Modern scientific medical acupuncture
HAROLD S. SAITA, D.O.
West Vancouver, British Columbia
Ryodoraku acupuncture therapy is a
scientific approach to acupuncture
developed in 1950 in Japan. The method
has been found useful in quickly
alleviating pain, removing muscle stiffness,
enhancing color perception, and
improving perceptive deafness, as well
as improving or curing various disorders
that heretofore have been difficult to
treat. The method makes use of the
concept that abnormalities or changes in
function of internal organs are reflected on
the body surface. Ryodoraku treatment
may be of two types: reactive
electropermeable point treatment (REPP),
also known as localized autonomic nerve
regulatory treatment, or general regulatory
treatment (GRR). REPP treatment usually
suffices in acute diseases, but GRR
treatment is employed for chronic disorders
when it becomes necessary to regulate the
entire body.
I would like to outline briefly Ryodoraku acu-
puncture therapy, which was conceived and
systematized by Yoshio Nakatani, M.D.,
Ph.D., in Japan in 1950; it is at present prac-
ticed by 25,000 M.D.s, and further research is
being conducted in 25 university medical de-
partments and medical colleges in Japan. This
scientific approach to acupuncture was devel-
oped by Dr. Nakatani to provide those patients
who are foresaken by modern medicine an
alternative diagnosis and therapy with which
to seek relief.
The recent advent of acupuncture anes-
thesia as it is conducted in the Peoples Re-
public of China has been widely reported by
medical news sources. What is less widely
publicized, however, is that 15 years ago a
Journal ADA/vol. 72, March 1978
Acupunetwre
medical delegation from the Peoples Republic
of China visited Dr. Nakatani's clinic in Osaka
and expressed great interest in Ryodoraku
research. The delegation observed the details
of Ryodoraku medical examination and treat-
ment and expressed amazement at the superi-
ority of the theory of diagnosis and the thera-
peutic effects. Articles concerning Ryodoraku
examination and treatment, including case
reports, were well publicized at this time in
periodicals and daily newspapers. Dr. Naka-
tani received many invitations to visit the
mainland as a guest of the Peoples Republic
of China, but these invitations were declined.
After this, reports concerning Ryodoraku
treatment in the Peoples Republic of China
stopped reaching Japan. It now appears that
Ryodoraku diagnosis and treatment was in-
corporated into European medicine there. The
research they have done in this combination
therapy is considered modern medicine, and
it is the source for the acupuncture anesthesia
reported from the Peoples Republic of China.
Effects of Ryodoraku treatment
The effect of Ryodoraku treatment is general-
ly rapid and, to those engaged in modern
medicine who are unfamiliar with the tech-
nique, unbelievable; sometimes it seems even
miraculous. The principal uses and effects in-
clude the following : 1) instant alleviation of
various kinds of pain, such as the pain of
headache, ocular pain, toothache, lumbago,
gastralgia, pain in the generative organs,
menstrual pain, hemorrhoidal pain, neuralgia,
and general muscular pain; 2) removal of
muscle stiffness in 5 to 10 minutes, including
such discomforts as "stiff neck" or stiffness
caused by overexertion; 3) alleviation and
even elimination of other symptoms, such as
giddiness, blurring vision, nasal obstruction,
heaviness of head, languor of the hands and
feet, numbness, palpitation, and tinnitus auri-
685/47
Scientific medical acupuncture
um; 4) effective treatment of diseases formerly
found to be extremely difficult to cure, includ-
ing painful shoulder, whiplash injuries, bron-
chial asthma, chronic eczema, rheumatism,
autonomic imbalance, diabetes, Basedow's dis-
ease, impotence, and nocturnal enuresis; 5)
improvement and even cure of the following
diseases (for which there has been essentially
no method of treatment) : (a) color blindness
and amblyopia, (according to Dr. Nakatani's
research, it can enhance the perception of
color, too) ; and (b) improvement in various
kinds of perceptive deafness, such as infants'
deafness, senile deafness, deafness resulting
from streptomycin administration, sudden
deafness, and occupational deafness (accord-
ing to the research of Ryoichi Gunji, M.D.,1
a specialist in otorhinolaryngology and stand-
ing director of the Japan Ryodoraku Autono-
mic Nervous System Society).
What is Ryodoraku diagnosis and acupuncture or
needle treatment?
While studying the resistance of electric cur-
rent passed in the skin, Dr. Nakatani discov-
ered Ryodo points, which mean good con-
ductive or electropermeable points. He also
found and named Ryodoraku, which means
good conduction patterns or electropermeable
patterns or meridians, and Hanno-ryodo
points, which are reactive good conduction
points or reactive electropermeable points.
Stimulation to the affected area with electric
needles, with thermal stimulation, or with
stimulation using ion silver granules at these
reactive electropermeable points (REPP or
Hanno-ryodo points) comprise Ryodoraku acu-
puncture treatment.
The effect of this treatment is generally
explained as being a paradox of Mackenzie's
principle of viscera and skin reflex. That is,
pain arising in the viscera is thought to be
referred to the surface of the body. In Ryo-
doraku, however, stimulation of the body sur-
face regulates internal organs.
