Teishin - Contact Needle

Teishin, a “contact needling”, is a non-insertive needle technique that uses a needle only on the surface of the skin, without penetrating, to activate points. It relies heavily on monitoring the pulse of the patient and the sensitivity of the practitioner. This technique is used for the root treatment according to the meridian theory. In Japan, non-insertive techniques are increasingly used by Toyohari and other Meridian therapy groups to treat patients of any age.

Toyohari originally developed by blind master – Kodo Fukushima in Japan. The treatment relies heavily on pulse diagnosis. Changes in the pulse characteristics indicate to the practitioner that the treatment is complete.

During a consultation, a medical history is taken, and the Hara, the meridians & channels are palpated to gain insight into the root of the patient's problem. Once the acupoint is located, the practitioner forms an ‘oshide’ at the surface of the skin. In the ‘root treatment’ of Toyohari, the Qi is manipulated with the tip of the needle only very lightly touching.

The practitioner awaits the arrival of Qi and applies the needling techniques, depending on whether the aim is to tonify or disperse.

"The nature of Toyohari treatments, placing great emphasis on the use of pulse diagnosis and palpation skills, is well suited to the sensitivity of these blind Japanese practitioners. The theoretical foundation of these treatment techniques is derived primarily from the Asian medical classic the Nan Jing, with influences from the Nei Jing, the Su Wen, and the Ling Shu."

For more information: https://www.toyohari.org/

Reference:
Society of Traditional Japanese Medicine,‎ Kuwahara, T. Koei, “Traditional Japanese Acupuncture: Fundamentals of Meridian Therapy”, Complementary Medicine Press, 2003

Toyohari Association of North America (TANA), https://www.toyohari.org/