Japanese Acupuncture:
The Subtle Art of Energy Healing within the Practice of Acupuncture.
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The first time that Todd observed a Japanese Acupuncture treatment took place at a time when he was seriously considering walking away from what he thought was to be a lifelong career as an acupuncturist. That all changed however the first time that he observed the very subtle style of Japanese acupuncture called "meridian therapy".
While observing that treatment, Todd felt as if he was watching a musician talking to the body, composing a beautiful symphony, as Stephen Brown (the acupuncturist who Todd was observing) gathered information, and then engaged the body's energy system through the use of subtle non-invasive needle techniques. It was unlike anything that Todd had observed before, as Stephen used his entire being to listen to the pulse, the hara (abdomen), and the energetic channels. Rather than a medical treatment designed to fix something that was determined to be "wrong", Japanese acupuncture was clearly rooted in an intimate conversation that honored the person's energy system as a living, breathing, vibrant being. It was at this point that Todd connected the dots between what led him into his Oriental medicine studies, Tai chi and meditative practice, and the practice of acupuncture. In that connection, Todd knew that he had found his way of expressing his medicine in the art of Japanese acupuncture.
While observing that treatment, Todd felt as if he was watching a musician talking to the body, composing a beautiful symphony, as Stephen Brown (the acupuncturist who Todd was observing) gathered information, and then engaged the body's energy system through the use of subtle non-invasive needle techniques. It was unlike anything that Todd had observed before, as Stephen used his entire being to listen to the pulse, the hara (abdomen), and the energetic channels. Rather than a medical treatment designed to fix something that was determined to be "wrong", Japanese acupuncture was clearly rooted in an intimate conversation that honored the person's energy system as a living, breathing, vibrant being. It was at this point that Todd connected the dots between what led him into his Oriental medicine studies, Tai chi and meditative practice, and the practice of acupuncture. In that connection, Todd knew that he had found his way of expressing his medicine in the art of Japanese acupuncture.
Some Defining Characteristics of Japanese Acupuncture
Meridian Therapy differs from other styles of acupuncture in several specific key ways. The primary differentiation between this style and other styles is the highly refined & developed use of palpation in the diagnostic and treatment process. Whereas in many other styles of acupuncture, "points" are seen as fixed entities that can be located through an anatomical measuring process, in the Japanese style, points are held as living & breathing entities that one must feel rather than measure. Although Japanese, this principle is in line with the classical texts on Chinese medicine, where points are referred to as "gates" rather than points, and one must be able to feel whether they are "open" or "closed" prior to administering treatment to them. Thus, the Japanese style acupuncturist spends countless hours developing the sensitivity of their hands in order to be able to effectively feel and engage the points that are truly open.
Another way that the Japanese style differs from other systems of acupuncture is through its superficial needle techniques and its use of the highest quality, thinnest acupuncture needles on the market. In the Japanese style that Todd practices, the needle is actually rarely inserted below the surface of the skin, but is rather used to stimulate the point on the skin itself. The reasoning behind this extremely refined technique is the idea that in order to therapeutically engage the body's meridian system, the needle must be used in a graceful way that is non-invasive and feels really good. In order to accomplish this "graceful" skill, the Japanese style acupuncturist must spend countless hours cultivating it.
The next difference that differentiates the Japanese style from its contemporaries is that the treatment is divided into two distinct steps: Root (constitutional) and Branch (local) treatment. Root treatment seeks to address the core energetic, constitutional, and structural imbalances in a person. Branch, or local treatment is employed to specifically target a symptomatic complaint. For most acute problems the branch treatment is enough to effect change. For any long standing chronic issue however, addressing the underlying constitutional cause via the root treatment, as well as the symptom with the branch treatment is essential for healing to take place.
There are several other distinguishing factors that set the Japanese style of acupuncture apart from other styles. For this discussion however, these primary ones will hopefully satisfy one's curiosity. If you have further questions about this subject though, please feel free to contact Todd, as he is always open to talking about the his medicine.
Another way that the Japanese style differs from other systems of acupuncture is through its superficial needle techniques and its use of the highest quality, thinnest acupuncture needles on the market. In the Japanese style that Todd practices, the needle is actually rarely inserted below the surface of the skin, but is rather used to stimulate the point on the skin itself. The reasoning behind this extremely refined technique is the idea that in order to therapeutically engage the body's meridian system, the needle must be used in a graceful way that is non-invasive and feels really good. In order to accomplish this "graceful" skill, the Japanese style acupuncturist must spend countless hours cultivating it.
The next difference that differentiates the Japanese style from its contemporaries is that the treatment is divided into two distinct steps: Root (constitutional) and Branch (local) treatment. Root treatment seeks to address the core energetic, constitutional, and structural imbalances in a person. Branch, or local treatment is employed to specifically target a symptomatic complaint. For most acute problems the branch treatment is enough to effect change. For any long standing chronic issue however, addressing the underlying constitutional cause via the root treatment, as well as the symptom with the branch treatment is essential for healing to take place.
There are several other distinguishing factors that set the Japanese style of acupuncture apart from other styles. For this discussion however, these primary ones will hopefully satisfy one's curiosity. If you have further questions about this subject though, please feel free to contact Todd, as he is always open to talking about the his medicine.
"His enthusiasm as well as knowledge about this specialty is exceptional and he would do a good job of representing Japanese styles as well as serve to advance the acupuncture profession as a whole. Let it suffice to say that Todd has had more exposure to and experience in the many Japanese styles than the majority of practitioners who claim to practice Japanese styles."
Stephen Brown, Author, Teacher, and Pioneer Instrumental in Bringing Japanese Acupuncture to the USA
Stephen Brown, Author, Teacher, and Pioneer Instrumental in Bringing Japanese Acupuncture to the USA