In fact, many Chinese herbs such as ginger, licorice root, dates, wheat, and barley are also common foods that also have important health benefits. These types of herbs are commonly referred to as food grade herbs or kitchen medicine and have greater benefit when used in combination rather than using individual herbs alone.

Many Chinese cooks will add simple herbs such as ginger (Sheng Jiang), Angelica root (Dang Gui), and Ginseng (Ren Shen) to chicken soup or stew for an energy enhancing, immune boosting dish that is as healthy as it is delicious. Other herbs such as Gou Qi Zi, commonly known as Goji berries make an excellent snack or provide a tasty addition to sautéed asparagus or broccoli.

The art of combining Chinese herbs with food has become so popular in China that there are now restaurants where a doctor will assess your current condition and then tell you exactly what to order off the menu. This concept takes individualized medicine combined with the power of food and a healthy diet to a whole new level.

So the simple answer to the question of what is Japanese acupuncture is… there is no such thing. There are a wide variety of acupuncture physicians in Japan today. Some practice the contemporary Chinese style, some practice medical acupuncture, and a small but growing minority practice the neoclassical traditions as described above.

The different styles of acupuncture practiced in Japan can be broadly viewed as follows:

• Contemporary Chinese Acupuncture is the form of acupuncture practiced in modern China today. It is based on the classical theories of medicine developed in China, but it was vastly simplified after the communist revolution in 1949. This style of treatment focuses on the specific functions of acupuncture points and uses larger needles with a strong stimulation to address specific problems.
• Medical Acupuncture is often utilized by modern medical professionals as a secondary treatment used in conjunction with modern pharmaceuticals and physical therapy. The emphasis of this technique is placing needles at the site of the pain or problem and utilizing strong stimulation to affect a change. Meridian theory and classical concepts of organ physiology and pathophysiology are not part of this treatment approach.
• Meridian Therapy (Keiryaku Chiryo) is the result of the neoclassical approach in Japan and is based on using acupuncture and moxibustion within the context of classical Chinese and Japanese theory to balance the flow of energy (Qi or Ki) and blood in the body’s meridians. In addition, each patient is assessed using classical techniques to determine the root of the problem and what is allowing their specific set of symptoms to manifest. This form of therapy is based on the classical texts such as the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal medicine and the Classic of Difficult Issues. In addition, it is heavily based on 5 element theory that is presented in these classical texts. This form of acupuncture uses very thin needles and gentle stimulation to move stagnant energy and supplement any energetic deficiencies. The emphasis of this style of acupuncture and moxibustion is not just the treatment of disease, but also the promotion of good health and wellness.
• Toyo Hari Acupuncture is a very gentle form of meridian therapy that is predominantly practiced by blind practitioners in Japan. It is similar to meridian therapy in that the emphasis is on the meridians and very gentle needle stimulation. In this form of acupuncture, needles are often just touched to the skin and then quickly removed. Extraordinary sensitivity to energy (Qi or Ki) is required to practice this form of acupuncture

As we can see, the idea of Japanese acupuncture is quite misleading as there are a wide variety of acupuncture styles practiced in Japan today. Only about 20-30% of the practitioners in Japan practice any form of Meridian Therapy as it requires years, if not a lifetime, of extensive training in an art form whose roots go back thousands of years. Many of the great physicians we have trained with have been practicing this unique form of medicine for 40 to 50 years and they openly admit that they are still learning and developing their skills even after working with hundreds of thousands of patients.

In the United States today, likely less than 5% of the licensed acupuncturists practice this classical from of Meridian Therapy. It is generally not taught in most acupuncture schools here in the west and if it is, it is usually just an introduction. Japanese Meridian Therapy requires years and years of study, practice, and devotion. For many practitioners who need to get out of school and quickly start making a living, the years necessary to perfect their technique are too high a price to pay. Unfortunately, many people claim to practice “Japanese Acupuncture” unknowingly believing that using fine needles and gentle stimulation is all there is to this classic art form.

Many people who have experienced other forms of acupuncture try Japanese Meridian Therapy because they have not gotten better or the treatments were painful. When they experience Meridian Therapy, they are in awe of how painless and effective it can be. This style of treatment holds great benefit to many people, but we all must come to understand that all acupuncture is not the same. True classical acupuncture is the result of years of study, dedication, practice, and a profound desire to help those in need.

