The enthusiasm and attention of the participants was beautifully complemented by the unique surrounds of the Australia Bush, a very pleasant, well appointed conference room plus excellent catering for our delicious morning and afternoon teas/coffee.

The sounds of the incredibly varied bird-life was complemented on Sunday morning by the amazing, meditational movement through music of vibrational notoriety by Mister Matt Coldrick, or Pan Electric, Matt’s performing and recording title.

It was our great pleasure to have such moments of musical bliss to kick off the day.

To find out what you missed musically please click on the following link http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/music-for-a-busy-head/id78439275 well worth a listen and a superb adjunct to this workshop, in fact to any clinical setting.

A great environment in which to present this the first in the workshop series,  ”Bridging the Gap between TCM and Japanese Acupuncture”.

I believe that we achieved our fundamental objective of demonstrating both the similarities and dissimilarities of these apparently different schools of acupuncture that share exactly the same source.

For the first 12 years of my acupuncture career I practiced TCM acupuncture with some success.

Sadly the ability to refine and develop my clinical skills was very limited.

Personal issues, geographical isolation and precious few workshops with any practical demonstration or treatment, almost all of the workshops in the 80′ and early 90′s were totally theoretical and the only advancement I was able to make in my clinical skills was a result of successful and not so successful treatment outcomes.

Not such a bad way to learn but oh so slow.

I had absolutely no idea whatsoever of the refinement possible in my practical skills and the subsequent power that could be harnessed using Traditional Acupuncture with increased awareness.

25 years on and my extensive clinical experience has convinced me that as a practitioner of Traditional Acupuncture, specifically that refined by the Japanese, I have access to one of the most powerful natural medicines on the planet.

With a history of conviction and belief based firmly on my clinical experience it was not difficult to summon much passion in my delivery, in spite of suffering from niggling invasion of pathogenic cold.

I cannot speak highly enough of the participants, their focus and energy provided me with much inspiration.

A huge thanks to all!

From events such as this workshop, the first in a series of workshops focusing on ‘Bridging the Gap between TCM and Japanese Acupuncture’ and Junji Mizutani’s moxibustion workshop next weekend I draw great heart for the future of this extraordinary healing modality.

There is definitely something to be said for a gathering of like-minded individuals under one roof generating an awesome amount of positive energy.

DVDs and episodic video recordings of the workshop will be available through http://worldacupuncture.com in the very near future.

The next workshop in the series ‘Bridging the Gap Between TCM and Japanese Acupuncture’ will be held in PRAGUE on the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd October 2010.

http://worldacupuncture.com is fast building a deep vault of Japanese acupuncture instructional videos, as a member you will  have access to these videos, our forum to ask any questions you like regarding the practice of Japanese Acupuncture and in addition, you will join a growing global network of likeminded students and practitioners.

Countries represented by our members include, UK, USA, Canada, Thailand, Czech Republic, Holland, NZ,  Ireland, Ukraine, Denmark, France, Mexico and Malta.

On that extremely optimistic note, I bid you sayonara from a wintry Rainbow Bay, where we are doing it tough, it’s 22.5°C air temperature and 20°C water temperature.

Wishing you abundant prosperity through practice,

Alan

PS.

Hope you enjoy the images and remember the video is on the way.

Adam caught red handed with his fingers in the Gold Moxa pie

Participants broke up into smaller practical groups

Ready to Rock n Roll

Nick demonstrating one handed needle loading

Andre demonstrating one handed needle loading

Efrat demonstrating one handed needle loading

Andrew demonstrating one handed needle loading

Adam, yes you guessed it, demonstrating one handed needle loading

Rice Grain Moxibustion Training

Ther were 5 separate groups for practical instruction

Alan Jansson is an internationally recognized teacher and practitioner of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.  For well over a decade, independent of and in conjunction with Masakazu Ikeda sensei and Edward Obaidey, Alan has presented, convened and hosted more than 40 Traditional Japanese Acupuncture workshops in Australia, New Zealand and USA. Driven by a strong desire to promote the consumer friendly nature, clinical efficacy and potency of Meridian Based Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, Alan is a staunch advocate of practically based workshops and draws upon his 25 years clinical experience and 14 years post and undergraduate teaching in a concerted effort to lift the bar globally in the clinical application of this most amazing medical art.

Join him in Exploring the Art of Acupuncture in the 21st century at  http://www.Worldacupuncture.com

How did this come to pass?

In my practice of Japanese acupuncture I am invariably accompanied by a student/assistant during treatment.

There are three good reasons.

1. Most important being that the patient benefits from the students/assistants focus and intention.

2. The student/assistant has a wonderful opportunity to observe an experienced practitioner in action, learn the medicine in a clinical setting and most importantly witness the clinical outcomes.

