Tom Hurrle practices acupuncture in Chicago. He offers Traditional Japanese Acupuncture - also known as Japanese Meridian Therapy and Japanese Palpatory Acupuncture. This acupuncture style is rare in Chicago. It very gentle.

Some Context: Traditional Japanese Acupuncture

Traditional Japanese Acupuncture is named for its dedication to ideas originating in early classic texts of Chinese medicine, which came to Japan in the 7th century A.D. One of those texts, the Nan Jing [c.250 A.D.] was taken up by some Japanese practitioners in the 1920's. They began study groups based on its ideas. They met and discussed how parts of the text might be applied in clinical practice. When their discussions reached a point of agreement, they would test the agreed on technique in their practices. Meeting again, they compared results. They focused on point selection, point location, and needle technique. Their evaluation was clinical: did the techniques work well with their patients?

They attracted followers because of their clinical success. The method known as Meridian Therapy blossomed in the '50s and '60s. Now it is one of many styles practiced in Japan.

Senior teachers began to come to the U.S. in the '80s and '90s. The Toyohari Association of Tokyo started a wonderful training program in the early '90s. The delightful Shudo Denmai Sensei published a fine book Introduction to Meridian Therapy, translated by Stephen Brown of Seattle, and has taught in the U.S. [See image above: Shudo Sensei autographed Introduction to Meridian Therapy for me at his 1999 Hawaii seminar. The inscription reads "Acupuncture is your heart."]

Some practitioners in the U.S. are attracted to Meridian Therapy because it offers good results with very minimal needle stimulation. This is a particular advantage in treating people who do not tolerate "de Qi," a strong sensation at the point of needle insertion sought in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Meridian Therapy has come to describe a variety styles originating around the world. The Meridian Therapy Association of Tokyo, an umbrella association for the assorted meridian therapy styles in Japan, adopted the name Traditional Japanese Acupuncture to reflect the basis of this style in classic texts.

Procedure

I practice Traditional Japanese Acupuncture. I use very fine needles [.12mm-.18mm diameter], insert them mostly into the skin or subcutaneous tissue, [1mm-4mm], and often remove the needles in 20 to 40 seconds. I also use moxibustion, a technique for warming acupuncture points. NOTE: treatment without insertion of needles is an option.

The core of a treatment is always the 'root treatment'. Its goal is to supplement the acupuncture channels of deep internal organs [kidney, liver, lung, spleen] and uses 2 or 3 "Transport" points. 1-4 other acupuncture points are used to harmonize or reduce energy in other acupuncture channels. This tends to normalize the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. It is profoundly relaxing; it promotes homeostasis [harmony and efficiency in our organism]. The effect of each point used in the root treatment is assessed attentively. Pulse character, skin color and tonus are expected to improve. Treatment of presenting symptoms follows the root treatment.

Tense, debilitated or chronically ill people find this treatment restorative and useful in maintaining their health. Utter absence of side effects is a key characteristic.

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What Conditions Benefit?

I am a general practitioner, comfortable treating most issues.  Most people respond well to acupuncture. Traditional Japanese Acupuncture is particularly suited to those who are uncomfortable with strong needle stimulus, or are fatigued or otherwise weakened. I have helped a wide variety of complaints, so the following examples do not exclude other problems.

Most kinds of pain respond to treatment - headache, migraine, back pain, neck and shoulder pain, arthritic pain, and inflammatory conditions such as bursitis or tendonitis.

Conditions that are aggravated by stress  respond well - anxiety, mild depression, insomnia,  fatigue,  dermatitis, dysmenorrhea (PMS) and perimenopausal problems.

If the immune system is overactive or under active, acupuncture helps re-establish balance - allergies, hay fever, recurrent colds, sinusitis, wheezing or asthma.

Gastric problems - gastritis, nausea, acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, Barretts Esophagus get better when qi circulation is adjusted.

Acupuncture is useful in aiding recovery from surgery or aggressive medical treatment that leaves the body weakened. It is useful to ameliorate the side effects of chemotherapy.

Experience with martial arts training led me to familiarity with treating trauma - sprains, strains, bruises, broken bones.

Infertility is often related to insufficient blood and/or qi. My treatment style is especially suited to supplementing, building the reserves needed to conceive.

 Pediatric treatment without the use of needles for allergies, asthma, colic, ear infections, ADHD, Chiari malformation. I am trained in Shonishin, Japanese pediatric acupuncture.

Treatment reduces the effort needed to maintain homeostasis; it makes things easier. If you are anxious, tense, tired of pain, or just worn out you will appreciate this.

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My Experience

My acupuncture experience in Chicago includes work in a hospital-based Integrative Medicine Center, in a geriatric medicine office, and in my home office. In the first two  locations I gained experience treating those undergoing cancer therapy as well as other conditions associated with aging.

Since 1997 I have focused exclusively on developing the art of acupuncture based on palpation. The sensitivity I use in treatment was first exercised through the study of shiatsu and energy healing in the early 1970's.  I believe that the practitioner acts as a conduit for qi. A conduit needs to be open, so I use daily qigong and seated meditation to cultivate stance and relaxation.

I find that those who are sensitive to changes in their body/mind respond well. The sensitivity comes many ways: athletic endeavor, meditation practice, and prolonged mental or physical discomfort are examples. Children are naturally sensitive and do respond well.

When treating an acupuncture point, it is important that there be a sign of effectiveness; this is called the arrival of Qi. A classic description of the arrival of Qi is: "It is as though the wind has blown away the clouds, exposing a clear blue sky". This image conveys the benefit I aim for: a relief from oppression, a sense of clarity, a feeling of well-being.

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How many treatments are required?

Your general state of health, your lifestyle, and the problem's duration influence the number of treatments. An otherwise healthy person may require just two or three treatments. Conditions that have endured for months or years usually take more.

Treatment is a learning process; your body learns new patterns of response and the acupuncturist learns what is most effective for you. This learning is especially rapid in the first two or three sessions. Usually five treatments are the point when the results should be evaluated. In some cases, no more are needed. With chronic problems longer treatment is often needed, but some benefit should be felt by this point.

Usually treatments are weekly, though more often is good for acute symptoms. When the initial complaint is better, treatment may be continued at less frequent intervals - biweekly, monthly, quarterly. The goal is to maintain the pattern of health acupuncture helped create. Treatment when your complaint is not active helps the body maintain a higher level of well-being.

I graduated from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine, an accredited Master's level program, and passed both the acupuncture and Chinese Herbology national board exams of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine [NCCAOM]. I am a faculty member at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago, and Treasurer of the Illinois Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

I hold a certificate from the Toyohari Association, Tokyo, Japan for completion of a course in that delicate style of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture. I  have studied in seminar with senior Traditional Japanese Acupuncture practitioners, including Shudo Denmai, Masakazu Ikeda, Aikizo Okada, Michioshi Baba, Sorimachi Dai-ichi, and Stephen Brown. These studies include a generous portion of hands on training in palpation and needle technique that is not available in Illinois at this writing. 

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Where To See Me In Lincoln Square, at the address below. To schedule: Call 773-878-7150 Tom Hurrle, L.Ac. 2719 W. Ainslie, Chicago, IL 60625 tel. +773-878-7150 fax. +773-878-7153 Diplomate, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology, NCCAOM Member Illinois State Acupuncture Association I'll be happy to hear your comments or questions. email: tom@vitaldirections.com

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