Japanese Acupuncture, LLC (480) 246-0624:
600 N. 4th Street, Unit 147, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Volume 1, No. 16: February, 2008
Chinese Acupuncture and Japanese Acupuncture
Frequent question I am asked is the difference between
Chinese and Japanese acupuncture. Here are some
differences.
1) Japanese acupuncturists tend to diagnose an illness
with western science, follow by the Oriental Medicine
treatment protocol. For example, in case of
diabetes, Japanese would simply say symptoms due to
diabetes rather than the Yin Deficiency, and a
treatment protocol would be to nourish the Yin. A
different concept regarding a disease brings about the
difference in technique and point selection.
2) The most obvious difference is in the technique of
acupuncture. Japanese needle insertion is very
shallow and applies gentle and less manipulation. My
mentor told me once: "If there is pain, it is not
acupuncture." If I need to induce pain, it is a
dispersion technique (dispersion of excess energy).
3) Location of a point is different as well as the
purposeful usage of the point. Over the years,
Japanese develops slightly different locations on
certain points. Knowing the differences really helps
to choose the right location for a certain symptom.
4) Japanese acupuncturists prescribe Chinese herbs
less. This is because historically they were behind
Chinese in herbal remedies,* and they had to rely
more on acupuncture to be effective. In fact, an
herbalist in Japan would be looked down where as in
China the opposite is true.
*It took Japanese 400 years to catch up with Chinese
in herbal medicine.
Japanese intensely study Chinese classics, namely Su
Wen, Ling Shu, and Nan Jing*. Chinese revere herbal
classic, Shang Han Lun. For most American
practitioners, they are disadvantaged from the very
beginning of schooling because many important books by
Chinese and Japanese are not yet translated.
*In my opinion, Chinese perfected acupuncture 2000
years ago. Lessons are still
learned from the great books, and everything we do
today is simply an add-on to
the knowledge which already existed.
Lastly, the emphasis on a style and a technique of
acupuncture is not really important. You should
choose a practitioner who is effective and can reduce
symptoms the fastest in the most comfortable way.
How To Choose A Practitioner
The best way to find a right acupuncturist is to try
many different ones. As with anything, you need to
invest time and money: acquiring knowledge and
experience to discern a good from a bad. Second best
is by referral. Ask your friends and relatives if
they ever had an acupuncture treatment and how the
experience was. Third best is to call and talk to a
practitioner.
Words of Advise:
Do not make a decision on practitioner's credential
and fees alone. Inexperienced practitioner will
cost you more in a long run, and credentials sometime
do not mean much when the skill is concerned. Don't
make a decision on availability of insurance. When
you need help, you should have a plan and a budget.
Insurance coverage helps, but it is not an answer to
your cure or healing. Once you decide on a certain
practitioner, stick with him/her at least three to
five times. However, if there is no significant
change in ten sessions, choose an another*.
*Keep in mind that some conditions prevent from having a perceptible improvement: over medication, addiction to pain, mental blockage, extreme deficiency, chronic case, mentally ill, etc.
Free Lecture Coming Up in February
Please mark your calendar for my free lecture at New
Vision in Scottsdale on February 21, Thursday, 2008,
from 6 pm to 8 pm. Everyone attending receives a $10
off coupon from a treatment. This lecture is about
answering questions you have and performance of simple
demonstrations. There will be time for drinking
Chinese herb tea at the end. New Vision is at 9659 N.
Hayden Road. Please call 480-391-1126 for direction.
Simple Things You Can Do For Your Health No. 13
Tapping of the head. With your fingers, gently tap
the head from the front to the back. The front part
is good for the brain function, the top area for metal
clarity, back is for de-stress and for the eyes. All
area is good for de-stress and relaxation.
If you find a soft or a painful spot on the scalp, you
need to knead the area. As you shampoo every morning,
check to see if there are such spots. They are
usually indications of something deficient. If you
feel like your finger goes down ½ inch or more (of
course, this is physiological not possible), you need
to seek a treatment or a medical advice. The
extremely soft spot is precursor to either a
manifestation of an imminent stroke or a chronic
condition.
© 2008 Dr. Y. Frank Aoi/Japanese Acupuncture