3. As a senior practitioner it gives me a wonderful opportunity to pass on some of the invaluable clinical experience accumulated over more than 25 years of practice.

Sylvia, my Chilean student/assistant and now practitioner has worked in my clinic a lot over the past 3 years and as a result of a visit to her family in Santiago she found herself in a position to help some victims of the devastating Chilean earthquake earlier this year.

Following is the how, why and when she was able to do so, hope you enjoy!

To start I wish you a warm welcome  from Rainbow Bay on the Gold Coast, Australia.

Sunset and Play at Rainbow Bay, Australia

Sunset, Rainbow Bay, Australia

More Play at Rainbow Bay

I have one ear on the US Masters golf championship that is currently coming to life on my television.

I cannot help but marvel at the incredible skill of these competitors.

Having played a lot of golf in my life I can truly appreciate the incredibly refined skill that these talented athletes have at their disposal.

Skills that are continually honed by much focused practice and competition in elite tournaments of which the US Masters along with the British Open rank supreme.

The mental acumen and emotional balance required to compete successfully at this level must be extraordinary.

In Japanese acupuncture we pride ourselves on continually developing and refining our clinical skills whilst expanding our understanding of the diagnostic protocols that have proven to be clinically effective for over 3000 years.

‘Perhaps practicing refined Japanese acupuncture can be likened to playing professional golf, in that the more focused the practice, the more often the practice, the more specific the treatment, the more relaxed the practitioner and patient, the more likely a successful clinical outcome.’

This is very different to bunging in a needle with gay abandon and little understanding of the incredibly intricate energetic network into which we are plugging, the human being!

Sylvia’s story about her work with victims of the Chilean earthquake is especially uplifting for me and confirms a strongly held belief that teaching can go hand-in-hand with clinical practice not only to the benefit of those present during treatment but as students/assistants create their own practices they have a significant head start in their understanding and application of Japanese Acupuncture to the ultimate benefit of the patients.

Here is Sylvia’s story:

Dear Alan,

It was so good too see you this Tuesday, I love going to Clinic!!

Well as you know I went to Chile this last December, unfortunately or fortunately depending on one’s perspective I had to live the big experience of a huge Earthquake!

The massive amount of energy coming out of the earth moved our lives into introspective questions of what really matters in this life.

3 days after the earthquake, having had huge repercussions (after shocks) every single day, my good friend of Maria Cecilia Huerta and I have the fantastic idea to help people with FREE JAPANESE ACUPUNCTURE!!!

Cecilia found a location down in the Gym area of her building, so we set up one massage table and 3 mattresses on the ground.

Everything was looking great but we were in need of patients.

Thanks to the lovely public relations of my friend Cecilia we treated 15 people a day for 3 days.

The majority of the treatments where to do with sleeping disorders, feeling extremely scared, panic attacks, muscle aches, headaches and stomach disorders.

My colleagues will be happy to learn that I was assisted by my young cousin in much the same manner as we help Alan in Clinic.

Everyone loved their Japanese Acupuncture treatment and to a man, woman and child said they felt so much better.

I used lots of Tonetskyu (rice grain moxa) for people with sleeping disorders and in the majority of cases we did both front and back treatments.

Root treatments changed depending upon the patient’s primary deficiency and related excess/es, lots of Liver def. and excess in the Pericardium and Stomach meridians.

The main thing is that all the people we treated with Japanese Acupuncture loved it!!!

I’m so happy that I could help with my small knowledge and I know that will grow with the years beside Alan in clinic.

Thanks Alan for being the medium as I prayed for your presence to be with me through those days, also big thanks to these beautiful studies from the classics.

My experience in Santiago in February this year proved to me and the recipients that Japanese Acupuncture is not only magic, there is logic behind the medicine and thousands of years of clinic experience to help us became better practitioners.

Thanks for your time, to hear this story, and I hope that everyone is smiling!!!
Lots of love,

Sylvia

Alan Jansson, Sylvia Flores Larrain and Adam McIntosh

Sylvia’s story is yet another reason why I love what I do with a passion!

All the Best,

Alan

Alan Jansson is an internationally recognized teacher and practitioner of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.  For well over a decade, independent of and in conjunction with Masakazu Ikeda sensei and Edward Obaidey, Alan has presented, convened and hosted more than 40 Traditional Japanese Acupuncture workshops in Australia, New Zealand and USA. Driven by a strong desire to promote the consumer friendly nature, clinical efficacy and potency of Meridian Based Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, Alan is a staunch advocate of practically based workshops and draws upon his 25 years clinical experience and 14 years post and undergraduate teaching in a concerted effort to lift the bar globally in the clinical application of this most amazing medical art.

