As you may know adult onset chickenpox can be extremely severe resulting in diabolical headaches, overwhelming lethargy, high fever, aches and pains in every nook and cranny of the body and the dubious potential of permanent scarring from the lesions that result from such an infection.

Following is a brief case history of my treatment using Traditional Japanese Acupuncture to ameliorate the severity of the symptoms.

The ability to assist her in these circumstances is yet another reason why I am extremely grateful to be practitioner of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.

1st treatment
Tuesday
Symptoms
Diabolical headaches, overwhelming lethargy, high fever, aches and pains in every nook and cranny of the body including aching of the bones and the lesions that result from such an infection and night sweats.

All of the above symptoms were present, however the debilitating headaches that were particularly severe at night and continuing throughout the day dominated.

When Naomi called me early on Tuesday morning prior to learning that she had chickenpox we  agreed that she should seek an immediate medical examination to gain a fuller insight into her condition.

Acupuncture treatment was administered very soon after the medical examination, the doctor was unsure regarding the diagnosis of Naomi’s condition, however test results received the following day confirmed she had chickenpox.

Traditional Japanese Acupuncture diagnosis:

In this the first of the treatments I was mistaken in my diagnosis, having been swayed by the high level of aching in the bones I misdiagnosed Naomi’s syndrome as Lung deficient Liver excess fever syndrome.

Treatment.
Tonify with slightly deeper needling (approximately 3 mm) the water point of the Lung meridian Lu 5, a slightly shallower needling technique was used to tonify the metal point of the Kidney meridian Ki 7 and an extremely shallow tonifying technique was utilized on the fire point of the Kidney meridian Ki 2 (to control the amount of efficient heat affecting the upper heater particulate the heart)

The Liver meridian was dispersed utilizing the fire point  Liv2. and GB 41 was shunted to alleviate the heat accumulating in the gall bladder meridian at its uppermost level, the head.
Also shunted was the point SI 3 as the pulse showed great heat at the Taiyang level.

Back Shu points BL 13, 17, 18, 20, 23, 40, 58 also included in this phase of the treatment were the points GB 20, 21,30

Treatment was somewhat successful, spontaneously easing Naomi’s headache and all of her other symptoms.

Improvement lasted overnight but by the following day the headaches and many of the related symptoms were back again, she had enjoyed temporary respite but was still in trouble and experiencing great difficulty in moving at all without her head feeling like it was going to explode.

2nd treatment
Thursday
Traditional Japanese Acupuncture diagnosis
At this point I changed my diagnosis to Spleen deficiency Liver excess fever syndrome as a result of only being able to alleviate the symptoms temporarily.

Treatment
Tonify the earth point of the Pericardium meridian Pe 7 and earth point of the Spleen meridian Sp 3.
Tonify the fire point of the Kidney meridian Ki 2.
Disperse the fire point of the liver meridian Liv 2 and shunt GB 41.
Back Shu points BL 13, 18, 20, 23, 40, 58 also included in this phase of the treatment were the points GB 20, 21.
Naomi experienced immediate and sustained relief from her symptoms, especially the headaches.

3rd treatment
Saturday
Naomi was much improved although she was still suffering from less severe headaches and had developed some nausea on the Friday.

Treatment.
Tonify the earth point of the Pericardium meridian Pe 7 and earth point of the Spleen meridian Sp 3.

Disperse the fire point of the liver meridian LIV 2 and shunt ST 44,           GB 41, Si 3
Back Shu points BL 13, 18, 20, 23, 40, 58 also included in this phase of the treatment were the points GB 19, 20 plus GV 20.

Once again her improvement was immediate and sustained.

She reported this morning (Monday) that she was feeling much, much better.
No headaches at all and all other symptoms were pretty well resolved.
Fortunately she had experienced limited lesions and most of these have just about healed.

Tomorrow morning Naomi will be visiting the doctor for clearance to resume her work as a nurse and in the afternoon she will be having a back up Acupuncture treatment to reduce the potential of relapse.

I consider it a real blessing to have been able to help my daughter through her illness.

Adult onset chickenpox has the potential to cause some serious damage to the unfortunate sufferer with meningitis being extremely high on the list.

That she even feels like going back to work within a week of discovering the source of her headaches etc is extraordinary.

It is up to her medical practitioner to decide whether she can resume work without the risk of infecting others.

