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

It has taken me some time to get into gear for 2010.

The latter part of our spring and the first part of summer saw Rainbow Bay buffeted by unrelenting onshore winds and we were all but surf less for almost 10 weeks.

However, I’m absolutely delighted to report that since the 1^st January we have seen some pretty constant offshore winds, presenting us with some pristine surfing conditions.

Last Wednesday was the highlight when I gorged myself on head high waves and a number of 200 m rides.

Along with the socializing often equated with our summer holiday season, the lush surfing conditions made tying myself to a desk and writing well-nigh impossible, my apologies.

To make up for my erroneous ways I have included a few images taken yesterday and this morning of Rainbow Bay in today’s blog post.

I hope you enjoy.

The View from my balcony at Rainbow Bay, Australia

Rainbow Bay, Gold Coast, Australia

Nothing like a bit of Didgeridoo to brighten up an already splendid morning

Beachgoers lapping up the sun at Rainbow Bay

Local surf instructor Davo and assistant preparing for another busy day

Japanese Acupuncture/Meridian Therapy preferred by Elite Tennis professional

In clinic last week Olga, a talented Ukrainian professional tennis player in town for the Brisbane lead up tournaments to the Australia open came into see me for Japanese acupuncture treatment.

By way of history she had received three Japanese acupuncture treatments about the same time last year.

Obviously she enjoyed the experience and derived some benefit from her treatment.

Olga lamented the lack of practitioners of similar style acupuncture on the world tennis circuit.

As a result I have  undertaken to refer her to appropriate colleagues in the relevant cities in which I have a connection.

So far we have the Prague, Tokyo, New York and San Diego tournaments covered.

If you or someone you know practices Japanese acupuncture/Meridian therapy and the WTP world tour will be visiting your/their city at some time in 2010, http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tournaments/Event-Calendar.aspx , please email me alanatworldacupuncturedotcom and in turn I will send Olga your contact details.

Olga’s Treatment

Due in the main to the incredibly intense training regime and tournament schedule Olga adheres to, her symptoms and pulse I diagnosed her as Liver deficiency and used a Liv.8 – Ki.10 Root treatment, shunting GB.34.

In conjunction with her inherited constitution, a blending of lung, liver and kidney deficiencies, Olga naturally tends towards liver deficiency as a result of the extraordinary athletic effort required to become an elite tennis player, a sport that involves an unbelievable amount of intense running especially at the professional level.

The variations in the hardness of the surfaces upon which she trains and plays exact a severe toll upon her reserves of energy and her body’s cooling system, which according to traditional thinking is the primary responsibility of the Kidney complex.

It would be difficult to argue that the Kidney energy also plays a vital role in the harmonious function of the liver, enabling the liver to thoroughly cleanse the blood thus enhancing recovery from intense activity and literally preventing a meltdown.

Constant legwork during training plus an arduously regular competition places a huge load on three leg yin meridians contributing enormously to the load placed primarily on the Kidney and Liver Meridians.

In addition to the more internal workings of the Kidney and Bladder, the meridians are adjacent to each other at the insertion of the Achilles tendon on the heel.

Olga’s left Achilles tendon was the most adversely affected and palpation revealed areas around Ki.9, Sp.9 and the gallbladder meridian on the upper leg were exceptionally tender and tight.

After addressing the constitutional deficiencies via the root treatment I inserted the indicated back-shu points including ondan or moxa needle applied to BL.23.

Significant points of tenderness around the insertion of the Achilles tendon were located and either needles or rice grain moxibustion applied.

I also closely examined her lower legs for indurations and treated accordingly.

Olga specifically stated that no other treatment that she had come across was anywhere near as effective as Japanese Acupuncture/Meridian therapy including the use of cortisone and anti-inflammatory medication.

No more need be said!

We appreciate your interest and take your commitment to ‘Exploring the Art of Acupuncture’ seriously, having said that we are practitioners and students of Traditional Acupuncture first and foremost.

Our shortcomings in technology are many, we know we have a lot of room for improvement at http://worldacupuncture.com and will make every effort to continue to do so throughout 2010.

Kind regards,
Alan
PS.
Please feel free to ask questions and give feedback any time, thank you.

WORLD ACUPUNCTURE VIDEO UPDATES

Here are the latest updates for http://worldacupuncture.com

Our Chief Videographer, Andrew Beencke, is representing in China for the World Acupuncture Crew!

You can find the first of his reports here:

A Meridian Therapist in China, Week 1: Love at First Bite

http://www.worldacupuncture.com/public/193.cfm

Other  video updates for members this January include:

7/1/10: VIDEO: Super-Superficial Needle Technique: Japanese Acupuncture Skills Training.

http://www.worldacupuncture.com/members/196.cfm
Takashi Furure has studied acupuncture extensively in Japan and is a highly skilled practitioner. In this video, he demonstrates a super-superficial insertion technique.

