Did you know that a failure invented the world standard of Acupuncture Needling System?

Most of the disposable acupuncture needles come with the plastic tube called "Guide Tube". It is called "Shin-Kan (鍼管)" in Japanese language meaning "Needling Tube".

Back in mid-Edo period during the isolation of country in Japan, many culture and arts were refined and the acupuncture was one of it. This is the time when TCM was modified to adapt with people and culture of Japan. As urbanization was progressed, human body's sensibility was developed. In other words, people became more sensitive to the stimulation. Big thick acupuncture needles was back dated then. Along with refined technological know-how, they were able to produce much finer acupuncture needles to less invade human's body.

Acupuncture needles are inserted into the body for treatment purpose, but are still a foreign substances to the body which create friction (=stress) to the body. Japanese people thought of giving minimum stimulation with maximum efficacy of treatment.

Now needles are much smaller in size. Less than half the size in diameter. As you all know, big thick needle like the purple colored one is so easy to insert. Because it's almost like a metal rod! It is more difficult to insert thinner needles. Why? It wiggles! If you force to insert, it will bend and won't go in.

Mr. Waichi Sugiyama who invented the guide tube to easily insert finer needle was failure and kicked out from his master. He was not good at acupuncture inserting finer needle. He did not want to give up and instead he was in search of tool and technique to nicely insert finer needles. This was the invention of Kan-Shin-Hou (Guide Tube Needling Technique 管鍼法). And just to make a note of it, he was a totally blind man.

Now with the great effort of Seirin Acupuncture Needles who has the biggest share in disposable needles in the world, this Japanese Style Needle Insertion System was standardized world wide.

There is a big problems now. Most of the people who were not trained to be an acupuncturist does not know this historical back ground which lead you to know the proper and right way to use these tools and its meaning behind it.

For example, why 4 to 5 mm of the needle handle is sticking out of the guide tube? Why not 7 to 8 mm? Why you should strike it instead of pushing WITHOUT hitting the guide tube?

I'd like to cover this topic in the next discussion. Meanwhile, I welcome your thoughts (guess?).