The general term moxibustion means the burning of the herb mugwort near or on acupuncture points. In the case with kyutoshin, it refers to the mugwort being placed on top of the needle head and then lit. The medicinal property of the herb in combination with the heat that is generated has the effect to penetrate down the needle shaft and go to a deeper level.
Traditional medicine looks at the body as having a number of energetic layers including the wei and ying levels. The wei level could be referred to as the external or protective level and the ying as the nutritive level which lies somewhat deeper to the skin. The deepest level is at the bone level.
In some instances the practitioner will aim to supplement the energies at a deeper level and does this by encouraging the warming and penetrating actions of the kyutoshin technique.
Depending on what the body requires, techniques to reduce areas of excess energy or supplementing areas of defiiency and weakness are required. Kyutoshin technique is primarily used for supplementing and adding energy to weak and deficient conditions.
What is an example of a weak and deficient condition?
Imbalanced lifestyle and long term unprotected exposure to cold and damp can cause a weakness in the kidney energy leading to low back pain and stiffness. Other symptoms such as urination problems and tiredness may also arise and the treatment is tonify and supplement and warm the kidneys. Specially selected kidney acupuncture points on the low back are needled and then the mugwort is placed on the head of the needle.
Can you use the kyutoshin method in the treatment of musculo-skeletal disorders?
Injuries are often a mix of deficient and excess imbalances. Often there is an underlying weakness in one organ system that has created a susceptibilty for an injury to occur. The treatment for example, could involve reducing the pain and inflammation at the injury site whilst at the same time supplementing the spleen energy to help the body produce more energy and blood.
What is ondan?
This where the herb mugowrt has been specially prepared into small charcoal pieces which are placed into small baskets and put on the head of the needle.
Does it burn the skin?
A small guard is placed on the skin to prevent burning. Patients end up feeling a very enjoyable slow,penetrating warm bake and often remark they can feel the heat penetrating very deeply. The effect is often felt for some time after the treatment.
I am a practitioner and would like to learn about kyutoshin
Alan Jansson who heads World Acupuncture has delivered over 70 workshops around the world including Australia, New Zealand, USA, Indonesia, South America and Europe. He will be presenting for the first time in Wellington, New Zealand, in January 2019. The two day introductory workshop will be open to New Zealand accredited ACC acupuncture treatment providers. The workshop will cover all aspects of traditional Japanese acupuncture including kyutoshin and specifically you will learn how
- select specific acupuncture points commonly used for kyutoshin
- make the protective guards
- apply the ondan in clinical settings
To read more about the workshop or register for the weekend please visit here
Watch this video of what you could learn about kyutoshin at the workshop