14/1/10: VIDEO: Japanese Acupuncture Treatment for Fatigue, Poor Appetite: Part 1.

http://www.worldacupuncture.com/members/197.cfm Note: This link will only become active on 14/1/10.

Alan treats a student for fatigue and poor appetite. Japanese acupuncture is particularly effective for these common problems. In this video, Alan demonstrates the use of foot pulses to differentiate between Spleen and Kidney deficiency. First of two videos.

21/01/10: VIDEO: Glandular Fever Sequelae: Theory and Treatment in Japanese Acupuncture: Part 5.

http://www.worldacupuncture.com/members/195.cfm Note: This link will only become active on 21/1/10.

The fifth and final video in our Glandular Fever series. Further indepth theoretical discussion of treatment strategies is contained within!

28/1/10: VIDEO: Japanese Acupuncture Treatment for Fatigue, Poor Appetite: Part 2.

http://www.worldacupuncture.com/members/198.cfm Note: This link will only become active on 28/1/10.

Second and final video in this series. There is an interesting discussion of the various kinds of Yang deficiency syndromes and a demonstration of scatter needling. There is also an unusual root treatment.

You are welcome to enjoy this month’s videos! On behalf of the World Acupuncture Crew, I sincerely wish that this last year of the decade is a prosperous one for you all.

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 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

3 of these patients were diagnosed as Liver yang deficiency syndrome, that is where the Ying and Yang aspects of the liver meridian and organ are exhausted.

In this scenario the patient feels overwhelmed and they have great difficulty in dealing with many of the day-to-day details that they might normally taken in stride.

In addition in many cases they have a poor appetite, cannot think straight and although they are absolutely exhausted, many of these patients have great difficulty in relaxing and in some situations  suffer from various degrees of insomnia.

In the past week on3 separate occasions patients have returned after the previous treatment complaining of overwhelming fatigue and exhaustion immediately  after treatment.

I’m sure you’ll agree that this is not an ideal scenario, my clinical ideal being that patients feel relaxed and invigorated after each treatment.

One of the patients is a medical practitioner with a very delicate constitution, without going into great detail she has been diagnosed amongst other things with multiple sclerosis.

Another has been in constant pain after complicated surgery on her lower back and in the instance of patient has an ongoing history clearly demonstrating blood deficient.

In all instances these patients are relatively new clients, undergoing Japanese acupuncture treatment for a month or less.

The anomaly in each of these situations is that the patients had experienced significant beneficial results from previous treatments and it is a unique experience for me that three patients should feel exhausted immediately after treatment in the space of one week.

In each instance I re diagnosed the patient to confirm that my original diagnosis was still correct.

After an exhaustive examination I was satisfied that my diagnosis of liver yang deficiency was correct, this could only mean one thing, I had over zealously treated all of them.

The root treatment for each of these individuals was the same, Kidney 3, Liver 3 and Gall Bladder 40, in one instance with the addition of Spleen 1.

The back shu points were very similar in all instances and rice grain moxibustion was applied to the point Governing vessel through.

What this meant to me was that in my endeavor to assist them I had fallen into the trap of more is better.

In the case of liver yang deficiency syndrome this is most definitely not what we or the patient want!

So I bit the bullet and utilized the same treatment in all cases, however in each instance I shortened the treatment time by at least 10 minutes meaning that each of the patients lay prone with the back shu points in position for no more than 15 minutes and I increased my awareness of depth of needling, focusing on more intention and less depth.

Whilst chastened by the fact that all three patients had responded so poorly to my previous treatments I was determined to rectify the situation immediately.

It is with relief that I can report that in all three cases the patients felt significant improvement in their energetic well-being, mental acuity and emotional outlook immediately after treatment.

Phew, the trials and tribulations of refining my skill and awareness in the practice of Traditional Japanese acupuncture remain constant and challenging and it is with a sense of gratitude to Masakazu Ikeda sensei that I write this report.

His guidance through many workshops and visits to Japan has helped me immeasurably to deal with situations such as the one I’ve just outlined.

His ability to recognize when the patients require the most gentle of touches in addition to his highly refined clinical skills have set the bar very high indeed.

Had I not had the privilege of witnessing and in some instances experiencing the benefit of his acupuncture intelligence, I have no doubt at all that all of the patients mentioned would be languishing in the squalor of overwhelming lethargy and fatigue at a time when the demands on each and every one of us are so great.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest and commitment in refining and developing your critical acumen and skills in the practice of Traditional Acupuncture.