Adjustment of the internal organs can be
explained in different ways. Dr. Sasagawa2
has explained the phenomenon in this way.
When the body receives stimulation from acu-
puncture therapy, the stimuli is transmitted
to the autonomic nervous system via the spinal
cord; the autonomic nerves then react to the
686/48
stimuli by making adjustments in the internal
organ functions. In addition, this excitation
of the autonomic nerves causes repeated stim-
uli in the cerebral cortex as it is relayed to
the center of the autonomic nerves of the
thalamus. This stimuli to the thalamus pro-
motes additional internal organ regulation by
the thalamus.
Dr. Nakatani states, "In Ryodoraku treat-
ment, the excitability of the sympathetic
nerves of the skin is learned through the re-
sistance of electric current passed in the skin
and it is a method of diagnosis and treatment
that seeks to bring the excitability both locally
and for the whole body, closer to that of the
healthy person. It is a method of diagnosis and
of adjusting the sympathetic nerves on the
surface of the skin."3
There are three main schools of acupuncture
in Japan. One of them emphasizes the classic
method of acupuncture as described in ancient
Chinese documents based on the Chinese phi-
losophy of the universe. The second group,
which places emphasis on "modern acupunc-
ture," uses the analytical approach of modern
science; its headquarters are in the physiology
department of Kyoto University. The third
group, called the Society of Oriental Medicine
in Japan, has its office at Chiba University.
Philosophical myth of acupuncture
In brief, classic acupuncture is based on the
Chinese philosophy of "Yin and Yang" (nega-
tive and positive) and the Five Elements. The
idea is that the world is composed of five basic
elements : wood, fire, earth, metal, and water,
and is ruled by the principle of negative and
positive forces. All phenomena of the universe
are traced to the interaction of the five ele-
ments under the positive-negative principle,
including the effects of acupuncture.
The theory behind acupuncture therapy is
that there exist in the body dual flows of
energy, which are called Yin and Yang. These
flows reflect the duality present in everything
in the universe; obvious examples are day and
night, hot and cold, and male and female.
Everything has its force of opposition, but the
opposition by its very existence is itself com-
plementary. Yang tends to stimulate and is
the positive principle; Yin tends to sedate and
is the negative principle.
 Health is dependent on the equilibrium of
Yin and Yang, on the balance of the autonomic
nervous system within the body. They must be
protected and kept in balance; otherwise, dis-
ease will develop.
The Chinese discovered that this "vital
energy" (Yin and Yang) circulates in the
body along the "meridians" in a network sim-
ilar to the blood, autonomic nerve, and lym-
phatic circuits. The energy flow along the
meridians may be detected in the living body
by electronic devices such as the Neurometer,
developed by a Japanse electronics engineer.
There are 12 pairs or 24 main circuits,
which are known as meridians or Ryodoraku;
each is associated with a different body func-
tion or organs. The state of these meridians
can be assessed by testing the representative
measuring points of each Ryodoraku (or meri-
dian) with the Neurometer. The condition of
Yin and Yang (or the under- or overactivity
of sympathetic nerve) and the state of various
systems in the body can be estimated with the
Neurometer before any signs and symptoms
become apparent.
The body keeps Yin and Yang (or the auto-
nomic nervous system) in harmony by dispell-
ing surplus energy via the skin surface at cer-
tain points on the Ryodoraku (meridian) and
by shifting energy to deficient areas of the or-
ganism. Traditional texts describe 800 of these
points.
In disease conditions there is breakdown of
this balancing process, and the energy flows
become unbalanced. Often certain points be-
come painful when pressed; these points, then,
are associated with the condition of develop-
ing disease. In order to treat the illness, it is
necessary to rectify any imbalance in the , en-
ergy flow. By piercing the skin with .a needle
at certain points the energy flow is stimulated
or sedated; in this way, the functioning equi-
librium of the body is restored.
Recent discoveries prove the efficacy of the
Chinese system. A Japanese electronics engi-
neer developed the Neurometer, which records
the differences between the 24 Ryodoraku (me-
ridians) . A Korean professor, Kim Bonghans,
has demonstrated the existence of the merid-
ians as a separate physiological system. He
showed further that the meridians contain
DNA and RNA, two substances basic to life
Journal AOA/vol. 72, March 1973
and reproduction. His work is documented
with histologic, pathologic, and photographic
evidence and is now available in English.
In addition, many scientists have been sur-
prised to learn that the "effective spots" in
acupuncture often coincide with nerve net-
works (and especially the autonomic nervous
system) known to modern medical scientists.
Adjusting of the autonomic nerves
When stimulation is applied to the human
body, invariably a reaction will occur some-
where in the body. Actually, when a stimula-
tion is applied, the excitation passes along the
centripetal fibers (sensory nerves) and reach-
es the central nervous system; then it passes
along the efferent nerves, the motor nerves,
and the autonomic nerves (including both
sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous sys-
tems) , and, finally, a reflex reaction (simple or
complex) occurs in the periphery. Although
the reflexes of the motor nerves do not have
a great clinical value, the reflexes of the auto-
nomic nerves are of considerable clinical value,
if one understands the function of the auto-
nomic nervous system.