Join him in Exploring the Art of Acupuncture in the 21st century at: http://www.worldacupuncture.com

Stephen Brown demonstrates the Art of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture to a Captive Audience

The Walkabout Creek function center deep in the hills in pristine eucalyptus forest country northwest of Brisbane, a magical location discovered by eminent traditional acupuncturist/herbalist, East Asian medicine educator and now successful workshop convener, Greg Bantick was a superb venue for this groundbreaking Japanese Acupuncture workshop.

In conjunction with John Thompson, veteran Brisbane Traditional Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine practitioner, long time convener and supporter of Japanese acupuncture workshops in Australia, they persuaded the translator of Shudo Denmei’s beautiful books, Japanese Classical Acupuncture: Introduction to Meridian Therapy and Finding Effective Acupuncture Points

Mr. Stephen Brown presented a beautifully integrated Japanese Acupuncture workshop, effectively communicating with and demonstrating to a captivated audience including undergraduate students with absolutely no experience of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture and experienced practitioners of this highly refined East Asian medical art.

His eloquent treatments were absolute testimony to the fact that Stephen Brown walks the talk!

Using his vast shiatsu/bodywork experience in conjunction with Traditional Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion skills honed by more than 25 years of clinical practice, Stephen inspired us with beautifully crafted treatment demonstrations.

His obvious Japanese Acupuncture and moxibustion skills were complemented by extraordinary palpation skills, acute sensory awareness, tactile finesse and energetic empathy.

Stephen Brown gathering meditative poise whilst administering Japanese Acupuncture treatment

BIG gratitude to Stephen ‘The Liberator‘  Brown for taking the time and making the effort to come on down under to share his invaluable clinical acumen and unique insights into the practice of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture!

Some of the very happy attendees at Stephen Brown's 'Explorations in Meridian Therapy' Workshop

To Greg Bantick and John Thompson for putting their shoulder to the wheel and their heads on the block to make this watershed event in Traditional Japanese Acupuncture education down under a reality, our heartfelt thanks

Their effort and commitment to the development of our skill and understanding in the East Asian medical art/sciences of Traditional Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine is truly inspirational.

All the best in life and practice,

Alan Jansson

PS.

World Acupuncture uncovered some  unique perspectives about Traditional Acupuncture when we talked with these eminent practitioner/educators in 3 state of the art interviews.

Stephen Brown, Greg Bantick and John Thompson, with a cumulative clinic experience of over 75 years discussed their clinical background, unique perspectives on the current state of Traditional Acupuncture, East Asian Medicine and the future potential of our ancient medicine in the West.

As a subscriber to the world acupuncture updates, you will know as soon as we have the video of the interviews up and running online.

Don’t miss out!

If you have yet to subscribe to our free update service on http://www.worldacupunctureblog.com or http://worldacupuncture.com just go to the top right hand corner of either site and spend 30 seconds filling in the briefest of forms and you will be notified of all relevant updates.

Members of http://worldacupuncture.com will be able to view some of the outstanding highlights of Stephen’s workshop in the not-too-distant future.

Alan Jansson is an internationally recognized teacher and practitioner of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.  For well over a decade, independent of and in conjunction with Masakazu Ikeda sensei and Edward Obaidey, Alan has presented, convened and hosted more than 40 Traditional Japanese Acupuncture workshops in Australia, New Zealand and USA. Driven by a strong desire to promote the consumer friendly nature, clinical efficacy and potency of Meridian Based Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, Alan is a staunch advocate of practically based workshops and draws upon his 25 years clinical experience and 14 years post and undergraduate teaching in a concerted effort to lift the bar globally in the clinical application of this most amazing medical art.

Join him in Exploring the Art of Acupuncture in the 21st century at http://www.Worldacupuncture.com

If you can’t make then I hope you hav a gud 1.

Lotsa,

Alan

Explorations in Meridian Therapy
with Stephen Brown

“Stephen is one of the finest exponents of traditional Japanese acupuncture
and allied arts. He is a gifted teacher and guide. Take every opportunity to
study with him.” Greg Bantick

Meridian Therapy is the dominant form of traditional acupuncture in Japan. This system is based on the Nanjing (Classic of Difficulties) and the five phases relies on refined pulse taking and palpation skills combined with subtle needling techniques.

This workshop will introduce the theory, palpation techniques, and five phases treatment strategies of Meridian Therapy.

Shudo Denmei, one of the leaders of Meridian Therapy in Japan, has a refined and simplified approach.

Stephen Brown, the leading exponent of the Shudo style, will teach the refinements in Meridian Therapy. In addition, Stephen will also present some of Shudo Demei’s symptomatic strategies using super‐rotation insertion, moxibustion, and intradermal needles.

This workshop will provide ample time for hands‐on practice for a working understanding of Meridian Therapy.

Friday participants will learn:
Stephen will share some of his personal clinical experience with an emphasis on self‐care,
including Sotai and qi gong. He will demonstrate how to use these in treatments.

