Think Japan, and what comes to mind? It might be sushi or electronics or even anime. You probably didn’t think about acupuncture though, right? But acupuncture has been practiced in Japan for centuries, and there’s a lot to recommend it, not the least of which is smaller needles that leave fewer marks.   

People are more familiar with the practice of Chinese acupuncture than the Japanese counterpart. Atlanta-based Kerri Winston, Ph.D., L.Ac, owner of Acupuncture Works, is devoted to the Japanese form. She traces the popularity of Chinese Medicine back to journalism. “I think that Chinese acupuncture really gained a lot of attention in the United States following the New York Times article that journalist James Reston wrote about his positive experiences in China with traditional Chinese acupuncture for post-operative pain during the early 1970s,” she comments.

The branches of acupuncture share common characteristics along with differences. Winston says, “Japanese acupuncture and Chinese acupuncture have the same origins and many features in common. Japanese acupuncture is not one set modality, but more of an approach as compared to Chinese acupuncture. Features of the Japanese approach include a heavy emphasis on palpation, extensive use of moxa, (an externally-applied herb), and the use of super thin needles with mostly shallow insertions and quite a bit of subtle manipulation.”

Another variation between Chinese and Japanese acupuncture lies in the practioner’s approach to the patient’s treatment. Winston notes,” Usually, in a Chinese style acupuncture treatment, the practitioner decides on a treatment, finds the point, inserts the needle, and leaves the patient to rest. In the Japanese style treatment, the practitioner is palpating the channels continuously and needling points as s/he goes along, often checking the pulse frequently for changes. Some needles are retained but most are not.”

It was the treatment style itself that led Winston to the Japanese form during acupuncture school. “I just couldn’t believe how individualized the treatment seemed and felt, and how comfortable I was during the entire session,” she recalls. “The practitioners of Japanese style seemed to pick up quite a lot more information about each patient through their diagnostic process.”

These days, she treats a variety of conditions. “I see a lot of patients who are trying to get pregnant. I have had a lot of success with that and I love to help with family building. I am always working on imbalances in patients’ energetic systems that manifest in different ways and show up under different names of conditions – headaches, neck pain, back pain, insomnia, digestive problems, etc. I am looking for the root of the problem so we can work together to find a solution,” she explains.

To learn more about acupuncture and decide what is right for you, Winston suggests checking out the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Their website is www.nccaom.org. Information can also be found on the Acupuncture Works website www.acuworks.net. 

Photo Credit © Yuri Arcurs | Dreamstime.com

Tags: acupuncture, health, Japan, pain