Japanese Acupuncture

What is the history of Japanese Acupuncture?

Acupuncture originated in mainland China over 3,000 years ago. Historical records show that it was in A.D. 562 (or the mid-6th century) when acupuncture was officially introduced to Japan by a Chinese physician monk. Since then, over the past 1,500 years, Japanese have been constantly improving and refining the original methods of acupuncture.

What is the difference between Japanese and Chinese Acupuncture?

Although Japanese and Chinese acupuncture share the same principles, Japanese needles are much finer, and the needling techniques are gentler.

The most distinctive difference is that Japanese acupuncturists use a metal or plastic guide tube to insert such fine needles into the skin, making the insertion very easy and painless. (Guide tube insertion was invented in the 18th century by a master of acupuncture named Waichi Sugiyama.

This technique also helps to keep needles safe and clean during insertion.