Acupuncture is an ancient practice dating back to at least 300 years B.C.E., with some theories even postulating that it is several millennia older. With such a long history, it is natural that many different types of acupuncture developed over the years. In this article, we will discuss the unique characteristics of the most prominent styles of acupuncture, with the end goal of helping you make an informed decision about which type of acupuncture is best suited for you.
On that note, we should start where this ancient practice began.
Types of Acupuncture by Country of Origin
The short- and long-term benefits of acupuncture depend on multiple factors, such as the condition that is being treated and the patient’s unique health situation, the training and skill of the acupuncturist, the frequency of acupuncture sessions, and, yes, the type of acupuncture that is being used. When it comes to the different types of acupuncture that exist, the first distinction can be made based on where the specific style was developed – starting with the country where this healing technique was first used:
Chinese Acupuncture
Although there are some alternative theories, it is generally considered that acupuncture originates from China and it is one of the cornerstones of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The first writings about acupuncture as an organized system of diagnosis and treatment can be found in the Huangdi Neijing, often translated as The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine, which is dated to around 300 B.C.E.
Chinese acupuncture is based on the belief that Qi, a person’s life energy, flows through the body through energy channels called meridians. A disruption or imbalance in the flow of Qi can cause many kinds of health issues that can have both physical and mental/emotional manifestations. The insertion and manipulation of needles into unique points on the body, called acupoints, can restore the flow of Qi to promote healing.
Chinese acupuncture is the foundational type of acupuncture and is used to treat many sorts of conditions, from chronic pain to irregular menstrual cycles to stress and anxiety.
Japanese Acupuncture
The history of acupuncture in Japan dates to approximately the 6th century C.E., when the practice was brought over from China (potentially via Korea). In the following millennia and a half, this type of acupuncture has developed many unique characteristics; if we were to directly compare Japanese vs. Chinese acupuncture, it could be said that Japanese acupuncture is gentler.
While this style of acupuncture is also based on restoring a balanced flow of Qi, Japanese acupuncture practitioners use thinner needles and the needles themselves are inserted more shallowly than what is standard in traditional Chinese acupuncture. Similarly, a Japanese acupuncture treatment often involves the use of fewer needles, thus stimulating fewer acupoints.
The diagnosis process is also slightly different – while practitioners of both styles may examine a patient’s tongue, face, eyes, nails, pulse, and abdomen and review a patient’s medical history before recommending a treatment, Japanese acupuncture focuses more on diagnostic touch, called palpitation. Interestingly, this focus on touch likely stems from the fact that acupuncture in Japan was originally practiced by the blind.
Korean Acupuncture
Korean acupuncture is also based on the belief in Qi and that manipulating acupoints can promote healing, however, what sets this type of acupuncture apart are the focus areas and the number of needles that are used. For one, Korean acupuncture treatments focus on a patient’s extremities, like the hands and feet, and the ears.
Another distinction is that standard Korean acupuncture protocols use only four needles split into two sets; one set is used to increase the amount of Qi in one organ system, while the other is used to sedate or reduce it in another. This is the reason that Korean acupuncture is also often called the four-needle style.
‘Western’ Acupuncture
‘Western’ acupuncture is not a unique type of acupuncture in itself, as acupuncture is relatively new in the West and has not had time to develop as the other styles. It would be more accurate to describe this type as a combination of different traditional styles and techniques, depending on the traditional style or styles a specific acupuncturist is trained in.
The key distinction is that the type of acupuncture practiced in the West is not necessarily based on the belief in Qi; more importantly, it is often accompanied by modern evidence-based medical practices – this is possibly the West’s biggest contribution to acupuncture.
While Western acupuncture has not developed any truly unique techniques that have not existed in the other types, it has contributed to establishing modern scientific standards that demonstrate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture, even when disregarding the existence of Qi, and contributed to understanding the underlying scientific principles.
