The Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion Association
We represent professional, highly qualified acupuncture and moxa practitioners using styles of acupuncture that incorporate methods of diagnosis and treatment that have roots in Japan.
We are committed to helping our acupuncturists with the bigger strategic picture as well as with the every day clinical issues.
About JAMA
The Japanese Acupuncture and Moxa Association (JAMA) is a professional acupuncture association formed in 2022 by a group of practising acupuncturists. We wanted to create a new dynamic force within our industry that recognises the uniqueness of Acupuncture practised with characteristics from Japan such as palpation, gentle and non-insertion needling and moxibustion.
We want to advance our profession and support the interests of those who use methods originating from Japan to inform their practice.
We aim to promote the benefits of moxibustion and recognition for our contribution to acupuncture and our patients’ healthcare.
We want to facilitate innovation, communication and connection for practitioners and create a cultural and professional community.
We are here to promote our practices’ individuality, the depth of our learning, and our dedication to our craft.
JAMA members enjoy the benefits of our umbrella organisation, the Acupuncture Regulatory Authority (ARA).
We are a not-for-profit organisation that fully supports the interests of its practitioners, provides robust policies, procedures and guidelines and seeks to offer partnerships with organisations that bring value to our members. These include non-contract sharps disposal, discounted insurance through Balens, agreements with private medical insurers, low cost card payments, subsidised personalised practice leaflets and many more.
Upcoming events
Coming soon – Anatomy & Acupuncture Cadaveric CPD course – London 2025
Free Webinar- Treating Motor Function Impairment with acupuncture, YNSA and exercise
Watch this space for more exciting new developments and specialised training…..
Why Choose JAMA?
We Appreciate
We understand the depth of knowledge and training within our community of Japanese style practitioners. These gentle but highly effective techniques require regular practice and feedback and are an exceptional part of the Traditional East Asian Medicine traditions. We support all of our members by championing the larger strategic issues, such as the acupuncture landscape within the UK and acceptance of our practice as evidence-based medicine, to professional organisations involved in health care and the public.
We Belong
As JAMA, we are proud to be part of the wider family of over 1500 practitioners. We are diverse in techniques and culture, but we are united in our professionalism, effectiveness, and determination to drive the acupuncture agenda in the UK. Together we have one voice, and being under the umbrella of a larger organisation gives us the opportunity to generate discounts for our practitioners. Our insurance alone is discounted by 40%.
We Support
We will support our members professionally by producing up-to-date Professional Codes, Safe Clinical Practice and Guidance in all applicable areas. We also offer opportunities to increase and improve knowledge, skill, and supportive services. We are here if you need our support in your clinic and are always responsive. We provide the platform for a broader connection in the community of practitioners who enjoy the specialist area of Japanese-style acupuncture and moxibustion.
Types of Acupuncture & Moxibustion
This style of treatment is the system pioneered, developed, researched and refined over decades by Dr Manaka who was a Japanese surgeon. He discovered during the second world war that his biomedicine techniques were limited due to lack of equipment and medicines but found that using moxa and acupuncture offered a much wider scope and were often life-saving. His system uses gentle techniques with fine needles, shallow insertion and little stimulus and the use of pumping ion cords. His system is known for the four step process which involves abdominal diagnosis, a release of reactions on the abdomen on the front of the body, needling with moxa of reactive back-shu points, the addition of subtle exercises to release tension and finally steps to target symptoms. Initial training in Yin-Yang Balancing Treatment is 4 weekends over 4 months.
This style of acupuncture incorporates palpatory skills and body work to both inform and treat patients. Using both the hara and observations of the channels to incorporate a depth of feedback in treatment.
Meridian Therapy has a tradition of over 400 years old of training and developing techniques that are highly applicable for practitioners who are partially sighted. They are based on the diagnostic methods of gentle palpation of the channels of the body and in particular of the abdomen. Treatment is applied using very specifically designed tools that typically do not involve needle insertion. The tools used are made from metal and involve light rubbing, tapping and stroking. Silver sterile needles are used but not inserted. Today, Toyohari is practised in its originating country of Japan but is also thriving in Europe, US and Australasia. Following qualification in Toyohari, there is a system of regular collective practice to hone skills in both diagnosis and treatment. Initial Training in Toyohari is 120 hours over 9 months.
