Chinese or Japanese Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Acupuncture

Acupuncture treatment has been used in China for more than 3000 years.  It involves the insertion of very fine disposable needles into specific points on the body to “re-balance” the flow of the body’s energy.
All acupuncture methods work with body’s energy called ‘QI’ (pronounced ‘Chi’), whicht flows through pathways called channels or meridians.  QI should flow in a free, unobstructed way around the body, much like blood.  When it does not - there is a blockage which may result in an illness and disease.  By inserting and stimulating needles in certain way, the acupuncturist can help get the QI moving again, promoting healthy environment within the body and restoring its balance. 
Effective acupuncture takes into account the full details and history of the aliment, how one organ or meridian system relates to another, and how the patient relate all their life aspects to each other, for example his/hers sleep patterns, digestive system, hormonal patterns, moods and others. 

Japanese Acupuncture
 
It didn’t take long for other countries to start developing their own versions on acupuncture. In the case of Japan, it is estimated that acupuncture made its way there, possibly via Korean immigrants, sometime around the fifth century.
Early into what’s known as the Edo period (1603-1868), a blind acupuncturist named Waichi Sugiyama came onto the scene and inspired the brand of acupuncture that to this day is considered signature Japanese.

Key Features of Japanese Acupuncture


Strong emphasis on touch. An acupuncturist who practices Japanese acupuncture will probably be a lot more interested in palpating your abdomen than looking at your tongue. Historically in Japan, largely due to Waichi Sugiyama’s influence, acupuncture was a profession for the blind. Even today, a significant percentage of acupuncturists in Japan are blind. While in China acupuncture is closely aligned with herbal medicine, acupuncture in Japan is thought of more in the realm of massage, both requiring a refined sense of touch.

In addition to using abdominal palpation as a key diagnostic tool, Japanese acupuncturists feel around a lot before needling acupuncture points. Some might even “test” certain points, holding a finger on an acupuncture point while simultaneously pressing another (usually painful) part of the body to see if it alleviates symptoms in that area. A natural outcome of this approach is that there tends to be a lot of interaction between acupuncturist and patient. Feedback is critical to guiding the treatment.

Thinner needles. The attention to precise point location in Japanese acupuncture means that the needles don’t have to work as hard. As such, very thin needles are used and inserted very shallowly.
For example, in Toyohari acupuncture style, needles are not inserted at all but rather held over the surface of the skin. Here the importance is given to the thickness of the needle and the metal the needle is made of (silver, gold, platinum etc.).  Without needle insertion, patients can receive quite a powerful treatment.
Insertive or non-insertive method, it is not uncommon for a patient to feel no needle sensation whatsoever throughout an entire treatment. Some people favor the traditional Chinese approach—”I really feel it working“—but Japanese acupuncture treatments are equally powerful and generally preferable for those who are physically weak or needle sensitive.

Moxa is big. If your Japanese acupuncturist’s office smells a little different, it’s probably burning mugwort, also known as moxibustion. Moxa is to Japanese acupuncture what cupping is to Traditional Chinese Medicine, it’s most popular adjunct. Moxa can be used in various ways but the most common is direct application of small cones on the skin. These cones are lit with an incense stick and left burning until the patient feels heat, usually after a few seconds. The warming sensation and smell—most describe it as pleasant—add to the overall relaxing experience of a Japanese acupuncture treatment.