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The Gentle Precision of Japanese Acupuncture

AN APPROACH THAT FOCUSES ON CLARITY AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE BODY

Holistic Wellness 5 Minute Read

IN JAPANESE ACUPUNCTURE, WELLBEING BEGINS WITH LISTENING TO THE BODY’S INNER VOICE, SAYS ACUPUNCTURIST NANAMI YAMABE. NOW A RESIDENT PRACTITIONER AT COMO SHAMBHALA PARROT CAY IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS, HER UNIQUE METHOD OF PALPATION DIAGNOSIS ALLOWS HER TO CHECK ON THE BODY’S INTERNAL BALANCE, CREATING A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE WHOLE PERSON.

IN THIS COMO CONVERSATION, YAMABE EXPLAINS WHAT MAKES JAPANESE ACUPUNCTURE SO SPECIAL AND HOW HER CULTURE COMPLEMENTS THE WAY SHE TREATS HER CLIENTS. 

On Japanese acupuncture

Nanami Yamabe

Nanami Yamabe is a Japanese acupuncturist and Shiatsu specialist with nearly a decade’s experience in the art of holistic healing. Yamabe’s treatments achieve long-term results for conditions such as targeted muscle and nerve pain, digestive issues, insomnia, migraines and headaches, fatigue and women’s health.


 

HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY IN JAPANESE ACUPUNCTURE?

I was born and raised in Japan. My family loved natural remedies — my father loved acupuncture and had a session every week, while my mother believed that a healthy body came from good food, good air, and good exercise. We didn’t take medication or visit the hospital often, and relied on the body’s natural healing ability to recover. My upbringing formed the roots of my interest in acupuncture and Japanese therapies, but it was my struggle with health issues that allowed me to experience its effects firsthand. I had eczema, pneumonia, and digestive issues as a child, which led to me being very weak as a teenager. My father brought me to his acupuncture clinic, and I started a course of acupuncture treatments, which brought me plenty of relief and helped me to heal over time. I was also able to walk and move more easily,  I slept so much better, and I became less temperamental as well. I was surprised and amazed at the benefits of acupuncture on my physical and mental state, and decided to enroll in acupuncture school at eighteen. 

After graduation, I honed my craft in a traditional acupuncture clinic, a female-only clinic that focused on beauty treatments, and a sports acupuncture clinic to broaden my scope. I also worked in a hospital, which gave me the opportunity to treat more serious conditions and understand how I could support patients as an acupuncturist. 

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR PRACTICE?

I like that it’s very gentle and precise, and a full-body, holistic way of treatment. I’m actually afraid of needles and pain, so I love acupuncture for its complete lack of pain and its effectiveness as a treatment. Acupuncture can treat a wide range of complex conditions, from restoring internal imbalances and balancing the hormones, to regulating digestion and the autonomic nervous system, without any side effects. And it’s suitable for everyone, from children to the elderly. I’m always pleasantly surprised at the body’s ability to heal through acupuncture, even though some conditions may seem too severe.

WHAT MAKES YOUR STYLE OF JAPANESE ACUPUNCTURE UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT FROM OTHER STYLES OF ACUPUNCTURE?

The Japanese style of acupuncture is very gentle, and very fine needles are used. I also use the Palpation Diagnosis to carefully check the pulse, abdomen, and skin condition to find out what the body is trying to tell me — there is a deep focus on carefully listening to the small whispers and hidden feelings within the body, which then allows me to choose the most appropriate points and techniques to guide the body back into balance. My style of Palpation Diagnosis combines techniques from acupuncture school, and my mentor at the traditional acupuncture clinic, who was blind. I observe the way the client moves and physical markers such as the tongue, facial colour, the way they speak, and the sound of their breath. Sometimes, their bodies may also produce a smell, and in Traditional Chinese Medicine, each internal organ is related to a specific smell — for example, a sour smell could indicate an issue with the liver, or a burning smell could indicate a heart condition. Then I check their pulse, abdomen, and meridian lines, which helps me to check the condition of their internal organs. 

There’s a phrase from the foundational text of traditional Chinese medicine, the Nan Jing, that reminds me how important it is to truly feel and understand what the body is saying, and to not just follow theory. That’s what I love about Japanese acupuncture! it’s not about fixing something from the outside, but about reconnecting with the body’s inner voice. 

HOW DO YOU “FEEL” THE BODY’S UNEASE THROUGH PALPATION DIAGNOSIS?

When I check the meridian lines, I feel points of stagnation and determine what their condition and what they need from where the stagnation is. These are “alive points,” where the energy that flows within the body is stuck or unusually active. These points may feel different from the surrounding skin — they can be slightly sunken, dry, moist, warm, stretched, or have a different texture. And when I insert the needles, it can sometimes feel rubbery, or have the consistency of konjac. These points can change depending on the person’s condition that day. Using Palpation Diagnosis to approach a client’s condition feels more personal and intuitive — it’s like working with the body in real time, not just following a map. 

Most people don’t know the root cause of their discomfort. They may come to me for neck pain, but during the course of Palpation Diagnosis, other symptoms, like lack of sleep, reveal themselves to me, which helps me determine the root cause of their pain.


 

HOW DOES SHIATSU AND MOXIBUSTION COMPLEMENT ACUPUNCTURE?

Shiatsu is a whole-body acupressure dry massage, and I use it to help my clients release tension in the body. During the course of the treatment, I can also feel the meridian lines, which helps me understand their body more. I usually recommend a combination of shiatsu and acupuncture, where shiatsu first helps to relax the body before the acupuncture comes in. 

For moxibustion, I burn mugwort on or near the body. It is a herb that's typically used in Japanese therapies, and burning it helps to expel "coldness" from the body while warming the joints at the same. It is especially comforting for those with joint pain and cold hands and feet, as it helps to improve blood circulation in the body. While acupuncture helps with joint pain, it can be dangerous to go too deep with the needles in areas like the knee, so moxibustion helps to further reduce knee pain, which is a common condition in many. 

DOES CULTURE PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE WAY YOU OBSERVE AND TREAT YOUR PATIENTS?

Yes it does. Over the last ten years, I’ve observed that the way patients carry stress, express pain, and even talk about their health can vary greatly depending on their cultural background. In Japan, humility and modesty are highly valued, so patients often don’t openly express their discomfort or stress. Many try to endure silently and avoid burdening others. This cultural background has influenced my approach to treatment, teaching me to pay close attention to subtle changes in the body, as well as non-verbal cues like facial expressions, breathing, and posture. By understanding these unspoken signs, I can better assess a patient’s condition and provide treatment that respects their quiet strength while addressing their health concerns.

Working abroad has helped me see things in new ways, but it has also made me value my Japanese style even more. Being in a different place has helped me better understand how to treat and communicate with people from different languages, cultures, and lifestyles, but it’s also made me more focused on staying true to my own style. I’ve become more flexible in approach, while keeping the main ideas of my practice.

As a Japanese acupuncturist, I see my background as a unique strength. I can honor Japan’s traditional, introspective approach while also incorporating the more open and expressive communication found in other cultures. Ultimately, acupuncture is not just about treating the body but about understanding the whole person — in mind, body, and spirit. 

Nanami Yamabe is a resident practitioner at COMO Shambhala Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos. To book a session with her or learn more about the therapies available, click here. 

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