How does Chinese acupuncture differ from Japanese acupuncture?

Since Japan was introduced to Chinese medicine way back in the sixth century, it has formed its own style of acupuncture that differs from Chinese acupuncture in a number of ways, even taking into account the various traditions of Japanese and Chinese acupuncture.

One difference lies in the diagnostic procedures, before any acupuncture even takes place. Fuku shin or hara diagnosis, in which an acupuncturist feels the abdomen, is a distinctive feature of the process of determining which acupuncture points to use for a Japanese acupuncture treatment. However, Chinese and Japanese acupuncture treatments are both informed by pulse diagnosis, in which an acupuncturist feels the pulses at both wrists.

Another integral part of Japanese acupuncture is the insertion of acupuncture needles by placing them inside tubes called guide tubes. Guide tubes were invented by a blind Japanese acupuncturist named Waichi Sugiyama, who, according to one variation of the story, tripped over a stone and fell down after praying for guidance on how to expand his acupuncture skills and was inspired by a pine needle inside of a hollow piece of bamboo he found on the ground. Since its invention in Japan, the method of using guide tubes to insert acupuncture needles has been incorporated into Chinese acupuncture as well, although acupuncture needles can be inserted “freehand” (without guide tubes) instead.

Depth of acupuncture needle insertion also varies between Chinese and Japanese acupuncture. Japanese acupuncture is very minimally insertive, with the acupuncture needles just barely penetrating the skin, in some traditions by no more than half of a millimeter! As a result, the acupuncture needles are not likely to elicit sensation. Chinese acupuncture, on the other hand, favors deeper insertion of the acupuncture needles, and can elicit a range of normal sensations. In some traditions of Chinese acupuncture a strong but not uncomfortable sensation is considered essential for therapeutic effect.

While acupuncture originated in China, it’s important to recognize that nearby regions such as Japan and Korea developed their own styles of acupuncture that have also shaped the application of “Chinese” medicine.