Special Types of Acupuncture Techniques
Acupuncture can also be classified based on the special techniques or implements that are used, or the specific areas of focus. Some of the most popular types of acupuncture within this category are:
Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture involves inserting and manipulating acupuncture needles into acupoints, similar to traditional acupuncture. However, it also applies a small electric current to these needles to stimulate the points. This is done to potentially enhance the therapeutic effects of acupuncture for pain relief and other conditions.
Fire Acupuncture / Fire Needling
Fire acupuncture is another specialized acupuncture technique, originating in traditional Chinese medicine; it is different from regular acupuncture because red-hot needles are used. This method is thought to intensify stimulation at acupuncture points and recent research suggests that this type of acupuncture may be more effective at treating spasticity after strokers and varicose veins in the legs.
Needleless Acupuncture
Although the insertion of acupuncture needles into the body is the basis of acupuncture treatments, modern practitioners have been experimenting with techniques that could have comparable effects, without needle insertion. One of those methods is needleless acupuncture, where low-level lasers are used to stimulate acupoints. However, this is a very new technique and needs more study before claims about its effectiveness can be made.
Auricular Acupuncture
Auricular acupuncture is another specialized type of acupuncture, but the differentiation here is not made based on the implements used but on the focus area for this technique. So, what is auricular acupuncture? It is an acupuncture technique that stimulates points on the outer ear that correspond to specific organs and body regions with fiine needles, or even seeds and magnets. This approach is based on the idea that the ear is a microsystem that reflects the entire body.
Healing Modalities Adjacent to Acupuncture
Beyond the special types of acupuncture or specific styles we talked about, there are certain healing techniques that are done in conjunction and/or instead of acupuncture in certain situations. Three that stand out are:
- Acupressure: Acupressure is the practice of applying pressure to acupuncture points with fingers or even tools, instead of the needles used in acupuncture. When comparing acupressure vs. acupuncture, the underlying principles are the same; the difference is that the effectiveness of acupressure is generally less. It may be chosen over acupuncture if the patient cannot receive acupuncture treatments because of certain health conditions, if they have a very strong aversion to needles, or if an acupuncturist is not available.
- Dry Needling: To the untrained eye, it may appear as if there is no difference between dry needling vs. acupuncture, however, dry needling is (still) considered a separate practice. Dry needling is a modern technique that is supposed to ease muscular pain by interesting the needles into ‘trigger points’, which are areas of knotted or hard muscle. Acupuncture, on the other hand, is a well-studied ancient practice that is used to treat musculoskeletal pain, but also many other conditions and symptoms.
Additionally, acupuncture is a highly regulated practice in the US – acupuncture practitioners must have state licenses and, in some states, federal licenses issued by the Nation Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine to practice acupuncture. Dry-needling has no comparable oversight as of yet.
- Cupping: Like acupuncture, cupping is another traditional Chinese medicine practice; it involves placing cups on the skin to create suction to promote blood flow and ease muscle tension. The benefits of cupping are similar to those of acupuncture for conditions like pain or inflammation relief, detoxification, and relaxation. Cupping can be used as a complementary treatment to acupuncture to increase its effectiveness or as individual therapy.
Which Type of Acupuncture Is the Best for You?
The benefits of each type of acupuncture style and technique will depend on your unique health situation and symptoms, so you should always consult a qualified practitioner before any type of acupuncture therapy. This is what we offer at BH Acuhealth Clinic. We are a licensed acupuncture clinic in Beverly Hills where Dr. Mitra Daneshrad offers acupuncture therapy.
Dr. Mitra is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine with over 25 years of experience in treating various conditions. After giving you a thorough examination, she will create a unique treatment plan that has the highest chance of success for your situation. If needed, she will consult and work with your other medical care providers to secure the highest degree of medical care possible. Dr. Mitra specializes in:
- Fertility acupuncture
- Acupuncture for IVF
- Acupuncture during pregnancy
- Women’s health acupuncture
- Acupuncture for emotional health and
- Acupuncture for pain management
At the BH Acuhealth Clinic, we also provide cupping physical therapy, both as a complementary and independent treatment. Schedule an appointment today so that we can discuss your situation and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
