Toyohari - is a method of acupuncture developed in
Japan.
It is an extremely gentle yet powerful treatment. It was founded by Kodo Fukushima, a well known blind acupuncturist (many
acupuncturists are blind in Japan), who went on to found the
Toyohari Association in Japan just over 40 years ago. The
theory of Toyohari is rooted in the Chinese classical texts of acupuncture, which are over 2000 years old. The practice however
uses innovative new techniques, including the use of needles made of different metals such as silver, gold, copper and zinc.
Another remarkable development is the technique of "contact needling", where a silver needle or probe is held on or over the
skin, without penetrating it. This technique is very helpful for treating children and for individuals who don't like the
sensation associated with needling in other forms of acupuncture.
The founders of Toyohari were mainly blind and consequently relied heavily on the sense of touch. New methods
of diagnosis and treatment have been developed over the years relying on touch, gently palpating and stroking the abdomen,
neck, back and what are known as the meridians or channels of energy (qi), which flow through the body. Toyohari acupuncturists
who use this approach in Japan are highly respected. Today
there are over 1,000 Toyohari acupuncturists in Japan and
in recent years a number of practitioners have been trained throughout the west. Once qualified, a Toyohari practitioner makes
a commitment to continuing professional development and attends monthly study groups allowing them to remain a member of the
Toyohari Association.
There is no such thing as 'normal' acupuncture as it has evolved and developed in many different historical
and cultural contexts since its origins in ancient China.
There are many different styles of acupuncture used today although the most common and widely used is known as TCM (Traditional
Chinese Medicine). This is part of the core curriculum of study for a basic acupuncture qualification in the Australia.
The study of Toyohari is at a post-graduate level in the Australia,
which means your practitioner has already qualified as an acupuncturist before training in Toyohari. Your practitioner may
choose to use Toyohari or use a different approach depending on what they feel is best for your condition. On occasion, different
styles may be combined during a treatment depending on how your practitioner chooses to work.
What is a treatment like?
Treatment is a very relaxing experience. First the details of your case will be taken. Then you will lie on the treatment
couch and the practitioner will gently palpate your abdomen and feel the pulse at the wrist. She or he will then set to work
to address the underlying imbalances with contact needling over selected points on the body or stroking the skin with a rounded
silver Toyohari instrument called an enshin (it looks a bit like a solid silver lollipop!) or sanshin (like a tiny silver
cone). A technique called moxibustion may also be used to apply warmth to certain points. You may experience little more than
a sensation of warmth or tingling as the points are stimulated. The whole process is very relaxing. Most people feel a deep
sense of calm and wellbeing. The session itself is normally half an hour to an hour long.
What are the benefits of Toyohari?
Toyohari is very gentle so having a treatment is a relaxing and pleasant experience. The unique diagnostic techniques
developed in Toyohari enable practitioners to work to address problems that may respond more quickly to Toyohari than other
treatments. In particular working on musculo-skeletal problems especially around the neck and shoulders (known as the naso
region) can be very helpful in some cases. This treatment can be combined with other styles of acupuncture or other types
of complementary therapy such as osteopathy or chiropractic where its use may enhance or speed recovery. As mentioned previously
the fact that it is painless means it is very useful to treat children.
