In Japan, many people receive acupuncture treatments regularly, but when they move to Bangkok, they often don’t know where to go for similar treatments. Can you receive the same kind of acupuncture in Thailand as in Japan?
In Thailand, acupuncture-specific clinics are not very common. Instead, there are clinics specializing in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). While Japan has a national certification system for acupuncturists, in Thailand, practitioners are certified as TCM doctors rather than acupuncturists.
What’s the Difference Between Japanese Acupuncturists and TCM Practitioners?
Japanese acupuncturists primarily use acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment. In contrast, TCM practitioners in Thailand also utilize other techniques such as cupping, Tui Na (massage), and herbal medicine prescriptions. Their training is broader, requiring five years of university study.
The fundamental practice of acupuncture—stimulating meridians—is similar to that of Japanese acupuncturists. However, one key difference is the use of guide tubes. In Japan, plastic guide tubes are commonly used to insert needles more precisely and with less pain. In Thailand and China, practitioners often don’t use guide tubes, which can make the process more painful.
At Pain Away Clinic, disposable guide tubes are used for acupuncture treatments. The TCM doctors at this clinic undergo three months of training in using guide tubes. Additionally, they spend over three months practicing how to locate muscle knots manually. This is because accurately stimulating muscle knots with acupuncture is challenging if the practitioner cannot identify them by touch.
For those who have tried local acupuncture in Thailand without noticeable results, it’s possible that the needles were not properly targeting muscle knots. Moreover, proper hygiene is essential to prevent infections, so it’s important to choose a clinic that prioritizes sanitation.
