The 7 Key Dierences Between Chinese and Japanese

Acupuncture
imholistichealth.org/the-7-key-dierences-between-chinese-and-japanese-acupuncture/

26/06/2013

Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medicine and healing in the world. It has been around for thousands of
years, and originated in China.

Chinese medicine, and more specically acupuncture, made its way to Japan
through Korea in the 6th century, and has been practiced there since then for over 14
centuries (1). For the most part, when the average modern American thinks of
acupuncture, they automatically lump China in with it.

However, Japan has practiced this medicine for 14 centuries, and over time a
dierence in practices and techniques was developed, making for a very dierent art
and philosophy towards acupuncture.

This article aims to highlight the 7 primary dierences in practice between Chinese
acupuncture and Japanese Acupuncture.

The 7 dierences are as follows:

1. The Size of the Needles Chinese acupuncture

and Japanese acupuncture diers in the size of the
needles used on patients. Japanese needles tend to
be a smaller gauge, while also typically being
sharper than Chinese needles. Many say that this is
the reason for a gentler, more supercial needling
with less pain on the patient. Chinese needles are
bit of a wider gauge, and they promote more of an
aggressive needling.
2. Depth of Insertion The gauges of the needles go
hand in hand with the depth of insertion required.
Japanese needling is extremely gentle and
supercial (meaning only focused on the surface
and maybe slightly under the surface of the skin),
whereas Chinese needling fosters more depth of insertion. Some patients feel this to be too painful, while
others feel that this treatment benets them more, as they can sense the movement of qi through the
body more eectively.
3. Herbs in Conjunction With Treatment A large dierence between the two practices lies in the Chinese
use of herbs in conjunction with acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM), and herbs are an essential aspect of TCM as a whole. Japanese practitioners often do
not tend to use herbs in conjunction with treatment, but they do refer their patients to other practitioners
that are knowledgeable on the subject. The use of herbs is much more integrated in Chinese treatment,
as opposed to Japanese treatment.
4. Touch as a Means of Pre-Treatment Japanese acupuncture places a
lot of emphasis on the use of palpation (touch) before needle treatment. These practitioners rely on
abdominal palpation to judge the insertion point of the needle. This practice roots from the many blind
acupuncturists of Ancient Japan, and it goes hand in hand with the gentle needling.

5. Insertion Methods The Chinese and Japanese 1/2

 5. Insertion Methods The Chinese and Japanese
practices dier greatly in their needling technique.
Now a standard in the acupuncture eld, guiding
tubes for needles were not part of the Ancient
Chinese traditions, and in fact were developed in
Japan in the 1970s when disposable needles
became available. Further, Chinese acupuncture
tends to manipulate the needle when inserted into the
body much more than Japanese acupuncture.
6. Stronger Qi Sensation Chinese acupuncture gives
patients a much more distinct feeling of qi moving
through specic points in their body, as practitioners
of this discipline tend to, as stated above, rotate and shift the needle much more than Japanese
practitioners. Further, the increased depth of the needle gives more distinct sensations.
7. Moxa Furthing the theme of gentle and relaxing, Japanese acupuncturists almost always
incorporation the technique of moxibustion. This involves burning cones of Moxa (derived from mugwort
plant) over the patients skin before needling. This warming sensation adds to the soothing nature of
Japanese acupuncture.

Well, there you have it. Those are 7 key dierences between Chinese and Japanese acupuncture treatment.
One is not better than the other, rather, it depends on the patients needs and the practitioners skill set. Both are
useful for their own reasons, and both carry equal merit. As always, it is about a patient-centered approach, and
understanding what sort of treatment each individual requires.

Right now, the Integrative Medicine & Holistic Health Association is gathering quality integrative practitioners to
participate in a collaborative provider network. Licensed acupuncturists of Chinese or Japanese Acupuncture
styles who are passionate about healthcare with a patient-centered mentality are in exactly the right place! Lets
change the paradigm of healthcare in this country!

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