Volume 5, Number 4 | Winter 2010

Clinical Report 1 (Europe)
Shonishin in Europe (2)has noticed a dramatic decrease of the recurrence
rate from 20-25% to below 3%. Since then he could

Thomas Wernicke
Therapeuticum rhein-main, Germany

3. Treatment of asymmetric babies with Shōnishin (astudy)
Backgroundobserve the cervical blockages dissolving again
and again due to the exclusive application of
Shōnishin only (which means without manualintervention ).
So the question arises, if the dissolution of theThere has been no study outside Japan up toblockages with Shōnishin were only individual

now, which proofs the effectiveness of Shōnishin.

cases or if they are reproducible. In case they are,

The present study about the treatment options of

it would be interesting to determine the likehood

asymmetricshouldof a successful dissolution of the blockage in thecontribute to the effectiveness of Shōnishin as aarea of the atlantoaxial joint and therewith atreatment method taking scientific criteria into

reduction of the related mostly vegetatively

account.

caused co-occurring symptoms when using thebabieswithShōnishin

Shōnishin method only.
Till the year 2002 the author used to treat
asymmetries in the early childhood using manual-

Apart of the proof of efficacy of Shōnishin as atherapeutic methods (infantile chiro therapy,

treatment method, it was another aim of thiscraniosacral treatment, osteopathic techniques). A

study to establish Shōnishin as an effective

dysfunction in the area of the cervical spine

treatment method which is pleasant for the child(C0/C1 and/or C1/C2) caused by obstetric traumas

and cost-saving for the parents.

(mostly in the sense of a blockage) can usually beconsidered as the reason for the asymmetry.

Methodology

Typically, these babies attract attention because of

Shōnishin was applied as exclusive treatment

their head tilt, a scoliotic posture of the torso as

method in a prospective clinical research using awell as because of disorders concerning vegetative

standardized process with babies between thefunctions due to the proximity of the vegetative

ages of six weeks to twelve weeks suffering from a

nervous system (Ganglion cervicalis superius) toblockage C0/C1 and C1/C2.

the cervical spine. Left untreated, these children
may suffer from retarded development, damaged

Diagnostic Basics

postures or concentration disorders later on.

- Examination form before/after treatment- Entry questionnaire for the parents (anamnesticThe author made the experience that acollection of data about pregnancy and birth,reoccurrence of the blockage after two to four

symptom description of their baby before theweeks could be noticed with about 20-25% of alltreatment)

successfully treated babies when using purely- Questionnaire after completion of treatment for

manual treatment only. Since 2003 he has

the parents (symptom description of their baby

integrated Shōnishin in his treatment concept inafter the treatment, estimation about success

addition to the manual treatment. In this time heand acceptance of the treatment

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Volume 5, Number 4 | Winter 2010

- Photo-/Video-documentation

Treatment

Primary target parameters were changes inThe treatment took place following a standardized

the movement functions in the area of theatlantoaxial

joints(inangledegrees).

Secondary parameters involved changes in thesensomotor- and vegetative system as well as
the acceptance of the treatment method by theparents.

procedure. Each baby received three treatments in
one-week intervals. The duration of the treatment
itself was between three and five minutes. A
manual-diagnostic

whole-bodystatuswith

particular focus on the cervical spine was taken at
the beginning of the treatment series and one
week after the last treatment.

Basic treatment (stroke-technique along the to regulate the Ki
extremities and the trunk) (Fig.1)
Vibration technique onLu 9, LI 4

St 36, Sp 3



SI 3

to emphasize the „centre“

because of its close relationship to the cervicalspine

Li 3 (Fig.2)

to reduce thegenerally increased muscle tone

GV 14

for relaxation of the shoulder girdle



SI 9

because of its close relationship to the shoulder
blade (scapula)Bl 28because of its close relationship to the sacroiliac
joint



Bl 60

because of its erection supporting effect (allowsa better head control in prone position)

Tapping technique periumbilicalto emphasize the „centre“ (Stimulation of thespleen-zone around the navel)

Tapping technique along the Bladder Meridian to provoke

a certain neonatal reflex (the so-on the level of the shoulder blades (scapulae) or called Galant Reaction) to activate the Gbin the lumbar area (Fig.3)

18Meridian

The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

Volume 5, Number 4 | Winter 2010

Results
The proof of efficacy could be provided withfollowing treatment results:
1. There was a dissolution of the blockages in theupper cervical area with 57, 5 % of all babies
treated with Shōnishin only.
2. A breakup of the asymmetry could be proved inapproximately 43% of the cases of all treatedasymmetric babies.
3. An improvement of secondary symptoms could
be seen in many cases. This concerned inparticular crying patterns, sleep patterns andthe acceptance of the prone position.
Fig. 1The study shows that Shōnishin is a gentle
treatment method, which is free from side effects
and pleasant for the baby. The effectiveness of
Shōnishin can be documented by the treatment ofbabies suffering from blockages in the upper
cervical area.
The advantages with regard to conventional
treatment methods are that- there is no need for a manipulation orFig. 2mobilization of the cervical spine- the feasibleness of the treatment is simple- the treatment can even be done with crying or
restless babies
Further advantages of Shōnishin are:
- Short duration of treatment (1-3 sessions)- Short treatment time (3-5 minutes)- Little effort (short treatment time, easyhandling)- Very good compliance with the parents
The present study allows us to conclude that
Shōnishin is an effective treatment method. The
standardized proceeding in the treatment ofasymmetric babies has proven its worth and is atFig. 3

least equal to other therapy methods.

