What is acupuncture? How would you define it?
That’s a good question. I ask myself that constantly. The Chinese character for acupuncture is an image of a metal weapon and an open mouth that suggests a person screaming in pain. It has a mark above the mouth that indicates it will prevent the person from screaming. So an acupuncture needle literally means: “ a weapon used to stop the pain”
It seems like a contradiction, doesn’t it?
Yes, if we look at it that way, it’s quite natural to be afraid of needles. Of course, this doesn’t mean that acupuncture is painful. Not at all. My patients know because they feel me more than the needles. Pain is felt depending on the level of the practitioner: that is, the needle hurts if it is placed in the wrong spot. So it depends on the acupuncturist’s skill.
What else can you tell us about acupuncture needles?
Some needles don’t penetrate, so an acupuncture needle is not necessarily a sharp object. The important thing is that the stimulus has to be much better than the disease itself: it’s not good to treat someone who has a trauma with a very strong technique because it will worsen the pain and isn’t any different from the trauma itself. The intensity of the treatment must be adjusted to each person’s energetic needs.
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Connecting everything together
Within the domain of Oriental medicine, we harness a diverse range of tools, with massage serving as a foundational practice that rouses the subconscious, drawing attention to neglected areas. At ShinSei Acupuncture, we offer various massage techniques tailored to each patient’s specific needs, such as Shiatsu, Do-In, or Anma massage. Shiatsu (指圧) combines the “finger” (指) and “pressure” (圧) techniques, while Anma (按摩) employs the art of “pressing” (按) and “rubbing” (摩). Additionally, Do-In (導引) encompasses the method of “guiding” (導) and “leading” (引). These massage modalities aim to optimize the body’s energy flow and can be employed independently or in conjunction with acupuncture and moxibustion.
