Services

Japanese Acupuncture

Painless Acupuncture

Masako Wada, L.Ac. mainly utilizes “contact-needle” technique of Japanese style acupuncture. In Japan, this method has been established since the 17th century. Masako has studied this unique technique under Dr. Anryu Iwashina (a.k.a. Dr. Bear) of Morioka, Japan.

Contact-needle technique is to use gold and silver Teishin (needles) of which tips are round; Teishin contacts acupuncture points on the skin. Since needles are not inserted to patients’ body, the patients do not experience any pain or discomfort associated with the regular needling method. Although the regular acupuncture technique is relatively painless, this Contact Needle Technique is particularly suitable for adults whose immunity is compromised due to cancer or who suffer from depression. It is also suitable for children who are afraid of needles.


Does contact – needle style actually work without inserting needles

Acupuncture points are located on the skin, not within the muscles or internal organs. Thus, acupuncture treatment can be effectively performed by slightly stimulating those acupuncture points located on the skin. As a matter of fact, many patients have experienced remarkable results by this Contact Needle Technique.Japanese acupuncture method

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is also an essential part of Japanese Acupuncture that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing. Moxibustion has been used throughout Asia for thousands of years; in fact, the actual Chinese character for acupuncture, translated literally, means “acupuncture-moxibustion.” The purpose of moxibustion, as with most forms of traditional Oriental medicine, is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of qi, and enhance the immune system.

How does moxibustion work? Does it hurt?

There are two types of moxibustion: direct and indirect. In direct moxibustion, a small, cone-shaped amount of moxa is placed on top of an acupuncture point and burned. This type of moxibustion is further categorized into two types: scarring and non-scarring. With scarring moxibustion, the moxa is placed on a point, ignited, and allowed to remain onto the point until it burns out completely. This may lead to localized scarring, blisters and scarring after healing. With non-scarring moxibustion, the moxa is placed on the point and lit, but is extinguished or removed before it burns the skin. The patient will experience a pleasant heating sensation that penetrates deep into the skin, but should not experience any pain, blistering or scarring unless the moxa is left in place for too long.

This photo demonstrates the moxibustion over salt placed in umbilicus to treat diarrhea.

What is moxibustion used for?

In traditional Oriental medicine, moxibustion is used on people who have a cold or stagnant condition. The burning of moxa is believed to expel cold and warm the meridians, which leads to smoother flow of blood and qi. In Western medicine, moxibustion has successfully been used to turn breech babies into a normal head-down position prior to childbirth. A landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that up to 75% of women suffering from breech presentations before childbirth had fetuses that rotated to the normal position after receiving moxibustion at an acupuncture point on the Bladder meridian. Other studies have shown that moxibustion increases the movement of the fetus in pregnant women, and may reduce the symptoms of menstrual cramps when used in conjunction with traditional acupuncture.

Why do acupuncturists use mugwort? Why not use some other herb?

Mugwort, also known as artemesia vulgaris or ai ye in Chinese, has a long history of use in folk medicine. Research has shown that it acts as an emmenagogue that is, an agent that increases blood circulation to the pelvic area and uterus and stimulates menstruation. This could explain its use in treating breech births and menstrual cramps.
In 2006 I was diagnosed with ulnar nerve entrapment, a condition in my left elbow that limited a lot of my daily activities both at home and at work. Since then I have tried several types of treatments, physical therapy, manual therapy, weekly massages, I even got an injection on my elbow. Nothing really worked. After a session of those treatments I would fell better for one day or so and then the pain would comeback again, as if nothing had happened. Around September 2009 a friend of mine gave me Masako Wada’s phone number so I gave it a try. From the very beginning I felt the difference between all the other treatments and Masako’s acupuncture. The treatment is not focused only on my elbow; everything is taken into consideration, my sleep, my digestion, my energy level, even the weather are factors that guide Masako in treating my elbow. So far Masako has performed a variety of procedures, always paying attention to what I tell her I’m feeling but also what my body tells her so that the procedure is the most appropriate and the treatment is the best possible. Today (November 2009) I’m still in treatment and gradually Masako has helped to heal my left arm and more importantly she has helped me to get back to perform my daily activities pain free.

Caio Slonzon
Artist/Musician

Three months ago I had a painfully severe sciatica problem which effectively unbalanced my life in ways that surprised me. The tearing sensation in my hip the throbbing pain that radiating down my leg and the fire I felt in my foot was close to crippling me. My diet was also negatively affected, I was becoming insecure and depressed because of recurring episodes, I was only sleeping two or three hours nightly. I was a real mess!! My local doctor diagnosed sciatica and suggested exercises and medication for the extreme pain. The medication worked temporarily and I preformed the exercises but they just did not produce lasting effect results.

In somewhat desperation and after a recommendation from a friend I went to see Masako Wada. Though new to acupuncture and highly skeptical, I began having regular visits and was amazed when I began seeing a dramatic improvement to my specific complaints. Masako’s patience and reassuring manner, coupled with her professionalism and determination to help me, proved successful far beyond my expectations. I strongly recommend her services to anyone experiencing pain. I have never had acupuncture before this event and I am 51.”

Phillip Burks
Program Manager