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Volume 5, Number 4 | Winter 2010

for the use in neonates with NAS. As soon as the4. Future prospects

study is authorised by the Ethics Committee, it

Fields of application with Shōnishin
For acupuncturists, especially for those, whose

can be implemented in the mentioned clinic.

treatment focus is in the area of children, a new

Another field of application for Shōnishin will

field of action comes in appearance with Shōnishin,

be in the treatment of very old people. In

respectively an existing one can be widened.

particular parameters like skin condition andFurthermore,mental condition seem to show retrogression into

Shōnishin

isaninteresting

supplement - or even an alternative for any
therapist with acupuncture knowledge using
manual methods.

childhood:
Skin - Just like children's skin, old people's skinis very vulnerable because of its parchment-like

For that reason experiences of different nature

structure(Fig.4).

Concerning

thestroking

are made in women's shelters, mother- childtechniques this means that old people are notfacilities and nurseries with Shōnishin. In thistreated with the stroking technique for adults, butcase women and children, who are in difficultin a more tender way, just like the age group fromsocial or monetary situations, abandoned, without

eight to twelve or even younger.

any perspective and obviously no way out, areMental condition – The older people get, thesupported. These include e.g. traumatised womenless they seem to be living in the present.

and children (for instance after being raped), whoMemories or situations in the childhood dawn toare only able to permit touching, as due to theawareness increasingly more and more again and"interposed" Shōnishin instrument no dermal

do often influence the person’s mood. Often,

contact with the skin happens.

“childish” patterns of behavior become apparent,

The experiences of being able to influence posttraumatic disorders positively by Shōnishin set an
impetus for another study which is to be made at
the Medical University of Vienna, Department ofneonatology,

pediatric

unadjusted behavior.
First experiences with Shōnishin in homes forthe aged show promising treatment approaches.

Non-invasive

Even here it becomes obvious, that treatment withJapanese Pediatric acupuncture (Shōnishin) fora Shōnishin -instrument is advantageous: Seniors

supporting neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).

often suffer from a shortage of touching. WithThe motivation for this study is to apply a non-Shōnishin the contact doesn’t take place directly,invasive, cost effective method without known

but indirectly with an instrument. For that reason

side effects to reduce withdrawal symptoms andseniors have no fear of contact and are willing toasallow the treatment.

aProjectconsequence

totitle:reducecarebeing cleaned, loss of bladder control andandneuropediatrics.

intensivefor example being fed, being brought to toilet,

theneedof

pharmacological therapies in neonates with NAS.

Another advantage of treating elderly people

We believe that the treatment approach iswith Shōnishin is that many of them have to takecompletely novel in the field of neonatology. This

blood-thinning medicines. Due to the non-invasive

study intends to provide reliable data with aand gentle treatment technique with Shōnishin,responsible

there is no contraindication.

assessmentoftheuseandeffectiveness of Japanese pediatric acupuncture
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The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

Volume 5, Number 4 | Winter 2010

Reference
Wernicke T.
Shōnishin–japanischeKinderakupunktur.

München: Elsevier; 2009
Kalbantner-Wernicke K, Wernicke T.
Baby-Shiatsu – eine energetische Ergänzung zur
osteopathischen Behandlung. Osteop Med 2010;
11,2:10-13
Tanioka M.
Taishiryū-Shōnishin: Verlag Rikuzensha; 2005
Wernicke T.
Fig. 4

Shōnishin – die japanische Kinderakupunktur.
Standortbestimmung

Conclusion- Shōnishin is about to play an important role in
the treatment of children. An increasing
number of doctors and non-doctors (alternativepractitioner,physiotherapists,Shiatsu-practitioners)

midwives,discover

this

exceptionally gentle and effective type oftreatment. Shōnishin finds its application in
doctor’s or acupuncturist’s surgeries, midwife
work and increasingly in clinics.
- In

theframeworkofcongresses(TCM,pediatrics) there is an increasing demand for
Shōnishin -lectures, respectively Shōnishin events.

einer

beiunsnochweitgehend unbekannten Therapiemethode. Dt
Ztschr f Akup 2006; 49,2:18-24
Wernicke T.
Baby-Shiatsu und Shōnishin. Grundlagen undVoraussetzungen für die Behandlung von Babysund Kindern. Shiatsu-Journal Herbst 2006;46:1618
Wernicke T, Kalbantner-Wernicke K.
Kinderakupunktur

mitentwicklungsphysiologischShōnishin-Methode.

DtderorientiertenZtschr

f

Akup

2009;52,3:19-22
Thomas Wernicke (Vita)
Specialistingeneralmedicine,

additional- Shōnishin offers a valuable support for thetrainings in naturopathy, manual medicine,

treatment of traumatized children and mothers.

acupuncture, homeopathy and manual treatment- Amongst others, it is thanks to Shōnishin, thatof infants and children. Member of Nihon Shōni

there is an increasing interest in traditional

Hari Gakkai (Japanese scientific society forJapanese medicine, especially in Japanesechildren acupuncture). Founding member andacupuncture.

first chairman of “Internationale Gesellschaft fürTraditionelle Japanische Medizin e.V.”

The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

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