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Reasons To Choose Yoshihiro Yamaguchi, L.Ac. as your NYC Acupuncturist and Herbalist

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Learn More About Acupuncture As Practiced by Dr. Yamaguchi

 

What is acupuncture?

While Dr. Yamaguchi specializes in Japanese acupuncture, it is helpful to understand the foundation of his practice.

Mayo Clinic description: www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/acupuncture/about/pac-20392763
Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force known as chi or qi (chee) that is believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in one’s body.

In contrast, many Western practitioners view the acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. Some believe that this stimulation boosts your body's natural painkillers.

Dr. Yamaguchi practices a form of Japanese acupuncture that uses thinner needles that he inserts less deeply than Chinese practitioners.

~~ There are differences between Chinese and Japanese acupuncture.

• Chinese acupuncture and Japanese acupuncture differ in the size of the needles used on patients. Japanese needles tend to be a smaller gauge and sharper than Chinese needles.

• Japanese needling is extremely gentle and focus on the surface and slightly under the surface of the skin, whereas Chinese needling involves more depth of insertion. Dr. Yamaguchi was trained in Japan and follows traditional Japanese acupuncture diagnosis and treatments.

• Japanese acupuncture places a lot of emphasis on the use of palpation (touch) before needle treatment. Their diagnostic assessment relies heavily on palpation of the abdomen, back and various pulses along the meridian system. Dr. Yamaguchi has spent over 40 years practicing and perfecting his diagnostic skills.

• Chinese acupuncture gives a patient a more distinct feeling of qi moving through specific points in their body. Chinese practitioners tend to  rotate and shift the needle much more than Japanese acupuncture practitioners. Dr. Yamaguchi uses some of these same techniques with variations that he has developed over time

• 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 acupuncture practitioners often do not tend to use herbs in conjunction with treatment, but Dr. Yamaguchi sees value in combining his treatments with selected herbs and will often recommend them as part of his treatment.

• Japanese acupuncturists use a metal or plastic guide tube to insert their very fine  acupuncture needles into the skin, making the insertion very easy and relatively painless. The guide tube technique also helps keep the needles safe and clean during each insertion. Dr. Yamaguchi has developed a painless method of quick insertion which he controls with one simple hand motion.

• Japanese acupuncturists often use a technique called "moxibustion" in which they burn an herb called mugwort near the needles to help stimulate the flow of energy. Dr. Yamaguchi does not use this technique, but includes it here as patient information.

Wondering how acupuncture works?

~~ Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into the body at specific points along the circulatory channels called meridians.  It helps regulate the flow of energy, or qi, in the body. These acupuncture points are where the energy flow can be stimulated and where the function of related organs can be regulated.  Acupuncture stimulates the  proper function of muscles, nerves, vessels, glands, and organs. Dr. Yamaguchi has studied these meridians and uses the points that yield the best outcomes. In addition to inserting and leaving the needles in place for about a half hour, he also includes in his treatment the use of points he stimulates briefly.

The use & benefits of acupuncture.

~~ Acupuncture helps improve the flow of energy and blood in the body by invigorating the proper function of muscles, nerves, vessels, glands, and organs. It is used to promote healing and balance as well as used for pain relief and treating a wide range of other conditions.

~~ Acupuncture is used to treat a variety of conditions and symptoms, such as pain relief including neck pain, shoulder pain and back pain or sports injuries, , dental pain, chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting, digestive issues, depression, headaches, osteoarthritis, menstrual cramps,  labor pains, insomnia, and fatigue. Increasingly, acupuncture is being used for overall wellness, including stress management.

~~ Acupuncture can be used to treat fertility by stimulating the release of endorphins, which can improve blood flow to the reproductive organs and help to regulate hormone levels. Acupuncture is also can help reduce stress, which can be a major factor in causing fertility issues.

Concerns regarding the risks of acupuncture and the possible side effects of acupuncture.

~~ Acupuncture treatments are generally considered safe when performed by a trained and licensed practitioner such as Dr. Yamaguchi.

~~ Acupuncture needles used in his practice are very fine and flexible, about the diameter of a human hair. Insertion usually will be completely painless; in most cases needles are inserted just below the surface of the skin.  
The Insertion of the slender needles goes unnoticed by some, and to others feels like a small pinch followed by a sensation of tingling and warmth. Many patients experience a tremendous sense of relaxation and well being and/or elevation of spirit during treatment.  Some people feel relaxed and others feel energized after an acupuncture session.

~~ Acupuncture is not suitable for everyone. Not everyone responds to acupuncture.

~~Because Dr. Yamaguchi uses sterile disposable needles, the risks of his acupuncture treatments are low. Occasionally, acupuncture may cause temporary discomfort at the site of needle insertion. Common side effects include soreness and minor bleeding or bruising where the needles were inserted. Because single-use, disposable needles are now the practice standard, the risk of infection is minimal.

~~Tell Dr. Yamaguchi if you:

• Have a bleeding disorder and are taking prescribed blood thinners or baby aspirin since the chances of bleeding or bruising from the needles may be increased.

• Have a pacemaker since some types of acupuncture treatments involves applying mild electrical pulses to the needles which may potentially interfere with a pacemaker's operation.

• Are pregnant. Although acupuncture is sometimes used to ease labor pains, there are some acupuncture points that can stimulate labor.

Health insurance coverage for acupuncture at Dr. Yamaguchi's practice.

