Shen Acupuncture Clinic - © 2006
Toyohari is a a refined and gentle system of Japanese acupuncture in that it uses more delicate (often non-inserted) and specialised treatment methods, placing great emphasis on the use of pulse diagnosis and palpation skills. It was developed by blind acupuncturists who developed extraordinary sensitivity to Qi (vital energy). Today it includes both blind and sighted practitioners. It is a powerful therapeutic system for both preventing disease and maintaining health. Because of its gentle nature, it is particularly suitable for children, elderly people and anyone who is particularly sensitive to needles.
There are some obvious differences between Toyohari and other styles of acupuncture practice. Patients receiving treatment are most likely to notice that the Toyohari approach is more gentle and the practitioner’s touch and needling techniques feel lighter and less invasive.
A very important aspect of the treatment is the diagnosis, finding the correct fundamental imbalance in the person’s body – this is known as finding the sho (pattern). Other treatment is supportive and works on specific symptoms but if the correct sho is treated then the results are expected to be more effective and longer lasting. This is what makes this treatment completely different to the sort of acupuncture you might receive in a pain clinic for example, where most often only the symptoms are treated.
The imbalances of the Qi are mainly diagnosed from palpating the pulses and the abdomen. As with Traditional Chinese acupuncture a full case history is taken. A Toyohari treatment comprises the root treatment and the supportive treatment. In the root treatment, the imbalances in the meridians are adjusted, mostly by non-inserted needles or very shallowly inserted needles. The supportive treatment which both supports the root treatment and aims to relieve symptoms can incorporate various methods, including cupping and moxa.
Who are Toyohari practitioners
The study of Toyohari is at a post-graduate level. This means that your practitioner has already qualified as an acupuncturist either in the UK or abroad before training for one year at post-graduate level in Toyohari.
