What Is Japanese Acupuncture?

By Patricia | November 17, 2008
Understanding Japanese Acupuncture

What Is Acupuncture

Acupuncture is fast becoming one of the alternative therapies that people have come to rely upon in order to improve their health. Acupuncture is based on the concept that any ailment in the human body occurs due to an imbalance in the flow of energy through the body. An acupuncturist will identify the areas on the body where the energy flow is disrupted and then correct this imbalance by inserting needles at specific points, which are known as meridians. These needles help to stimulate the flow of energy and thereby correct any imbalances.

What Is Japanese Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional healing art that is more than 2,000 years old. It has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine. Japanese acupuncture is a derivative of Chinese acupuncture. Much of the traditional Chinese theory is still used with only a few modifications.

Under this form of acupuncture, there is a strong emphasis on palpation (physical examination) of the body, especially the abdomen and the pulse on your wrist in order to determine your overall health. After the examination, the Japanese acupuncturists tend to apply the root and branch treatment. Root treatments help in restoring balance to the body, while branch treatments address specific problems.

Treatment

To supplement the acupuncture treatment, practitioners sometimes use Moxibustion, the Japanese art of using Moxa (a traditional herb) to stimulate energy and blood flow. Acupuncture and Moxibustion coupled together bring the body to a state of balance.

Before beginning any treatment, an acupuncturist usually asks for your complete health history involving medical conditions, lifestyle habits, emotions and so on to make a complete assessment of your body health. During the treatment, the acupuncturist typically uses extremely thin needles, much thinner than the Chinese needles. The treatment begins with a minimal number of needles, which are then gradually increased.

Japanese acupuncture has been gaining significance in modern science as well. It is believed to effectively relieve headaches, body aches and sleep disturbances. It has also proven to be effective against psychological problems such as stress and depression. This form of acupuncture generally has an analgesic and relaxing effect on the body.

Japanese acupuncture, like Chinese acupuncture is relatively safe and pain-free. There is a slight risk that an accidental puncture in the wrong area could lead to nerve injury or brain damage, but this danger can be alleviated to a large extent by seeking the help of a licensed and experienced acupuncturist. It is important to realize that Japanese acupuncture should not be used in isolation. It is vital to consume a healthy diet and regularly exercise.

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