Shonishin: Japanese "Non-Insertive" Pediatric Acupuncture (ACUP - 12SHON11)

Parents, children and practitioners like Shonishin because it is not painful and is thus not scary to the child. Shonishin effectively treats numerous conditions common in childhood and fortifies a child’s vital energy, thereby helping strengthen their constitution and maintain health. It has a wide application and is easily adapted to the clinical practice of the individual acupuncturist. Modified forms of it can also be taught to parents for home therapy to augment the treatment process.

This workshop is designed for both novice and experienced practitioners; no experience in Traditional Japanese Medicine is necessary. The focus throughout this workshop will be on practical skill development and you will learn new skills that can be immediately applied in your clinical practice.  

We begin with an overview of the history and development of Shonishin in Japan. Diagnostic assessment and treatment strategies will be covered and ample time to practice techniques with various tools will be provided. The most common pediatric conditions will be discussed (i.e.. respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, nervous system disorders, ADHA, ear infections, and sleep disturbances). Demonstration of learned techniques will occur via clinical theatre, and ample time will be provided for questions and answers.

Upon completion of the seminar you will be able to:

• Describe how to diagnose infants and children from a Nan Jing perspective
• Demonstrate a basic use of the enshin and/or zanshin
• Apply a basic and very general Shonishin treatment
• Discuss the history of Shonishin
• Define the four core constitutional types or patterns presented in the Nan Jing
• Explain how infants and children differ energetically from adults
• Explain why children’s treatment approaches differ from adults

Brenda Loew, MAc, EAMP has a family practice in Seattle specializing in Japanese-style acupuncture (particularly Toyohari Meridian Therapy, Shonishin Pediatric Therapy and Manaka Yin-Yang Channel Balancing Therapy). She has travelled to Japan regularly since 1996 for continued studies with senior Japanese Toyohari teachers and completed the first Advanced Toyohari training offered outside of Japan (in Amsterdam). She has been an authorized instructor in the Toyohari Association since 1998.

Brenda was on the faculty of the Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NIAOM) from 1994-2002, and since then has been adjunct faculty at Wu Hsing Tao School in Seattle and Pacific Rim College in Victoria, B.C.  She has also served on the Continuing Education faculty for Bastyr University and the Institute for Traditional Medicine in Toronto, Canada, as well as taught Toyohari Meridian Therapy and Shonishin around North America. She is the former President of the Toyohari Association of North America (TANA) from 1998 to 2012 and is a co-founding member of the Japanese Acupuncture Institute, LLC which offers a Certificate in Japanese Acupuncture. Her publication  Layperson’s Guide to Japanese Pediatric Acupuncture (Shonishin) will be published soon. She can be reached at gentleacupuncture@earthlink.net  or at www.japaneseacupuncture.org

Cost Notes
NCCAOM PDAs approved for LAc's
CEUs approved for LAc's licensed in CA

Course Notes
If you have a child (or have a client with a child) that you would like to receive a demonstration treatment, please contact Bastyr via email. All participants should wear clothes that allow easy access to abdomen, legs & arms. If you have Yoneyama zanshins, teishins or enshins, kindly bring them to class.

This style of pediatric acupuncture can be used by any acupuncturist regardless of style of practice. A Shonishin kit is helpful but not required. Brenda will have some kits available for you to try.

The optional book, Shonishin: Japanese Pediatric Acupuncture (DVD included), by Stephen Birch, is available in the Bastyr Bookstore.  Call ahead for availability: 425-602-3026.

Location: Bastyr University Kenmore Campus, room 40. Bastyr University is housed in an older facility with fluctuating interior temperatures; it is advisable to wear layers. Also, Bastyr is a “fragrance-free” campus.

One hour lunch break – Bring a sack lunch or eat in Bastyr’s dining commons.