“Mastery consists of a thorough, advanced understanding of the basics.” Ikeda Masakazu
Ikeda Masakazu is widely recognised as the pre-eminent practitioner in Japan and a Master of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Herbal traditions. After graduating from a government accredited acupuncture and moxibustion school, he was initiated into the art of acupuncture and moxibustion by his elder brother, the late Ikeda Takio. Ikeda Takio was a torchbearer of the second generation of practitioners in Japan having trained and polished his clinical technique under Inoue Keiri, one of the pioneers of the neoclassical art in the Showa era.
Ikeda sensei has been practicing, studying and teaching traditional oriental medicine for over 50 years. He bases his approach on his deep study of the classics of Chinese medicine which include both parts of the Inner Classic (Basic Questions and Divine Pivot), the Classic of Difficulties, the Han herbal classic of herbal medicine the Discussion of Cold Damage and Essentials from the Golden Cabinet by Zhang Zhong-Jing and the Divine Husbandman’s Classic of the Material Medica. HIs in-depth study of the past combined with decades of clinical practice have lead him to understand that these are not different traditions that should be kept separate – they are merely different aspects of an integral whole which inform each other. To utilise any of these traditions in one own’s practice requires a good understanding of them all. This synthesis is one of the hallmarks of Ikeda sensei’s approach. The seemingly disparate strands of activity presented by TCM, Meridian Therapy, ToyoHari, Five Elements and herbal practitioners are all drawn together and understood as part of one unified body which Ikeda sensei has labeled TJM – “Traditional Japanese Medicine”.
Shonishin is a system of treating babies and children that was developed in Japan in the 17th and 18th Centuries that is still used today. It involves using special diagnostic and treatment techniques that involve tapping and stroking the meridians to have a balancing effect on the pathways. Although generally considered a pediatric style of treatment, it can be used for adults also. Shonishin is a popular gentle method of treating babies and children (0-12 years) today, and the most popular style practiced is the Daishi style, although the style developed by Master Nagano is also very popular.
YNSA which is also called “neuroacupuncture”, was developed in 1973 by a Japanese doctor named Toshikatsu Yamamoto.
Yamamoto discovered that using acupuncture on specific points on the scalp effects sensory and motor nerves in other places in the body. Thus, for example, it is possible to treat pain in the hand, using an acupuncture point on the scalp which corresponds to the hand.
In short, the various organs in our body are reflected in our scalp and can be treated effectively through acupuncture of the relevant points for each and every organ.
Moxibustion is the burning of a herb (typically mugwort) either directly or indirectly on the skin. It may be used on a needle in conjunction with acupuncture or directly in small distinct shapes and smouldered on the skin.
Our Board
We have an up-to-date view of acupuncture and its new classification within the medical sphere. We are committed to helping our acupuncturists with both the larger strategy as well as the smaller daily clinical issues making their lives a little easier and giving acupuncture, as an industry, the recognition it deserves.
What We Stand For
We want to make a real difference to our profession. Our working board consists of a dynamic team of Acupuncturists with management experience. We believe we understand your priorities and your challenges. We aim to provide real, tangible value to our members by changing the way that services are delivered, using our bulk purchasing power to gain discounts, offering professional advice for your business and you, and authoritative sources of information and nourishment for your career. We are responsive, agile and caring. We are always at the end of a phone.
We represent Traditional acupuncture practitioners who have an interest in Japanese styles of palpation, diagnosis and gentle needling techniques. If you are interested in becoming part of our JAMA Members, please Join us.
- Respect from the Healthcare Industry for our Practitioners
- Recognition for our skills sets
- Providing opportunities to deepen and expand our skills
- Supporting our Members proactively and when they need it
- Driving change where it benefits our industry
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Find a safe, highly qualified Acupuncturist near you
Be part of a community of professional Acupuncture Clinicians
Access huge discounts and an impressive benefits programme
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a connected community with mentoring, support and advice
- We offer access to a contract-free sharps disposal service
- We make change happen – during the pandemic, we enabled formal recognition as healthcare practitioners for our members
- We offer speed, agility and commitment to our members
- We aim to empower our members with the knowledge to be confident in their business
Find an Acupuncturist
The JAMA is a professional membership body representing highly qualified practitioners in the UK. Our members are located throughout the UK and Ireland. Discover the best practitioners in your local area.