Weekend participants will learn:
‐an introduction to the history of Meridian Therapy and its stylistic variations
‐pulse diagnosis for diagnosis and treatment.
‐how to palpate and accurately locate points requiring tonification
‐super‐rotation insertion techniques for tonification and dispersion
‐how to palpate and needle symptomatic points on the back, neck and shoulder

Where: Walkabout Creek – Banksia room – Brisbane Forest Park
60 Mt Nebo Road, The Gap, Qld www.walkaboutcreek.com.au

When: November 20, 21 and 22, 2009 8.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.

Cost: Friday only $140 AACMA Member $10 discount
Saturday & Sunday $330 AACMA Member $10 discount
All 3 Days $430 AACMA Member $10 discount

Stephen Brown, L. Ac. graduated from Japan Central Acupuncture College in Tokyo in 1983 and obtained his license to practice shiatsu, acupuncture, and moxibustion in Japan.

In 1984 he continued his study in Beijing, China. He moved to Seattle in 1986 and is currently teaching at the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine.

He is also a practitioner and teacher of traditional exercises for health including yoga, taichi, sotai, and qi gong.

A native speaker of Japanese he has translated many texts and has served as an interpreter for international seminars and conferences.

He is a founding member, and one of the editors of the North American Journal of Oriental Medicine devoted to traditional Japanese medicine.

Recommended Reading:
Introduction to Meridian Therapy By Shudo Denmei & Stephen Brown
Locating Effective Acupuncture Points By Shudo Denmei & Stephen Brown

CONTACT:

John Thompson
28 Mackay Street
Windsor, Qld 4030

Phone:(07) 3857 7733

Today’s Japanese Acupuncture post is primarily pictorial.

Images of infant patients, new born prodigy of existing patients, dolphins at play, the beach and the ocean were all captured in the last week.

I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Wishing you prosperity and peace,

Alan

6 day old Laird resting easy whilst mum has a Japanese Acupuncture treatment

Japanese Acupuncture for dad and bub, mum and bub's twin sister also enjoyed treatment for the flu.

We were lucky enough to be given permission to film the Japanese Acupuncture treatment of both of these delightful infants.

The full video of treatment will soon be added to our growing audio-visual library at http://www.worldacupuncture.com

Fishing, the human version

Fishing, the mammal version

Water Qi/Ki as the ocean meets the land

Lot's of Qi/Ki in this image

The first of a lush sequence of a surfing dolphin

Whoa, dolphin hitching a ride on a very nice lil wave

Dolphin, maximum projection n full speed ahead

Alan Jansson is an internationally recognized teacher and practitioner of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.  For well over a decade, independent of and in conjunction with Masakazu Ikeda sensei and Edward Obaidey, Alan has presented, convened and hosted more than 40 Traditional Japanese Acupuncture workshops in Australia, New Zealand and USA. Driven by a strong desire to promote the consumer friendly nature, clinical efficacy and potency of Meridian Based Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, Alan is a staunch advocate of practically based workshops and draws upon his 25 years clinical experience and 14 years post and undergraduate teaching in a concerted effort to lift the bar globally in the clinical application of this most amazing medical art.

Join him in Exploring the Art of Acupuncture in the 21st century at  http://www.Worldacupuncture.com

Last Saturday the first Gold Coast Japanese Acupuncture/Japanese Meridian Therapy/Traditional Japanese Medicine study group in 7 years was held.

Please allow me to apologize for the irregular activity on http://worldacupunctureblog.com over the last month or so.

I have been besieged my problems with my PC and finally relented this weekend handing the machine over to my tekkie for a heart and lung transplant.

Surgery should have taken place overnight but as can happen in the virtual world some 48 hours later, my machine is in intensive care and it is looking like I will have to re-install all programs.

Such is life but the outcome should be trouble free computing in the future and more regular posts.

Back to our first Japanese Acupuncture workshop in 7 years…….

A little history regards these study groups.

First established in 1994 when I was teaching at an undergraduate level and realized that my students were not getting sufficient practice in their degree course, the study groups were held on a monthly basis for the next 6 years winding down in 2002  as a result of burn out on my behalf.

The first visit to our shores by Edward Obaidey in 1995 provided much needed stimulus for these Study Groups, whilst Masakazu Ikeda sensei’s visit in 1996 turbo-charged our focus and desire to refine/develop our skills in the practice of Traditional Acupuncture.

A couple of months ago Takashi Furue a graduate of ACNM here on the Gold Coast approached me about the possibility of re-establishing the study group.

Takashi, Andy and Elvira

He had been in communication with Ikeda sensei and other leading lights in the development/refinement of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture/Meridian Therapy in Japan and was encouraged by their positive feedback regarding ongoing study here in Australia.

