Treatment starts by taking a thorough case history – preferably completed online prior to the first consultation. This is followed by pulse taking and by careful palpation (pressing) of certain key reflexes on the abdomen, chest and neck. The choice of acupuncture points will depend on and be led by these findings.
This style of Japanese acupuncture uses very fine needles to correct the energetic imbalances which have been diagnosed via the palpation and questioning. The patient will rarely feel much more than the mildest pin prick (indeed strong pain is likely to prevent the treatment working) but will be aware that the treatment is working through the changes that can be felt in the abdominal and other reflexes or symptoms.
“I rate James Booth as the best practitioner in acupuncture I have come across. James works very diligently, methodically and is also very intuitive. I highly recommend James and his caring approach to his work.”
— ANNA, SW8
A brief history of acupuncture in China and Japan
Acupuncture evolved in China 2500-3000 years ago and has survived the test of time, culture and competing medical practice. It arrived in Japan with Buddhism in the 6th century and has become widespread in the West since the 1960s.
Japanese Hara Acupuncture is based on the work of 20th century Japanese masters whose work was itself rooted in the classic Chinese texts. It was developed by Kiiko Matsumoto Sensei over the last 30 years or so. While it uses one of the oldest treatments known to man, it also makes use of a critical understanding of modern medicine.
The philosophy behind acupuncture
What makes this system so uniquely suited to modern life is that physical, emotional and mental are seen as interdependent, and reflect what many people perceive as the connection between the different aspects of their lives.
The focus of diagnosis is on the individual, not their illness, and all the symptoms are seen in relation to each other. Each patient is unique: two people with the same western medical diagnosis may well receive different acupuncture treatments.
A growing body of evidence-based clinical research shows that traditional acupuncture safely treats a wide range of common health problems, and the World Health Organisation considers acupuncture appropriate treatment for the following illnesses and symptoms:
- INFECTIONS: Colds and flu, sore throat, bronchitis.
- INTERNAL: asthma, hypertension, ulcers, colitis, indigestion, haemorrhoids, diarrhoea, constipation.
- HEAD: tinnitus, earache, dizziness, sinusitis, hay fever, headaches, migraine.
- SKIN: eczema, acne, shingles.
- MUSCULO-SKELETAL: frozen shoulder, back pain, tennis/golfer’s elbow, tendonitis, repetitive strain injury (RSI), trigeminal neuralgia, Bell’s Palsy, after-effects of stroke.
- MENTAL / EMOTIONAL: anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia.
- REPRODUCTIVE / GYNAECOLOGICAL: impotence, infertility, PMS, irregular or painful periods, morning sickness.