I wish you and yours a peaceful, joyous Christmas and great prosperity for the New Year.

Kind Regards,

Alan

A few images of me pursuing a recreational past time that puts a smile on my face follows.

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

http://acupuncturehealth.net/wounded_warrior.php

Yesterday, Sunday OZ time, I took my old friend, one time  patient, incredibly dedicated dad and ex champion marathon runner Russell Foley, a visitor from Tasmania  for a stroll around ma hood,  Point Danger and Rainbow Bay, the following images popped up for the taking.

Hope you enjoy and you have a good one!

Lotsa,

Alan

Lid Rider Rockin at D’Bah

Lid Rider Rock’d at D’Bah

SHOW TIME

ACT II

Taking It All In

Yikes !!!

I Want OUTTA here NOW!

Amphibious Action

Cruisin’

Brush Turkey also enjoying the day

Wot Up Bro?

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

As was the case last Sunday, the ocean  was producing some  magic and the hordes descended on my lil beachside village.

Just a Few of Todays Crew

The Boys on Hand Just In Case

More Crew

A Few More Frothing Souls

Just A Few Lookin To Get Aboard

Resulting In Madness and Mayhem

Game, Paddle, Set

One Way To Avoid Heavy Traffic

And Yet More Crew

YES, that is a FIN !

Fortunately the fins belonged to friendly natives

Uh Oh!

Gotcha !

One Barrel Comin Up

Another

Smokin Parallel Lines

Good Trick If You can Do It

Yeeeewwwwwwwwww

Clinic has been busy and there seems to be a much more optimistic air about the place.

David, Adam,Andrew and Efrat,  day one clinic 2009.

The last three months of 2008 saw very little rideable surf and constant onshore winds battering the northern New South Wales and southern Queensland coastlines.

At Rainbow Bay in 2009 we have had almost 2 weeks of excellent waves and weather off the top shelf, beautiful clear days and offshore winds.

Here are just a few images, there were much larger waves but I was too busy working,  surfing or recreating too capture any images. These images were taken at Greenmount, Gold Coast, Australia late  in the evening.

Looking from Greenmount north to Surfers Paradise

A helmet can come in handy, especially when it gets crowded and random acts of madness occur.

Surfers going every which way

Stokin the fires, an eloquent statement fo sho.

Laid back on lil one.

A nice set of waves n a seagull enjoying the view.

Waiting, just a few of the crew.

Same crew, waiting is over.

Snapper Rocks and Rainbow Bay

Looked up on the way home

I trust that you too have been able to thoroughly enjoy the lush beginnings of a new year and this e-mail finds you relaxed and rejuvenated, ready for the challenges that lie ahead.

Many patients have asked me whether I treat myself, the answer in a nutshell is yes, however the range of treatments I can perform on myself are somewhat limited by the length of my arms and my subsequent inability to reach some of the vital points on the back.

Due to many hours of paddling in the surf my right shoulder, damaged in a nasty motor vehicle accident 18 months ago, started playing up, pain and weakness being the main symptoms.

On Sunday night whilst cricketer David Warner was smashing a majestic 89 off a test series winning South African pace bowling attack I kicked back on my lounge suite and proceeded to poke and prod my shoulder, upper arm and forearm to locate the specific points of blockage.

I inserted needles in the appropriate places and contented with the entertainment provided so kindly by David Warner gently stimulated said needles.

Without question, as a result of my self treatment I was in much better shape for my early morning surf on Monday and excellent surf it was.

I don’t often treat myself but the ability to do so has aided and abetted my health and well-being on a number of occasions.

Like most of us I tend to hold back on looking after myself, however the positive outcome that I experienced as a result of my self treatment has inspired me to be more consistent in this department in 2009.

This year I will be preparing a series of videos explaining some of the intricacies of Traditional Acupuncture for the consumer, these videos will be available to members of http://www.worldacupuncture.com and I will be doing my best to make them suitable for circulation to your patients.
I trust that these videos will help to answer many of the questions that I and no doubt you, have been asked about how acupuncture works.

Kind Regards,
Alan

PS.
I am leaving for New Zealand tomorrow afternoon Sat. 17th Jan. and returning on Tuesday, February 3rd. There will be no posts from me until then as I will be computer free n easy

It seems like yesterday that I was last in the land of the long white cloud, however in reality it has been two years since I last visited this scenic wonderland.

I look forward to my 26th year in practice with relish and I thank you for reading this post.

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

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed some beautiful hues in the afternoon sky.

I grabbed my camera, threw a leg over my bike and high tailed it to Greenmount but a 2 minute ride away.

These images are a result of my late afternoon interlude.

Hope you enjoy.

Take care to have some fun,

Alan

Hope you enjoy and all is well in your world.

Alan