One of the key factors of the cessation of the Study Groups in 2002 was the seemingly insurmountable communication and cultural differences between Australia and Japan limiting our ability to obtain appropriate feedback/support from Japan, the appearance of Takashi and his powerful focus and commitment for the practice of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture looks to have resolved these difficulties to some degree and provided the impetus to re-establish regular monthly study groups where senior practitioners and students of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture can gather to discuss, practice and refine this therapeutically dynamic modality.

So it was that we gathered last Saturday to discuss the direction that we would like to take in our studies and practice, 6 leading undergraduate students and 10 practitioners with an average 11 years clinical experience.

The Study Group Crew

For the 1st half of the study group we discussed the best direction to take with our studies and the decision was made to begin the translation of Masakazu Ikeda sensei’s latest work, a clinically based handbook/commentary on the ancient classical text the ‘Nan Jing’.

The primary responsibility for this daunting task falls to Takashi, as he translates the most relevant chapters of this timeless classic for the group, senior practitioners within the group will be doing their best to relate this invaluable information to their clinical practices.

The 2nd half of the study group was all practical with a number of practitioners including myself receiving much needed treatment from our peers, a rare privilege indeed.

As a recipient, Traditional Japanese Acupuncture never ceases to amaze me, the benefit I felt, especially the relief experienced from chronic neck and shoulder pain as a result of a serious motor vehicle accident some 2 1/2 years ago complicated by a whiplash injury incurred whilst surfing the previous day was outstanding to say the least.

A precisely applied Kidney root treatment complimented by needling of the affected meridians in conjunction with the application of astute tonetskyu/rice grain moxibustion on a number of relevant locations as determined by thorough palpation of the affected areas resulted in a feeling of well being, a a quality nights sleep, a pain free surfing session (paddling the board has been exacting painful retribution on my damaged shoulder and neck) and the smoothest practice session on the Golf Driving range the following day.

To say I am grateful for my treatment and remain astonished as to the efficacy of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture would be a massive understatement!

Videographer and enthusiastic undergraduate student Andrew captured much of the study group on film and the highlights will be available in the near future at http://worldacupuncture.com

Andrew Not Sweating Over his Canon

It was decided at the Study Group to throw the doors open, meaning that any interested student or practitioner of Acupuncture is welcome to attend, so if you are keen to refine and develop your practice of Traditional Acupuncture and physically able to attend, YOU ARE WELCOME.

If you are unable to physically get your body through the door, do not despair we will be recording highlights of each study group and publishing them at http://worldacupuncture.com and you will be able to ask all the questions you want on the forum.

Keiko Capturing the Moment

That’s about it for this post, my surfing buddy has just called and at this moment is scouring the Northern N.S.W coastline in an effort to find a wave due to unfavorable wind conditions at my home surfing break at Rainbow Bay.

The next Traditional Japanese Acupuncture/Meridian Therapy study Group will be held at Miami on the Gold Coast on 10th October 2009, 2pm – 6pm, at this point we have determined a charge of $10 per workshop to cover rental of the premises and equipment, I hope you can make it, if not remember that video highlights of the study groups will be available at http://worldacupuncture.com.

All the Best,

Alan

Alan Jansson is an internationally recognized teacher and practitioner of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.  For well over a decade, independent of and in conjunction with Masakazu Ikeda sensei and Edward Obaidey, Alan has presented, convened and hosted in the vicinity of 30 Traditional Japanese Acupuncture workshops in Australia, New Zealand and USA. Driven by a strong desire to promote the consumer friendly nature, clinical efficacy and potency of Meridian Based Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, Alan is a staunch advocate of practically based workshops and draws upon his 25 years clinical experience and 14 years post and undergraduate teaching in a concerted effort to lift the bar globally in the clinical application of this most amazing medical art.

Join him in Exploring the Art of Acupuncture in the 21st century at
http://www.WorldAcupuncture.com

Dear……..,

Thought you might be interested to hear that I am receiving a number of reports about physio’s advertising acupuncture as distinct from dry needling.

Also, you might be interested in this article.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/acupuncture-gets-trial-in-casualty-20090625-cya5.html

I wonder who is doing the quality control on the treatment ?

It seems the simplistic, prescriptive, point based nature of TCM and lack of skills training is going to bite us on the backside.

All the Best,
Alan

A response from my student follows.

I reckon the best thing that we can do to ensure the survival of Traditional Acupuncture is to:

a) not compromise our diagnostic/treatment structure
b) keep impeccable notes
c) actively seek out relationships with medical practitioners
d) keep helping people get better

A response from a senior colleague follows.

They can do what they like at present and can set their own standard as Chinese medicine is not currently a protected profession.