The catalyst of this movement came predominantly from the blind acupuncturist tradition in Japan where acupuncture was a traditional profession for the blind. These highly skilled practitioners benefitted from their highly sensitive sense of touch using very thin needles and gentle treatments to achieve outstanding results. They believed that acupuncture and moxibustion were only effective if the practitioners were well versed in and practiced classical concepts and techniques.

As the influence of western medicine in Japan grew, these practitioners faced a looming crisis as western concepts continued to undermine classical medical theories and disenfranchise the physicians who practiced them. A group of concerned and committed physicians such as Yanagiya Sorei, Okabe Sodo, Takeyama Shinichiro, and Inoue Keiri worked tirelessly to find and learn from senior physicians who were still practicing classical techniques. Much of the classical tradition was based on using the body’s meridians or energetic pathways to treat disease and promote health. The young men who worked so hard to preserve these traditions also incorporated some of the modern western scientific understanding of how the body works into their treatment philosophy.

Just as this neoclassical form of Japanese acupuncture was beginning to flourish, the dark clouds of World War II consumed Japan and the renewal of this valuable medicine was threatened once again. The difficult times that followed Japan’s defeat saw all forms of acupuncture and moxibustion banned by the U.S. occupation government as many reforms were instituted. At this time, all the differences among acupuncture physicians were set aside as they all worked to reinstate their rights to practice traditional forms of medicine. Following their reinstatement to practice medicine in 1948, many of the old arguments resurfaced and the debate continues today.

To be continued…

People often ask us, what is the difference between Chinese and Japanese acupuncture? The answer to this question is both simple and complex. The philosophy and medical theories that form the nexus of Traditional Asian Medicine all come from the classical texts of China with the oldest being the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine written approximately 2,300 years ago.

As medicine developed in China, much of this information was spread predominantly by monks traveling between monasteries to the Korean peninsula and then ultimately to Japan. The teaching also spread westward to Tibet, Vietnam, and Burma (Myanmar) influencing other cultures and their approach to medicine.

As knowledge spread to Japan, its unique people, culture, and history started to influence and shape the medicine to the distinctive needs of its people. Particularly during the 18^th and 19^th centuries when Japan was closed off to much of the outside world, acupuncture and herbal medicine was further shaped and refined becoming a highly valued source of health, wellness, and treatment of disease.

During the late 19^th and 20^th centuries, Japan opened itself to the world and more modern forms of medicine were introduced by the Dutch and American delegations. At this time, traditional forms of acupuncture began to be viewed as unscientific and the constant refinement of diagnosis, treatment and technique that were the core of effective traditional treatment began to decline. It was at this time that a highly committed group of traditional acupuncture physicians started a movement to get back to the classical nature of the medicine that was imported over the centuries from ancient China.

To be continued….

In the May 2011 issue of Whole Living magazine there is an interesting article called “Fertile Ground” that discusses the pros and cons of various natural fertility treatment options. The article addresses the concerns of many women who want to conceive in a more natural way without having to rely on hormone injections and IVF treatments.

The author briefly addresses some of the more popular natural approaches to fertility including acupuncture, diet, massage, Chinese and Ayurvedic herbs, and mind-body treatments. The article also briefly touches on the research related to each of these different therapies.

It is interesting to note that about one quarter of infertile couples utilize acupuncture to assist in conception. In many cases women are receiving acupuncture both before and after an IVF embryo transfer in order to improve the success rate. The author cites a German study that showed the success rate of IVF with acupuncture was 43% while the IVF success rate without acupuncture was only 26%.

The author also noted that her experience with acupuncture left her with a throbbing ache at each of the needle insertion sites. Unfortunately, this is a clear indication that she went to an acupuncturist who feels that deep needling with a strong sensation works best. As any well trained, traditional acupuncturist would tell you this is not usually the case.

When it comes to acupuncture for fertility, gentle needling with little or no sensation, combined with moxibustion is the most effective way to enhance blood flow to the ovaries and uterus. Sometimes less is much better, and it is very important that couples seek out well trained practitioners who will work with them as partners on their journey toward parenthood.

Anyone who has ever moved to North Carolina from another state knows how difficult spring can be for seasonal allergy sufferers. Many people rely on antihistamines, decongestants, and allergy shots to find some level of relief. Many people don’t realize that there is a much better, more natural way to deal with seasonal allergies.

Chinese herbs have been used for centuries to help allergy suffers find relief and in some cases Chinese herbs can be used for a more permanent solution. Chinese herbal medicine is not used to just alleviate symptoms, but is also used to help support the underlying deficiencies in each patient so that they will become less reactive to allergens. With approximately 9,000 natural herbs and minerals used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are a wide variety of solutions and treatment approaches for allergy sufferers.

