction or repositioning of the herniated or bulging disc material.
🔅 Create a lower pressure in the disc that will cause an influx of healing nutrients and other substances into the disc.”
Reference: https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/all-about-spinal-decompression-therapy
Circulation is greatly enhanced through inversion. Incorporating time on an inversion table is an excellent way to recover from high impact, compressive, or rotational activities.
HOW LONG TO INVERT: The answer depends on you! You should begin with 1-2 minutes per session and advance only as you feel comfortable. Keep in mind that frequency (inverting more often) is more important than duration (inverting for longer periods of time). Over time, work up to 3-5 minutes or as long as it takes for your muscles to relax and release. While there is no predetermined time limit for using an inversion table, it’s important to listen and respond to your body and remember that inversion is about relaxation and enjoyment.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Hiatus Hernia, glaucoma, high blood pressure (Hypertension), dizziness, bone weakness (osteoporosis, recent unhealed fractures, medullary pins, artificial hip joints or other orthopedic supports which are surgically implanted), cardiovascular insufficiencies in the limbs, acute head injuries, fainting spells, acute spinal injury, disorientation if upside down, weakness or frailty, retinal detachment, cerebral sclerosis, recent stroke or transient ischemic attack, heart and circulatory disorders for which you are being treated, acutely swollen joints, chronic sinusitis, motion sickness or inner ear disorders; or any other medical condition that may be made more severe by an elevation of blood pressure, inter-cranial pressure or the mechanical stress of the inverted position.
MOXIBUSTION (heat therapy)
Moxa therapy or moxibustion is a common health therapy practiced in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Tibet and Mongolia. It is a “warming” technique using the herb mugwort or Ai Ya. Moxibustion helps to increase blood circulation, increase energy, stimulate the digestive system and boost the immune system, increasing longevity. 
Moxa’s warming and moving properties help to dispel cold from the body, alleviate muscle and joint pain, arthritis, diarrhea, kidney stones, menstrual cramps, mastitis, PMS symptoms, infertility and much more! And, it feels great! There are many variations of Moxibustion treatment, at the studio, Stick-On Moxa (photo), is most commonly used.
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Moxibustion therapy should be avoided in the following instances:
• for those with a fever *on areas close to large blood vessels * on the abdomen and lumbo-sacral areas during pregnancy * precautions should also be taken with patients suffering from skin allergies or ulcers * and on areas of skin with nerve damage, where a patient may not be able to sense, when or if, their skin gets too warm
© thesunshinefactorymaine.com 2018