Even when it is I still think we will not be able to stop them

We just have to continue to be who we are and let people/client know just how dangerous we are as a profession and that is why we are going to be registered.

Sorry I can not be any more helpful.

Do you have any comments on how we might best handle this scenario?

Also directly below is the link to an excellent short news video on pediatric acupuncture from the states, courtesy of  Vitalis Skiauteris in New Zealand.

http://acupuncture.vitalis.co.nz/2009/06/acupuncture-use-for-pain-relief-at.html

Alan Jansson is an internationally recognized teacher and practitioner of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.  For well over a decade, independent of and in conjunction with Masakazu Ikeda sensei and Edward Obaidey, Alan has presented, convened and hosted in the vicinity of 30 Traditional Japanese Acupuncture workshops in Australia, New Zealand and USA. Driven by a strong desire to promote the consumer friendly nature, clinical efficacy and potency of Meridian Based Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, Alan is a staunch advocate of practically based workshops and draws upon his 25 years clinical experience and 14 years post and undergraduate teaching in a concerted effort to lift the bar globally in the clinical application of this most amazing medical art.

Join him in Exploring the Art of Acupuncture in the 21st century at http://www.Worldacupunctureblog.com

For more info, please visit: http://www.Worldacupuncture.com

I hope you and yours are enjoying good health and soaking up some of our new found spring warmth.

Have you or do you know someone who has been suffering with or struggling to recover from a bout of the flu?

If Traditional Japanese Acupuncture is effective for elite athletes under immense physical, mental and emotional pressure then it stands to reason that there could be significant benefit available for us mere mortals.

We are well into spring 2008 and it appears that life has not slowed down at all.

The rate of change, the extraordinary amount of information and seemingly endless possibilities available to us, the climate, the extreme events on the economic front, sporting heroes/ antiheroes, footy finals, babies popping up everywhere, it is all happening!

If we have insufficient energy/inspiration to maintain the cracking pace of life in the 21st century, instead of being pleasurable, life can become stressful and tiring, more of a struggle than an adventure, resulting in a subtle/not so subtle decline in our health and well-being.

Recharging our batteries through Traditional Japanese Acupuncture can optimize our ability to enjoy life to its fullest!

Last Tuesday I finally managed to get myself from ‘Behind the Clinic Curtain’ to the other side, receiving an extremely rejuvenating Traditional Japanese Acupuncture treatment from my talented colleague and former number one clinical assistant, Efrat Sudai.

‘My sore and tender throat, dull nagging sinus pain, aching and lethargic body, upset tummy were greatly improved after one 45 minute session of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.’

The change in how I felt as a result of this treatment was nothing short of extraordinary and had me singing the praises of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture and the skill of Efrat with renewed vigor.

A big thank you to Efrat for her timely assistance in restoring my health and well-being, in the process reinforcing my awareness and understanding of the power of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture from the other side of the clinic curtain!

I am extremely grateful to have a practitioner of Efrat’s skill and expertise available for treatment and have already booked in for my next session!

During my 25 years in practice I have witnessed 100’s of positive treatment outcomes for patients suffering from low immunity, repeated doses of colds and flu with the subsequent lingering performance affecting afflictions, including sinus, cough, lethargy, achiness, headaches, general malaise or a feeling of ‘unwellness’ that settles upon us like a cloud, drastically affecting our sense of well – being and enjoyment of life.

Former Olympic swimmer Daniel Kowalski, former Brisbane Lions AFL star Alastair Lynch, newly appointed coach and former premiership captain of the Brisbane Lions, Michael Voss, current Brisbane Lions stars including Jonathan Brown,  Daniel Merrett and Daniel Bradshaw, AFL veteran and Brownlow medalist Jason Akermanis and Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden have all used Traditional Japanese Acupuncture to maintain or recover their health and well-being, re-charge their batteries, improve their performance and lengthen their careers.

If Traditional Japanese Acupuncture is effective for elite athletes under immense physical, mental and emotional pressure then it stands to reason that there could be significant benefit available for us mere mortals.

Using the underlying treatment rationale of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture a skilled practitioner can work with the Wei Qi (defensive energy/immune system) and Gu Qi (ingestion, assimilation, nourishment and conversion to nutritive energy), influencing the energetic core of our bodies known in an extremely beneficial way.

After commencing regular Traditional Japanese Acupuncture treatment, Olympic swimmer Daniel Kowalski went from suffering repeated viral and bacterial infections that were threatening his ability to compete at the 2000 Olympic Games and compromising his swimming career to enjoying robust good health and a blemish free record not suffering one incident of flu or viral infection during the final three years of his career.

To view the video of a short interview with Daniel just click on this  image.

We all have our own personal Olympics on a daily basis, so much to do in so little time and the constant effort of maintaining this cracking pace is definitely taking a toll on the overall health and well-being of many of us in the 21st century.