In addition, diet can be an important component of any allergy treatment plan. It is important to remember that Chinese Medicine treats each person as an individual and there is no one solution that will work for everyone. With an individualized approach, we can much more effectively address each patient’s unique set of symptoms and work with them toward a natural and effective solution.

A recent article in the Sun Sentinel once again reminds us of the importance of not giving up on stroke patients and continuing to find innovative ways to help them in their recovery. As one of the leading causes of death here in the Southeastern United States, stroke should be everyone’s concern. Stroke is also prevalent in parts of Asia where acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine are commonly used as an integral part of the patient’s recovery plan.

Far too many patients recovering from stroke go through the rehabilitation process and are then told that no further improvements can be expected. Nothing could be further from the truth. With acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine I have seen many patients achieve improvements in mobility, speech and mental cognition even years after the stroke.

I encourage anyone who has a loved one living with disabilities from a stroke to seek out further treatment and learn how the ancient techniques of acupuncture can help these people live a better life.

The full article can be found here… http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-02-24/health/fl-nbcol-acupuncture-stroke-brochu-0220110224_1_acupuncture-works-oriental-medicine-stroke-patients

When most people think about treatments for depression, acupuncture is usually not the first thing that comes to mind. Yet acupuncture and Chinese herbs have been used for thousands of years to combat this debilitating condition. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are two of the key treatment modalities of Traditional Asian Medicine that was originally developed to not just treat the physical body, but the mind and emotions as well.

The approach to treating depression with Traditional Asian Medicine is twofold. First, use acupuncture to gently unblock stagnant areas of the body that often leave patients suffering from depression feeling “heavy,” “foggy,” or “achy.” Second, use Chinese Herbal Medicine to support any underlying deficiencies that leave people feeling weak, exhausted, and unable to cope with the stress in their lives.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are two natural, effective ways of managing short and long term depression. They are often welcome alternatives to modern medications and they can also address other symptoms such as insomnia, poor digestion, and fatigue that may be contributing to the depression. In this way, each person is treated as a whole person integrating body, mind, and spirit.

It is an established fact that Americans are living longer and longer, but one can’t help but wonder if we are living better. Healthcare predictions paint a bleak picture as our life spans increase and more and more of us are living with a chronic health condition adding millions if not billions of dollars to national healthcare costs. More importantly, these chronic health conditions are also diminishing our quality of life, limiting our time and ability to participate in activities we love, and undermining the time we spend with our family and friends.

Anyone with a chronic disease will tell you that their life is now dramatically different from what it was before the onset of their condition. Chronic pain in particular, a condition so often treated with pain numbing medications, greatly alters a person’s life, physically and mentally, often in insidious ways until the changes are irreversible. Modern medicine is designed to treat a problem after the symptoms have become so problematic that it can be diagnosed as a disease. Minor symptoms that are often signs of things to come are often dismissed, such as the occasional ache or pain, a history of sleepless nights, or a history of minor digestive problems going back to childhood. Medical problems such as these are often efficiently and cost effectively resolved through lifestyle management such as diet, exercise, and meditation, or natural therapies such as acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, chiropractic, and naturopathic medicine.

As an Acupuncture and Traditional Asian Medicine practitioner, I have worked with many people who have worked hard all their lives; working, stressing, and pushing themselves to the limits of their endurance to achieve what they want in life. Often focusing only on the present goal at the expense of their long-term health and welfare, many of these people often hit a wall in their forties, fifties, or sixties when they are given a devastating diagnosis that alters their lives. Sometimes it is a diagnosis of cancer, an autoimmune disease such as Crohn’s or Lupus, or intractable pain from a degenerating spine that can no longer bear the load it has been subjected to. Most of these people will tell you the same thing. If they had known then what they know now after suffering from this disease, they never would have pushed themselves so hard and they would have done whatever it took to take better care of themselves.

So with that in mind…..How do you want to live? Do you want to roll the dice and see how things turn out for you, or do you want to take action now and do whatever you can to live a long, high quality life where you are not denied the life you want to live? More and more Americans are choosing the latter and are embracing lifestyle changes that will dramatically improve their quality of life as they get older. While we may never be able to scientifically prove whether taking better care of ourselves will prevent cancer or an autoimmune disease, we do know that lowering our stress, eating right, and taking care of any minor health related issues along the way will certainly improve our quality of life in the years to come. To me it’s just common sense and that’s how I want to live.