Once again I acknowledge and thank Masakazu Ikeda sensei for enlightening me regards the clinical potency, relevant theoretical understanding and extraordinary therapeutic flexibility of Traditional Acupuncture.

I trust this post me of some clinical value to you, my most esteemed reader.

Kind Regards,                                                                                                                                 Alan

PS.

You are welcome to peruse the following  culinary images captured during my recent sojourn to Japan.

The Golden Arches accompanied by a full moon

Sake, Sake,Sake

Mmmmm, da menu

Sake !

Cupid on the Loose

Le Chef

Yakotori Chicken Allsorts Including heart, liver, feet, etc.

Sushimi on da house

A fond farewell from Le Chef

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.

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

At sensei’s clinic in Imabari, Japan, conversation was at a premium, a direct result of my diabolical Japanese literacy levels.

Ikeda sensei’s teaching was almost exclusively in the doing and my learning was in direct proportion to my awareness.

It was imperative that my focus be on song and I put aside all egocentric tendencies and share the common ground of patient welfare, positive intent and focused awareness.

Observing Ikeda sensei delivered a size 10 energetic boot to my backside, I have absolutely no room for complacency and much room for development.

Development in any ‘hands on’ field does not occur simply by thinking about it.

The level of awareness and willingness to do the hard yards are essential components of our successful development as skilled practitioners, opening the door to the highly refined and therapeutically potent ‘Art’ of Traditional Acupuncture.

No one said it was easy and a real devotion to the refinement of our skills is required for us to deliver increasingly powerful and effective acupuncture treatment.

I was and remain inspired by the impressive willingness of the Japanese students to continually develop and refine their skills through practice.

Their commitment to cellular learning in conjunction with the development of intellectual understanding and acceptance that skill comes from practice seems so balanced, a logical extension of the philosophy upon which this medicine is traditionally based.

I remain in awe of Ikeda sensei’s capacity to molecularly mould to the patient with his left hand, his seriously honed/forged needling and palpation skills, clarity of focus and purpose are inspirational.

As a result I have increased the use of my left hand dramatically through extended abdominal and meridian palpation.

I am also doing my best to ensure that tactile preparation of meridians and points is done with an increased awareness and sensitivity of the potential for energetic change in the patient.

Greater awareness of my left hand and the subsequent information received from and signals sent the patient have become top priority as I seek to implement my learning.

In a subtle, almost osmotic way, some of the powerful sense of serenity and purpose that resonated throughout Ikeda sensei’s clinic has found its way into my molecular fabric.

I trust that my patients feel the difference.

Sincerely,

Alan

PS.

Some lush images of Imabari, Japan follow.

Gambling, Japanese style. You can being able the feeling of my ecstasy. It is beginning an origin of the enchantment that always enchants you. I making also wish me more feeling. Enough reward bounces if the ecstasy thing can be done me.

Night Lights of Imabari

Imagine……

Win, lose or draw they will always love you??? Now can you be won?  There is tomorrow even if fallen. Are not you decisively turning ahead and fighting? I will always be waiting with PAO. It is good though always comes

HARD OFF, BOOK OFF, OFF HOUSE

Rice paddy, just minutes away from Ikeda sensei’s clinic.

More agricultural endeavor.

New Homes and Gardens, Japanese-style.

Emphatic symmetry

Simply awesome.

Tantalizingly textual.

Maximum utilization of arable land.

Manhole cover, every picture tells a story.

Do the right thing….

Some of the first cherry blossoms.

A MacMuffin disappears down the hatch.

Ohyo Gazaimus?

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

Welcome to the next stage in my journey to Imabari, Japan to visit Masakazu Ikeda sensei in an effort to further develop my skill in and understanding of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.

Today I am posting the final images of my stay in Shin-Osaka and selected images taken during my train journey from Shin-Osaka to Imabari.

The journey entailed a quick blast on the ‘Shinkansen’ to Okayama and a more leisurely ride aboard the ‘Shiokaze’ from Okayama to Imabari.

The further we traveled from Osaka the more my language limitations became evident as all signs and  announcements aboard the ‘Shiokaze’ were in Japanese only.

Fortunately for me I was able to recognize the names of the cities as we travelled over the massive and incredibly impressive bridge from the main island of Honshu to the home of Ikeda sensei on the smaller island of Shikoku.

I hope the images provide you with some pertinent insights into this fascinating journey.