~~ Acupuncture may be covered by health insurance. In the past, acupuncture was not usually covered by health insurance, but that has changed.
For instance: On Medicare's Part B that cover certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services, it covers up to 12 acupuncture visits in 90 days for chronic low back pain. Medicare covers an additional 8 sessions if the patient shows improvement. Medicare requires that the practitioner is a doctor, or another health care provider who has both:
www.medicare.gov/coverage/acupuncture

• A master’s degree or a doctoral level degree in acupuncture training or Oriental Medicine from a school accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Dr. Yamaguchi has trained and apprenticed in Japan for many years before opening his NYC practice.
• Dr. Yamaguchi has a current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice acupuncture in the NY and Japan.

 It is definitely worth asking if your health insurance covers acupuncture. And then you must check if the acupuncture doctor or practitioner you are considering, accepts your insurance.

Acupuncture treatment: Symptoms & Determinations

~~ To determine the type of acupuncture treatment that will help you the most, Dr. Yamaguchi will ask about your symptoms, behaviors and lifestyle. He may also closely examine:

• Any parts of your body that are painful
• The color of your face
• The shape, coating and color of your tongue
• The strength, rhythm and quality of the pulse in your wrist

~~ Dr. Yamaguchi will tell you the general site of the planned treatment and whether you need to remove any clothing. A gown, towel or sheet are provided. Patients lie on a padded table, face up or face down, for their treatment
Treatment will include:

• Acupuncture needles are insertion to various depths at specific points on your body: torso, arms, legs, head. Yamaguchi's patients often don't feel the needle insertion at all particularly with Japanese acupuncture.  The number of needles is determined by his diagnosis. Some may feel a mild aching sensation when a needle reaches the correct depth.
• He will sometimes use needle manipulation where the needles are gently moved or twirled after placement. Part of his treatment usually includes brief needle insertions with some manipulation when deemed necessary.
• Lying still and relaxed the needles remain in place for 30 minutes or longer after which they are removed. There is usually no discomfort when the acupuncture needles are removed.
• Following  the acupuncture treatment some people feel relaxed and others may feel energized. He is aware of this and will ask how you feel after treatment.
• If your symptoms don't begin to improve within a few weeks, acupuncture may not be the right approach for you.

You may wonder how long a session may last & how many acupuncture treatments are required.

~~ Dr. Yamaguchi's acupuncture treatments typically last for 30-60 minutes, but there are a number of factors that will determine how long an acupuncture session will last and the length of the course of acupuncture treatment.

~~ The total number of treatments required to effect change in a condition will depend upon a number of factors including: the disease or condition being treated, its severity, the duration of a disease, the amount of deterioration in the patient, and the cover all health of the patient. In general, it's common to receive 6 to 8 sessions / treatments. But for chronic and severe conditions, more treatments may be necessary. Specific recommendations for number and frequency of treatments will be made by Dr. Yamaguchi on an individual basis.

 

While Dr. Yamaguchi practices Japanese acupuncture, he suggests interested parties learn more background that contrasts his style of treatment with other forms of treatment and encourages you to learn more. He realizes that acupuncture is not well understood and includes the following interesting information about how acupuncture evolved from ancient cultures in China.

Acupuncture has a fascinating history

~~ Acupuncture originated in China. It is one of the oldest forms of medicine and healing in the world.  This traditional form of Chinese medicine traveled through Korea to Japan during the 6th century. Acupuncture is thought to have first been used in Japan during the Nara period (710–794), though it is possible that it was used earlier. Acupuncture became more widespread during the Heian period (794–1185), when it began to be used for a variety of conditions.
Sugiyama Waichi (1614–1694) was a Japanese acupuncturist who is widely regarded as the "Father of Japanese Acupuncture. His development of the shinkan (insertion tube), combined with his use of extremely fine gold and silver needles, allowed for a comparatively painless acupuncture treatment, resulting in considerable expansion of the art of acupuncture.

Although most Americans associate acupuncture with traditional Chinese medicine, Japan has practiced this type of medicine for more than 14 centuries. Japanese acupuncture has evolved and changed from its Chinese origins resulting in a different acupuncture art and philosophy. There are many benefits of Japanese acupuncture, including helping to improve your overall health and well-being, relieve pain and suffering, and  promote healing and recovery.

Chinese medicine was first mentioned in Western literature as early as the 13th century AD in the travelogue of William of Rubruck. But it took a few more centuries  before the Western world became aware of needling.  In about 1680 the first medical description of acupuncture by a European physician, Ten Rhijne, who worked for the East India Company and witnessed acupuncture practice in Japan. In the first half of the 19th century, there was an uptick of interest in acupuncture both in the US and Britain resulting in a number of scientific publications.  Interest waned in the western medicine field until the 1990’s a 1997 National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus conference reported that there was positive evidence for acupuncture's effectiveness. Nevertheless, throughout this period acupuncture flourished outside of Western medicine. Today the bridge between Eastern and Western medicine has not only helped acupuncture progress and evolve, but has enhanced its acceptance within the medical establishment. Fortunately, scientific research increasingly supports the use of acupuncture in the treatment of many conditions, in addition to just pain management. More and more acupuncture practitioners are effecting change by informing and educating medical professionals and the public on the widespread application and evidence base of acupuncture.

 

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161 West 54th Street Suite 21
New York, NY 10019
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