Explore Theory

Non Insertion Acupuncture utilizes primarily a tool called the teishin. It is described among the “9 Needles” of the Nei Jing, in passages such as Ling Shu 1 and Su Wen 54. In the West the standard filiform is best known, but it is just one of these classical needles with particular indications and uses, and the teishin is another described in some specificity.  “Each of the nine needles has a name and a distinct shape… The third is called the spoon needle. Its length is three and one-half cun… The spoon needle has a point which is as sharp as a grain of millet. It controls the channels by touch, not by penetration, so as to bring about the qi. ” (Ling Shu 1, trans. Wu, p2-3). While teishin are used in common practice in the acupuncture traditions of Japan, they remain an anomaly in TCM and are usually absent in the clinic. Pediatric Acupuncture also uses many of the nine needles and if a filiform needle is needed it is not retained , just inserted then removed quickly but mostly include non insertion tools from a kit called Shoni Shin.

Many Japanese masters have developed styles that primarily or partially include work with a teishin including Dr Manaka, Dr Bear, Master Seino, and Toyohari method which is primary practiced by blind practitioners in Japan.  Dr. Manakas Book “Chasing the Dragons Tail” explores and researches into different polarities and stimulation of acupuncture points including the 8 Extraordinary Vessels that run internally in the body. Gold and copper have a positive polarity to tonify a point while silver and zinc have negative polarity to sedate.

I originally trained in the style by Master Seino, in my practice I primarily use my silver teishin which sedates the nerve bundle from excess firing caused by excess stress or repetitive strain. The gold teishin is reserved when working scar rejuvenation or tonifying mental emotional points on the ear. Seino style includes an approach where we work with a three-step treatment plan to gain best results. 1. Balance the body 2. Build the Yin (strengthen the body) 3. address Yang excess (release the pain).  The three Treatments should be booked within a two weeks time frame so they can build upon each other. These three treatments address a layer of disfunction or pain, depending on how long the issue has been there subsequent Yin/Yang treatments may be indicated. However even from the first treatment of where we start to balance the body, relief or progress should be felt.

Daily Stress or wear and tear of the body is natural. Preventively sixty or ninety minute maintenance sessions are recommended every four to six weeks. In these sessions we re-address balance in the body and work with the extraordinary vessel of the Dai-Mai (the belt) using a technique of Yin-Sotai, Taiji and Tui-na (Chinese bodywork and Massage) to get you back to an enhanced state of wellbeing.