Practitioners of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture are trained to harmonize and balance the bodies’ energy with the aim of reinforcing improved health.

This gentle and refined style of acupuncture is not only effective in treating pain and discomfort; it can be an enormously powerful treatment for stress relief and strengthening our immune systems.

Many patients have reported a sense of rejuvenation, increased vitality, improved cold and flu resistance, enhanced sleep and better digestion as a result of treatment.

As astute practitioners of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture your improved health and well-being is our number one treatment priority!

A VERY SPECIAL WELCOME TO EFRAT SUDAI

www.efratsudai.com

After 10 years of traveling to Brisbane to avoid a debilitating overdose of the Coolangatta to Brisbane peak hour commute, I have revised my schedule and invited Efrat Sudai to practice from my rooms at the Queensland Sports Medicine Centre on Tuesday mornings.

Efrat has been an outstanding student of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture since the beginning of the century.

After several years of study, intensive on the job training and clinical practice, she has evolved into a fully accredited, extremely talented and highly skilled practitioner.

Allowing Efrat to treat me is extreme testimony to her skill and proficiency, I am massively particular about who practices Acupuncture on me!

Specializing in Pre-and Post Natal Care, Pediatric Acupuncture, Natural Fertility and IVF patient support programs, Efrat is totally committed to the health and well being of her clients.

Her recruitment is a wonderful plus for the center, as yet another talented practitioner joins the awesome team at the Queensland Sports Medicine Center.

This change will mean increased longevity in practice for me, extended appointment times and more treatment options for you.

I will continue to be available for treatment Tuesday afternoons, all day Thursdays and Saturday mornings.

Efrat will be available for treatment Tuesday mornings from 8:30 a.m.

Click on this image to the view the video of a complete Traditional Japanese Acupuncture treatment for severe flu symptoms that I performed on Efrat a few weeks ago.

How sweet it is that Efrat was able to return the favor as  described above.

Sunday night and as darkness falls, lightning is cracking and thunder rolling as an early spring storm rolls in.

Thanks for reading,

Alan

Alan Jansson is an internationally recognized teacher and practitioner of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.  For well over a decade, independent of and in conjunction with Masakazu Ikeda sensei and Edward Obaidey, Alan has presented, convened and hosted in the vicinity of 30 Traditional Japanese Acupuncture workshops in Australia, New Zealand and USA. Driven by a strong desire to promote the consumer friendly nature, clinical efficacy and potency of Meridian Based Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, Alan is a staunch advocate of practically based workshops and draws upon his 25 years clinical experience and 14 years post and undergraduate teaching in a concerted effort to lift the bar globally in the clinical application of this most amazing medical art.

Join him in Exploring the Art of Acupuncture in the 21st century at WorldAcupunctureblog.com

For more info, please visit: WorldAcupuncture.com

I hope all is well in your world, it is Saturday 5:30 a.m. morning down under in the spring winds are blowing.

Firstly, I would like to congratulate Kayomi and Andrea on passing their California Boards.
LOTSA from down under!

Kayomi, Andrea n Adam at the San Diego Workshop June 2008

Whilst on the subject of L.Ac’s in San Diego.

I spent a couple of hours on the phone with Adam Gries yesterday recording added commentary for the video of Adam’s acupuncture treatment assisting Joe in his recovery  from a severe spinal cord injury.
At Adam’s request I will be climbing new virtual mountain and dubbing over the original audio.

The very special insights that Adam provides whilst commentating on his treatment will be worth the wait.

The climbing of another virtual mountain will result in the delayed publication of the video of this extraordinary treatment and another big learning curve for me.

Andy Rosenfarb has just released his exceptional book, ‘Healing your Eyes with Chinese Medicine ’ in audio format.

This authoritative, clinically based book would be an invaluable addition to any serious clinicians acupuncture library.

If you are a practitioner of Acupuncture in the USA I believe this site will be of great value to you.
Like WebMD for traditional medicine, altMD.com attracts thousands of consumers each month who are interested in complementary and alternative medicine and they are totally focused on connecting with health and wellness practitioners like you. Best of all, you can list your practice on altMD.com for FREE by contacting Joel Fellman at joel@altMD.com.

He asked me to tell my friends in Acupuncture in the US, he would be pleased to give them an upgraded Premium Level Listing on altMD as a professional courtesy – with both our compliments.
I have found Joel to be seriously helpful, even inspirational to work with.

He definitely walks the talk!

Have a good one…

Alan

Hope all is good with you.

I have spent much of this week uploading, downloading, editing and rendering video of Adam Gries treatment of Joe who is recovering from a severe spinal cord injury.

Stay tuned for that one, both Adam and Joe are writing accompanying pieces to go with the video.