Kind Regards,

Alan

Variety is the spice of life

Most impressive 3 star chandelier I have ever seen

Likewise the Entrance to New Osaka Hotel

Japanese TV

A chilly Osaka spring 9 deg C coming from a balmy Oz autumn 25 deg C average.

Says it all

Shin-Osaka Station

The ‘Shinkansen’ runs on time every time, mine is Nozomi 5

Absolutely no options for this gaijin at the news stand

That’s my carriage, will be within millimetres of this sign

Nozomi 5, on time to the second

One mean looking train, don’t want to get in it’s way!

Time to chill out as we pass the outskirts of Osaka bound for Okayama

Service is exemplary, the conductors bowing as they enter and depart the carriage regularly

Wndow Seat

Aboard the ‘Shiokaze Express’ Okayama to Imabari, rail map of  the island of Shikoku

Lost in translation yet again

Shikoku is country Japan, note the comprehensive rail service.   A large poulation does have it’s advantages.

English signage dissappears as we head bush.

School children at play, a similar story worldwide.

Last glimpse of Honshu as we near the bridge over not so troubled waters.

View from the incredibly impressive bridge from Honshu to Shikoku

Seto Great Bridge, Honshu-Sakaide, Japan

Japanese, Seto Ōhashia

A series of suspension bridges spanning the Inland Sea (Seto-naikai) between the islands of Honshu and Shikoku, Japan. The double-tiered rail and vehicular roadway is a network of six bridges, straddling a chain of five small islands, and extends 5.6 miles (9 km) over water to link the towns of Kojima, on Honshu, and Sakaide, on Shikoku. Its total length is 7.6 miles (12.2 km), and it consists of three main suspensions—the longest being the central span of Minami Bisan–Seto Bridge, at 3,667 feet (1,118 m). The Seto Great Bridge took 10 years to build and was opened on April 10, 1988.

It’s a long way down.

Light Industry at Sakaide ?

Maybe not so light !

Energy Confidence

Train fascination

Country Temple, Shikoku

Twas a grey day on Shikoku

Ageless

Mountains of Shikoku

A familiar and welcome sight indeed. Ikeda sensei’s clinic in Imabari

Thanks for viewing my images, I hope I have been able to transmit a little of the essence of rail travel in Japan in this post.

Hope you have a great day.

Kind Regards,

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.Worldacupunctureblog.com

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

Here a few more images of my visit to Japan.

I stayed at the  ‘New Osaka Hotel’ just a stones throw from Shin- Osaka station, where I eventually boarded the  ‘Shinkansen’ to Okayama.

A very reasonable rate of US$70 including breakfast was available through ‘Hotel Travel.com‘ and there was an awesome restaurant just up the road.

I am very grateful to  Keiko for taking the time and making the effort to meet me at Kansai airport.

Her assistance in purchasing my rail tickets was absolutely invaluable and helped make  my arrival in Japan a real pleasure.

Hope you enjoy the images, I sure enjoyed taking them.

Lotsa,

Alan

6th Floor please, Keiko to the rescue

Keiko heading off after a late night feast at a local restaurant

Late night reconnaissance at Shin-Osaka station

Yike, my illiteracy comes to the fore!

Phew….

Enough of this reconnaissance stuff, it’s time to hit the sack

Home for the night

Just press the button

Grand Entrance New Osaka Hotel, pretty impressive for the price.

Guess Who?

Almost home

Compact but comfy

Tardus bathroom

Mmmm….having cleansed my posterior as per instructions it was good night and good luck.

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

Hope you enjoy !

Lotsa,

Alan

‘StarClass’,  Japan keen patient Dan advised that I might upgrade at check in for A$250, after over an hour in the queue I thought it was a great idea.

Northern NSW, Australia with Mt. Warning in the background

Kingscliffe Beach, NSW, Australia

A few G’s and we were up, up and away

Into the Clouds

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 trust that the sensory perceptions received by me in the clinic of Japanese master acupuncturist Masakazu Ikeda sensei will come into play in the most positive way for my patients when I recommence Acupuncture practice in clinic this week.

For it is here, in the world of unspoken action that the true meaning of my visit to Imabari lies.

Ikeda sensei’s clinic in Imabari, Japan

Precious few words were exchanged during my visit, due in the main to my incredibly poor Japanese language skills and the Japanese custom of passing on clinical skills through observation and practice, first and foremost.

