Did you know there are many different styles of Acupuncture? Most people are familiar with the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) style of acupuncture, as it is the one all practitioners are required to learn first. It is the most researched style, and it is what practitioners are tested on to get their license. What people are unaware of is that there are actually many styles of acupuncture. Originally, the practice of acupuncture came from lineages and each family had their own style of practice. In the 1950s acupuncture and Chinese medicine became standardized into TCM, however some lineages and varying styles remained or developed after this standardization. Read on to learn about the seven most common styles of acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Traditional Chinese Medicine, also known as TCM, is the most common style of Acupuncture practiced in the United States. It was developed in the 1950s by the Republic of China with the purpose of creating a unified system of medicine, rooted in the effective practices and theories developed over 5,000 years in East Asia, that could be used in their hospitals and regulated throughout the world. Prior to this, there were countless styles of Acupuncture practiced in China that came from varying lineages.
This style of Acupuncture is the style taught in most Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine schools, and it is the style that is tested on for board exams and state licensing. So, most Acupuncturists that you meet are likely familiar with this style of Acupuncture. They will either practice this exclusively or combine it with another style of Acupuncture.
Due to the systemization of classical Chinese medicine into Traditional Chinese Medicine, certain point protocols and systems for treating disease became more established and proven over time. This allows for TCM to be more easily researched in a clinical setting. You can find the most studies about Acupuncture points and Chinese herbs under the style of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine uses many other modalities aside from needling patients, such as cupping, moxibustion, massage, ear seeds, and more. Depending on the patient’s primary concern, there is no limit on how many needles are used in treatment.
Japanese Acupuncture
Japanese Style Acupuncture is commonly used throughout Japan and was developed in the 6th century, around 1,500 years ago. It has since migrated throughout the world, and now many practitioners in the United States also choose to practice this style.
This style uses thinner needles with a shallow needling technique for a gentle sensation. It also typically uses fewer acupuncture points – as simplicity is highly valued in this system of acupuncture. The point prescriptions are based on finding balance through the five elements and through yin and yang. Moxibustion is also commonly used in a Japanese style treatment along with acupuncture.
Unique to this style, practitioners use abdominal palpation as a diagnostic tool when choosing which points to use for patients. The emotions and mental state of the patient are highly considered when the practitioner is selecting points and creating a treatment plan.
Korean Acupuncture
Korean style acupuncture dates back to about the First Century. There are two main styles associated with Korean acupuncture called “Koryo Sooji Chim” and “Saam Acupuncture.”
Koryo Sooji Chim is Korean Hand Acupuncture or Korean Hand Therapy. This style emphasizes that the hand is a microcosm of the whole body. So, a point on the hand can be used to effectively regulate internal problems, pain, and more. The corresponding points in the hand can be stimulated using small acupuncture needles, press pellets, magnets, and moxibustion.
Saam Acupuncture is also known as the four-point needle technique. It uses four points among the five element points on the lower legs and feet to regulate imbalances in the body.
Classical Five Element Acupuncture
Classical Five Element Acupuncture was brought to the West in the 1950s by Professor J.R. Worsley. He studied in China under the acupuncturists Ono and Hsui.
This style is rooted in Daoism and Wu Xing, and focuses on the five phases that give rise to the five elements. It asserts that every human being is born with, or develops, an imbalance of one of the five elements that govern our natural functioning. This imbalance becomes the root cause of illness for each individual.
The emotional state and pulses are highly considered in point prescriptions. Very few needles are used and are often not retained in the body. Moxibustion is also often used in treatments.
Treatments are focused on balancing the spirit and mind first, which has a ripple effect of treating physical imbalances. Practitioners will start by feeling the patient’s pulse to check on the flow of qi in the body, and then clear any energetic blocks felt in that pulse to achieve balance.
Esoteric Acupuncture
Esoteric Acupuncture was developed in the late 1990s by Mikio Sankey. This system combines sacred geometry, the chakra system, the kabbalah, and selective spiritual Daoist acupuncture points.
An energetic grid is created on the body using needles to bring in cosmic energy to activate and align different layers of the human energy field. Some practitioners may also utilize crystal healing.
In Esoteric Acupuncture, higher realms of spirituality and frequencies can be accessed to align the heart center. Its purpose is to clear negative or stagnant energy and expand one’s consciousness.
These treatments balance the chakras, subtle and astral bodies, and the connection between the mind and body.
Acupuncture Microsystems
Auricular Acupuncture
Auricular acupuncture utilizes points on the ear to treat the entire body. The ear is considered a microcosm of the body and can be used to offer a whole-body treatment by utilizing one of the many auricular microcosm models.
Auricular points are also commonly included in TCM treatments, as well as community and emergency acupuncture. There are specific auricular point protocols that have been researched over many years and are shown to help with conditions such as addiction and chronic pain.
You can also stimulate points with ear seeds which are taped into points on the ear and can stay in the ear for up to 4 or so days so that the points have continued stimulation post-treatment.
Reflexology
Reflexology utilizes the hands and feet or arms and legs as microcosms of the whole body. They can be used not only for acupressure massage but are also extremely effective in community-style acupuncture.
Choose What's Right for You
The most important thing you can do as a patient is choose a practitioner that you align with, no matter which style they practice. Each style of acupuncture serves its own purpose and can be equally as effective as another style, as long as the patient feels comfortable with their practitioner. As a patient you want to feel relaxed, supported, and as if you are in experienced and knowledgeable hands. It is up to your practitioner to specialize in what they align most with and become an expert within their own style.
At Mili Shah Acupuncture, I mainly practice the Five Element style of acupuncture along with some TCM. Depending on the patient and the primary concern, I will approach the treatment with the style that I think most fits them and will create the best results. If you are interested in the Five Element style or my approach to healing, you are more than welcome to schedule a consultation to book your appointment!