Debra Bett’s http://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/ has asked me a few very relevant questions regarding Traditional Japanese Acupuncture for childbirth and I have done my best to answer her questions.

Hi Alan
Thanks for the positive write up !
Have tried to find the breech moxa but stumbling around on your website – would like to put the list your site and how to get to the breech part on a powerpoint slide – if thats ok with you can you send instructions – I did find the nausea moxabustion – very interesting – will try that with the next stubborn case – I take it that its five rice grain moxa’s per foot – or do you diagnostic criteria for when to use or how many rice grain moxas to use ?
Great to meet you and thanks again for the kind words
Debra

Hello Debra,

It appears that I have led you up the garden path re breech moxa video, having 40 odd published videos I can become a little confused about what is published and what is not.

I believe I do have video of the scarring moxibustion for breech babies but will have to search my video library to find it, my apologies.

However the technique is not dissimilar to that used for nausea and morning sickness except we are using BL.67 instead.

Re Nausea I have found the extra point on the sole of the foot below ST-44 to be quite good, however you will notice that in the following excerpt Ikeda sensei recommends alternative points.

I often use up to 20 cones of moxa on this point but that is just my experience.

Re breech rice grain moxa on BL 67 I believe Ikeda sensei is referring to expediting a relatively normal birth when he mentions 3-5 cones of moxibustion.

In clinic I often use many more cones when the baby is in breech position and the Gynecologist is putting the heat on the mother to have a C-section.

I believe it is important for the mum’s psychological well – being to stimulate the movement of the baby ASAP .

Takes a lot of the pressure off, indeed with Megan this was the case especially since she was carrying a big baby weighing in at 10lb 8 oz.

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Here is an excerpt from Ikeda sensei’s brilliant book

THE PRACTICE OF JAPANESE ACUPUNCTURE AND MOXIBUSTION

Classic Principles in Action

IKEDA MASAKAZU

Translated by

EDWARD OBAIDEY

EASTLAND PRESS • SEATTLE

Treatment

It is said that scarring moxibustion at M-LE-1 (ura nai te/li nèi ting) is good for morning sickness, but I have not found it to be particularly useful. I have found that it more effective to treat hard points located just lateral to BL-58 until they soften.

I also personally do not treat points on the upper body if there is nausea, as I believe that these disperse the yang qi, which is a very precious commodity for pregnant women.

However, Fukaya, the master of moxibustion, recommended scarring moxibustion at GV- 11, GV-10, CV-18, and CV-17.

As a preventive measure against miscarriage, salt moxibustion is recommended at CV-8.

This is done by burning moxa cones on a bed of salt that has been packed into the navel until the patient feels the warmth. The treatment can be done either before conception or during the pregnancy.

Edema during pregnancy can be treated by scarring moxibustion at SP-6; however, I find that KI-8 is more effective.

Colds during pregnancy are treated as a pattern of Lung deficiency/yang deficiency/heat.

After the root treatment, contact needling should be administered on the upper back and shoulders.

At the same time, tonifying LU-5 and shunting LI-4 will also deal with the stiff shoulders that develop secondary to a cold during pregnancy.

Applying scarring moxibustion at SP-6 is a well-known technique for nourishing the fetus and encouraging the health of the mother.

To my knowledge, the first person to present this publicly in modern times was Ishino Shinyasu, a doctor who published an article on this subject in the Journal of the Japanese Oriental Medical Society in 1960.

It was also mentioned in Edo period texts.

The technique should begin in the third month of pregnancy. If the mother feels good during the treatment, 30 to 50 moxa cones can be safely burned. However, if the point location is incorrect, the treatment can feel very hot to the mother. This is a sign to stop and relocate the point again.

This is true for moxibustion in general during pregnancy.

Scarring moxibustion at SP-6 is also effective for lower back pain, constipation and hemorrhoids during pregnancy.

If the hemorrhoids do not respond to the treatment, then administer scarring moxibustion on LU-6 instead;

If the constipation does not respond to the treatment, then administer scarring moxibustion on SI-4 instead. The pattern that is commonly seen in cases of lower back pain is Liver deficiency/yin deficiency/heat. In

addition to the root treatment, contact needling and heat perception moxibustion over the

local area, plus needling to BL-58 and BL-59, should be performed.

During pregnancy, I do not retain needles in the lower back.

If the birth looks as if it is going to be delayed, I usually recommend that the mother take leisurely walks, as this helps the fetus to descend and encourages a safe birth.

If this ineffective, the fetus is either in a breach position or this is the mother’s first baby, both of which can result in a difficult birth.

Scarring moxibustion using three to five moxa cones at BL-67 should be administered to facilitate the birth.

I hope this post helps with some of the treatment issues regarding acupuncture and moxibustion during pregnancy and childbirth.

Have a good one,

Alan