Masakazu Ikeda, Imabari, March 2009

I spent my time either watching Ikeda sensei or his students practicing in clinic, reading in it’s entirety, ‘Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, Fundamentals of Meridian Therapy ‘, written in the main by Ikeda sensei on behalf of the Society of Traditional Japanese Medicine, watching on DVD Ikeda sensei’s groundbreaking 3 day Traditional Japanese Acupuncture workshop at Bond University in August 1996 on the Gold Coast, eating or sleeping.

Awesome deshi, Ayako, Takeshi, Mai, Yasunori

As a crack of thunder crashes across the evening sky my body wrestles with the climatic differences of southern Japan and the Gold Coast.

There were a couple of days where the maximum temperature did not get into double digits.

One of a number of sources of Yang energy in clinic, note the Yin energy perched atop the flame.

Yet another source of energy, a gift to Ikeda sensei from me on behalf of Australian Acupuncturists in August 1996.

I am unsure what the minimum temperatures were, other than to say that a full rug up was required immediately upon sunset.

From the moment I left Kansai airport on the outskirts of Osaka Japan until I returned I did not see a single gaijin (Westerner).

In a nutshell, my journey was incredibly challenging, sometimes humorous and ultimately rewarding on both personal and professional levels.

From the inevitable frustrations of being ‘lost in translation’ at all levels of life including eating, to the deep and abiding social politeness of Japanese culture my awareness was fully challenged.

Ikeda sensei with his dedicated and fully committed deshi.

I trust that these challenges and the subsequent learning is transmitted through my practice of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, my patients benefit in the utmost and my students are cognitive of subtle change in my hands.

I am starting to see double which I take as a sign for me to close.

More thunder and lightning reinforces this decision.

I hope you are well and happy.

Lotsa,
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.Worldacupunctureblog.com

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

After what has been an extremely busy week in clinic I am preparing to leave for Japan tomorrow morning.

My visit to Imabari on the Island of Shikoku in Southern Japan to observe at Masakazu Ikeda sensei’s clinic will be my first in 7 years and my anticipation grows by the hour.

I unashamadely model my mentoring program on my experience in the clinics of Edward Obaidey and Masakazu of Ikeda sensei.

Without question in my mind, this form of passing on clinically relevant Traditional Acupuncture skills and diagnostic protocols is by far and away the most effective learning experience available to the keen student of Traditional Acupuncture today.

The fact that this method of passing on clinically relevant experience and wisdom has been in existence for thousands of years testifies to it’s efficacy.

Certainly from my experience both as a teacher and student of Traditional Acupuncture this has been proven on countless occaisions.

From being the teacher in both my Brisbane and Gold Coast clinics I will once again be a student as I do my level best to osmose as much of the skill, expertise, wisdom and experience that Ikeda sensei exudes during my stay over the next week.

Always challenging, refining my practice of Traditional Acupuncture moves to another level entirely in Ikeda sensei’s clinic.

Nothing can adequately prepare me for this experience and it is very much a case of sink or swim.

As a surfer there is only one option,  take a big breath, dive in and paddle to the best of my ability.

There is no doubt that I will be confronted with my inadequacies and shortcomings as a practitioner as the clarity and preciseness of Ikeda sensei’s clinical abitlities come to light.

It then becomes a case of  eating much humble pie as the chasm between Ikeda sensei and myself  is exposed to the light of day.

Imabari is a little chilly at this time of year with the maximum temperature varying between 5degC and 12degC at this time of year.

Phew it will be some change climatically and clinically.

Next post upon my return in a little over a week.

Take care to have some fun.

Lotsa,

Alan

Ikeda Sensei treating Tom during a study group in Imabari in 2001

Ikeda sensei, Edward Obaidey and myself, Brisbane 1998

Former No 1 and 2 Deshi, Tonchan and Korochan at Ikeda sensei’s clinic, 2001

This was the first time I had seen a child treated with Acupuncture, Korochan performed the treatment, supervised by Ikeda sensei in 2001

Imabari 1998

Yours truly, Tonchan, Jaimee, Korochan, Oksan (Ikeda sensei’s wife), Sensei and Esther

Looking over the Rice Paddies towards Ikeda sensei’s clinic in 2001, I believe paddies have disappeared under the weight of development in the meantime.

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

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