People often ask me “Why Japanese acupuncture? Is it different from Chinese acupuncture?”

“A person is not sick because of a disease.
They are diseased because they are sick.”

Nei Jing Su Wen (200 B.C.)

Classical Japanese acupuncture shares the same philosphy and history as Traditional Chinese Acupuncture but often differs in application and technique. We believe that the body’s most responsive “ki” lies on, or just beneath the skin surface so deep or strong stimulation is mostly unnecessary. People tend to be more receptive to treatment when they feel relaxed, comfortable and safe so I endeavour to provide the conditions for this to occur.

Some general principals of treatment include:-

  • Less is more Japanese acupuncture techniques use the minimal amount of stimulation necessary to attain the greatest results.
  • Virtually painless Japanese needles are extremely fine and insertion is typically very shallow and painless. This provides a milder stimulation than thicker Chinese needles.
  • Moxibustion a prominent feature Moxibustion refers to the warming of acu-points by burning the herb mugwort directly or indirectly on the skin. ‘Moxa’ is known to have positive effects on blood circulation and the immune system.
  • Emphasis on touch In Japan, acupuncture and massage are traditional professions of the blind who naturally refined and perfected diagnosis and treatment by touch. This includes palpation of the hara (the abdomen) and meridians for diagnosis, as well as palpation and massage of acupuncture points before treating.

“Truth is a pathless land.”
J Krishnamurti