No Pain, Lots to Gain

Japanese Acupuncture ….. An Introduction

Acupuncture is an ancient tradition of holistic medicine that has been practiced

continuously in China for more than 2,000 years. The practice of acupuncture is believed to

be originated in China and its organization and description first found in the Nei Jing

(Classic of Internal Medicine). The knowledge of acupuncture however, is perceived to have

been brought to Japan from the Middle Kingdom by a physician monk named Zhicong

(Chiso in Japanese).

Many of the oriental methods are based on the principles of Chinese medicine and the

flow of energy through certain points or meridians in the body. This oriental medicine

focuses on the preventative, rather than the cure. Japanese Acupuncture utilizes the

knowledge from traditional acupuncture along with modern clinically proven techniques to

strengthen the body, to move the stagnation that can cause pain and to balance the meridians

of the body. It promotes health and healing in a subtle and profound manner.

In Japan over the several decades, Chinese herbs can only be prescribed by licensed

physicians or pharmacists, therefore most Japanese acupuncturists are not trained to use

herbs. Over the years, under the challenge of the current health care system, many groups of

Japanese acupuncturists have refined the acupuncture protocol and formulated a

sophisticated acupuncture system to effectively deal with a variety of external and internal

conditions using acupuncture alone.

 Japanese Acupuncture is a broad umbrella of schools and technical approaches. There

are more than one hundred different associations in Japan alone, each with its large group of

followers. In spite of the diversity of styles, there are certain traits and features that clearly

define the Japanese Acupuncture.

Palpation is the most important of the diagnostic art. This includes feeling the pulse,

abdomen and skin textures of the acupuncture points of the meridian system. Palpation

dictates which points are chosen for treatment, rather than choosing according to theory or

disease.

In Japanese acupuncture, fine unique needles of 0.12 – 0.18mm in diameter

(considerably thinner than other forms of acupuncture) are inserted into selected points,

mostly into the skin or subcutaneous tissue (about 1mm to 4 mm deep). The needles are then

removed in 20 to 40 seconds.

The next distinctive feature in Japanese acupuncture is that the needle or moxa

technique causes an immediate and noticeable change which could be used for diagnosing

the pulse, abdomen or the point itself.

Adjunctive techniques are employed to reinforce the primary treatment. Direct moxa

or moxibustion is commonly applied directly to the skin, providing an instant pinch of heat

to the acupuncture points. Indirect moxa, on the hand is the burning of the larger cone cones

of moxa on specific points which are then removed either before or just after any warmth is

felt.
 Although acupuncture is a popular form of healing, it is dreaded due to the discomfort

caused by the needles. Traditional Japanese Acupuncture is particularly suited to those who

are uncomfortable with strong needle stimulus. The Japanese feel that very shallow insertion,

just below the skin, affects the energies more effectively than deep needling technique

(Chinese style). Skillful acupuncturists gently place the tiny needles and often the insertion

is barely perceptible. Patients usually do not feel the painful piercing or pricking sensation

typically associated with an injection.

Japanese Acupuncture is considered a living and evolving system. The practitioners

have a commitment to do ongoing study and the evolution of the techniques as they continue

to learn and improve.