Nagano
Kiyoshi Nagano was a blind acupuncturist who developed a new and very individualised style, based on his own unique palpation and diagnostic skills. His approach informed and shaped the way other Japanese acupuncture styles have developed, particularly that of Kiiko Matsumoto.
Fukaya Moxa
Isaburu Fukaya was a master practitioner of moxibustion who developed many innovations in the field of moxibustion, most famously using very small cones and a bamboo tube to reduce the perception of heat during treatment.
Toyohari
Toyohari is a very gentle style of Meridian Therapy developed by blind practitioners. It is typified by very delicate, pain-free, non-insertive needling techniques called ''touch needling''.
Sawada Style Taikyoku Ryoho
A whole body moxibustion treatment using a combination of 11-15 standard points and special effects points based on the unique approach of Ken Sawada (1877-1938). Sawada had a huge influence on Japanese moxibustion, devising his own whole body routines and successfully treating many diseases.
Shonishin
Shonishin is a veyr gentle style of acupuncture for children. It usually does not involve any needling. Instead the channels are stroked, pressed or rubbed with rounded, blunt tools. Children usually love it!
Ontake
More a method than a style, Ontake is a moxibustion technique that uses a short piece of bamboo filled with moxa. When the moxa is lit the bamboo becomes a warm rolling and pressing tool. Some practitioners use this on its own. More recently, Ontake has been integrated with Manaka's meridian frequency theory and is applied with a metronome.
Meridian Therapy
Meridian Therapy is a classical and influential style of acupuncture based on Five Phase theory that involves very light needling to balance the root and a broad variety of symptom control treatments, including moxibustion.
Manaka
Dr Manaka was a medical doctor and an acupuncturist who used a scientific perspective to to research classical theory. The result was a unique four step protocol that can be adapted to treat anyone of any age with a variety of methods, from gentle and non-insertive to insertive.
Kiiko Matsumoto
A renowned international author, trainer and clinician based in the USA, Kiiko Matsumoto has developed an integrated approach incorporating the work of Master Nagano, Master Kawaii and Dr. Manaka. Her style emphasizes palpation to adapt each treatment to the needs of the individual and shallow needling with very fine needles.
Ikeda style Traditional Japanese Acupuncture
Mr. Ikeda is a contemporary practitioner, in practice for over forty-five years. His theories and techniques are based on the classical Chinese medical texts, incorporating ideas from Nan Jing 69, 75 and 81, Meridian Therapy, Zang-Fu theory and his own ideas on syndrome pattern identification.
Sotai
Movement therapy and postural realignment, developed by Dr. Hashimoto in the 1970’s. Uses pain-free movements to restore chronically shortened muscles. Often integrated into acupuncture sessions, and in Manaka style, performed together with moxa.
