How are Japanese Needling and Chinese Acupuncture Different?

Sandy Zeuschner

Shiatsu Massage and Japanese Needling Therapist

 ​Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medicine and healing in the world.
Originating from China it made its way to Japan and has been practiced there for over 14 centuries. Over time a difference in practices and techniques was developed that today distinguishes the Japanese form from Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture.

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1. Needle Sizes
   1. Japanese use smaller gauges and typically sharper allowing a more gentler and superficial needling with less pain
2. Depth of Insertion
   1. Japanese using smaller gauge goes hand in hand with more gentle and superficial insertion. Meaning just slightly under the skin surface, yet still having a profound effect on the acupuncture point being uses.
   2. Chinese use more deeper insertions which some feel to be too painful, although this has it’s time and place in healing, Japanese focus on keeping the body in a state of comfort to promote deeper healing.
3. Pre-treatment touch
   1. Japanese acupuncture relies on palpation (touch) of abdominal, pulse taking, acupressure points, etc to determine treatment strategy. This form of diagnosis and treatment originates from Ancient Japanese therapists being blind and relying on touch and feeling of qi alone.
4. Insertion Method
   1. Japanese differ greatly in needling technique. Guiding tubes are used to help control insertion depth and Japanese rarely manipulate the needle once inserted into the body.
5. Moxibustion / Heat
   1. Along with needling the addition of moxa cones, balls or other heat sources are used on various locations. Again, promoting gentle, relaxing and most importantly a healing state.

 
What is Japanese Needling & Therapies
Along with Shiatsu, which is literally translated to finger pressure along acupressure points and meridians or channels of energy (Qi), Japanese therapies is also used to uncover the root cause of a pathology, issue or condition and hence promoting healing and recovery.
Many tools are used and can involve insertive and non-insertive techniques. From Moxibustion, a warming of herb mugwort, to introduce warmth to a point or area. Ion pumping cords, using polarities and positive and negative Qi within one’s own body, promoting self-correction and repair and also cupping. These are only a few examples of tools available.
The use of needling, traditionally referred to as acupuncture is of great value. And although there are some debates on traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture and Japanese acupuncture, it is inherently clear that these therapies are proven century after century to have profound healing power.
Health & Harmony Always
Sandy Zeuschner
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Sandy Zeuschner from Point to Point Healing & The Natural Health and Wellness Clinic, is a qualified Shiatsu and Japanese & Oriental Medicine practitioner who is passionate about what these therapies offer in ways beyond simple body comfort to deep emotional and physical, body, mind and soul healing. Trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, her belief and knowledge of these therapies shows treatment after treatment with many pathologies and conditions from common cold, back, shoulder and neck pain, post-traumatic stress syndrome, depression, fertility, pregnancy, sinus, broken and sprained ankles and other bones, anxiety, pre and post-surgery, general wellbeing, and many more, benefiting.

“I am always humbled by what these therapies can promote, from self-healing and harmony”