Iowa City Acupuncture   •   Japanese Acupuncture

This is a style of acupuncture that was largely developed independent of a relationship with China. The Japanese learned Chinese medicine long ago when the two countries were on good terms, but later in the 1600 they cut off contact and Japanese acupuncture continued to evolve. The Japanese have kept a very complete library of the ancient Chinese classic texts, and have worked over the years to understand what was being said by the medical experts of ancient times. The Chinese eliminated many of these same texts during the Communist revolution in the late 1940s. Up to the present, the Japanese have continued to experiment, finding more effective ways to help patients with acupuncture. The result is a wide variety of techniques, and many schools of thought, but most approaches have several commonalities.

The approaches tend to be much more subtle than Chinese acupuncture techniques, use thinner needles, and are more painless. Often, tiny threads of moxa (see moxibustion tab on this site) are burned upon the skin without burning the patient or leaving a mark. Other unusual techniques are used, such as connecting wires from one point to another, or the precise application of magnets. Additionally, abdominal palpation is a hallmark of Japanese acupuncture, taking the place of tongue diagnosis, which is more characteristic of Chinese acupuncture. Theoretical differences are also notable: Chinese acupuncture makes more use of the "Eight Principles" diagnostic system (which is necessary for the choice of herbal formulas as well), whereas Japanese acupuncture tends to place more emphasis on the "Five Elements" system of thought.

Japanese acupucture has become very popular in the US, for several reasons. Firstly, because it is painless and people like this about it. Secondly, because it is very precise and very effective. It also appeals to the american acupuncturist because of its use of creative ideas, more modern technical instruments, and because it has been developed for so long by many venerable practitioners in Japan.

As in China, Japanese acupuncturists are often trained in lineages. However, unlike in the US, students are not really allowed to switch from one lineage to another. Despite this, many american acupuncturists are schooled in several forms of Japanese acupuncture, and thus may blend techniques or philosophies in their work.

Many of the acupuncturists in Iowa utilize Japanese acupuncture to one extent or another. This is beneficial to patients because it is comfortable, effective, and provides an alternative to traditional Chinese acupuncture.