The limited English of some practitioners can leave some patients feeling uneasy about their treatment and they worry about being understood. This is a personal consideration. In many forms of Chinese Medicine the relationship between patient and practitioner is seen to be an important element of healing. Japanese Acupuncture does not include herbal remedies and uses thinner needles. There is an emphasis on the practitioner's diagnostic skills and the mildest intervention possible is the ideal.
Auricular acupuncture treats acupuncture points on the ears exclusively.
It is popular for pain control and to assist from drug and alcohol addiction and eating disorders. It is applied as a fluffy wool-like material and rolled up to about the size of a pea, placed on the point and then lit, usually with incense. It is removed in just a few seconds when the patient is able to feel the warmth. This process is much older than the use of needles and considered by some superior to all other treatments. Massage is also incorporated by many acupuncturists.