Thank you for your interest in my acupuncture practice. I have been in practice since 1989 and have studied many systems of acupuncture and East Asian medicine over the years. What has most interested me though, are a number of the acupuncture methods coming out of Japan. These methods all focus on delicate and sensitive needling techniques, feedback methods through palpating the pulse, meridians, and abdomen to help guide the treatment based on the patient's response, and a focus on developing the practitioner's awareness and sensitivity to the arrival of Qi while needling. Of all these Japanese acupuncture systems I find Toyohari meridian therapy to be the most developed in the above qualities, and to provide the best patient outcomes of any acupuncture system I have ever studied and practiced. My practice is focused on using Toyohari methods above all else. As a Meridian Therapy style of acupuncture, Toyohari's theory and practice methods can be traced directly out of the ancient East Asian classical medical texts the Ling Shu, Su Wen, and Nanjing.

Toyohari meridian therapy treatment consists of two parts. Most important is the “root treatment” which focuses on correcting the pattern of disharmony found through the diagnostic exams. The intent of the root treatment is to improve the overall condition and natural healing abilities of the body. The second part is the “branch treatment” which focuses on correcting and resolving the presenting symptoms.

The root treatment utilizes the very careful and gentle application of non- inserted silver and stainless steel needles. A silver or gold tool called a teishin may be used instead of needles for people who are extremely sensitive to treatment.

The branch treatments employ a number of different techniques for symptom relief including:

Okyu and Chinetsukyu Moxa- the burning of an herbal material over specific points or locations on the body to add heat, relieve pain, relax tight muscles, and to improve circulation.
Chishin- the retention of inserted needles for a few minutes to relieve pain and relax tense areas.
Enshin and Zanshin- tools for rubbing and stroking tense or weak areas of the body which may be contributing to symptoms.
Hinaishin and Empishin- very small needles inserted only about 1mm or less, taped down, and left on for a few days to relieve pain and to continue the effects of the treatment session.
Kikei and Shigo- special applications for symptom relief using the extraordinary vessel system and the daily merdian cycle. Involves the use of copper and zinc discs and moxa for kikei, and a special gold needle for shigo.
Shiraku- microbleeding technique at specific sites and points for pain relief and to improve circulation and reduce inflammation to relieve symptoms.
Kyukaku- cupping techniques to relieve pain, muscle tension, and inflammation.

In addition to Toyohari acupuncture I will sometimes use the Manaka Yin/Yang balancing acupuncture method, and possibly mix in some shiatsu (massage/acupressure), sotai structural balancing techniques, and cranial-sacral therapy to my treatments when appropriate. I will also use some Chinese herbal patented medicines to help continue the treatment therapy at home along with some lifestyle, dietary, exercise suggestions or home self moxa treatments.

Acupuncture treats a wide variety of external (musculo-skeletal) and internal disorders, and I find that the above techniques that I utilize in my practice treats most disorders in most people extremely well. In addition, it is a deeply relaxing and pleasant experience with many people feeling shifts and improvements soon following.

For more information on Toyohari Meridian Therapy acupuncture please see toyohari.org and toyohari.net(in Japanese).