Among other things, the autonomic nervous
system controls all internal organs, the secre-
tion of digestive juices (along with absorption
and elimination) , the actions of the circulatory
system (when sympathetic nerves are excited
the blood vessels contract and when the para-
sympathetic nerves are excited the vessels
dilate, whereas the reverse occurs in the coro-
nary artery), and control of the metabolism
(as it relates to resistance of the tissues). Also,
a considerable influence is seen on the blood,
including the leukocytes, erythrocytes, and
platelets. (When the sympathetic nerves are
stimulated, an increase in the leukocytes oc-
curs; stimulation of the parasympathetic
nerves, on the other hand, results in an in-
crease of erythrocytes.)
An influence of the muscle tone is present
in • autonomic nerves, and direct and indirect
control of the endocrine glands occurs as well.
For example, not only does the autonomic
nervous system control the secretion of the me-
dulla of the suprarenal gland and the pan-
creas' islets of Langerhans, but the autonomic
nerve center (hypothalamus) also has a direct
influence on the portal circulation, nerves, and
687/49
Scientific medical acupuncture
secretion. The hypophysis, too, secretes hor-
mones that control important peripheral en-
docrine glands. Further, a direct distribution
of the autonomic nerves is seen in the periph-
eral endocrine glands, and it is surmised that
these nerves have a direct influence on the se-
cretion. Regarding the effect of acupuncture
therapy in treating gland problems, after
several applications of EAP (electroacupunc-
ture) stimulation to the thyroid gland area,
the swelling will be reduced in a patient with
Basedow's disease.
The autonomic nervous system also controls
various reflexes required for the maintenance
of balance of the human body and the defense
mechanism of the tissues against microorgan-
isms and internal and external obstruction.
Finally, almost all functions related to the
well-being of living things are controlled by
the autonomic nervous system. Because of
these powers, the autonomic nervous system is
referred to as the life nerves. In the majority
of cases, the foremost internal cause of a dis-
ease is some abnormality in the function of the
autonomic nerves. Using regulatory treatment
of the autonomic nerves, the physician stands
a better chance of curing the patient of the
disease.
The importance of the autonomic nervous
system is well known and accepted. Neverthe-
less, therapeutic methods related to the regula-
tory treatment of the autonomic nerves are
lacking, which may indicate a blind spot in
modern medicine's methods.
Abnormal internal organs relating to body
surface reflexes
When abnormalities in internal organs are
present or the functions of internal organs
change, these changes are reflected on the body
surface as a result of one or more of four
reflexes : sensory nerve reflex, motor nerve
reflex, sympathetic nerve reflex, and parasym-
pathetic nerve reflex. Some of these may not
actually be reflex actions, but explanation will
be made on the assumption that they are.
One example of the type of reflexes men-
tioned is Dr. Head's hyperalgesia zones, which
are considered to be related pain sensory su-
persensitive areas. Also, in cases of gastritis,
688/50
the rectus abdominis muscles show a strong
contraction; this movement is considered as
a motor nerve reflex, with involvement of the
sympathetic nerves. In addition, internal or-
gans are closely related to skin conductivity
resistance. Stimulation from abnormalities of
the internal organs travels on an organ/skin
sympathetic nerve reflex, which results in a
change on the body surface (the skin) . This
change appears as a high electric conductivity
site. The conductivity may be detected by
changes in the skin temperature. Since it is
impossible to know in detail the state of the
autonomic nervous system of the entire body,
a study was designed to produce a method for
detecting the excitation of only the sympa-
thetic nervous system.
Skin conductivity resistance
When the electrical resistance of the epidermis
is studied, possible alterations caused by sweat
glands, hair follicles, and the stratum corneum
must be considered, although the sympathetic
nerves distributed around the sweat glands
and hair follicles are not related to the Ryo-
doraku phenomena.
The portion of the skin most deeply related
to the Ryodoraku phenomena is the stratum
corneum epidermis. It is believed that the in-
creased excitation of the sympathetic nerves
of the corneum cells causes depolarization,
and as a result the conductivity of the site
increases.
Since the conductivity increases in the pres-
ence of sweating, however, it was necessary to
develop a measure not influenced by sweating.
A moist electrode was used therefore, since
it shows little difference in values in pre- and
post-sweating tests.
Ryodoten (electropermeable points)
When an electrode (wet or dry) 1 cm. in di-
ameter of 21 volts was used to measure the
electric resistance of the entire body surface
of a healthy subject, numerous good conduc-
tivity points were found; Dr. Nakatani 4 called
these electropermeable points.
A wet electrode of 12 volts can reveal
comparatively clear electropermeable points
in patients. These are called reactive elec-
tropermeable points (REPP). Depending on
the disease, the REPP correspond to the
REPP at those points of excitation of the
sympathetic nerves that have been heightened
by reflexes. When appropriate stimulations
are administered to such REPP, in almost all
cases the electric current volume is lowered
and the complaints of the patient disappear
or decrease. This phenomenon is a result of
localized excitation of the sympathetic nerves
between the body surface and the organ or
between the body surface and body surface,
which when adjusted approaches normal con-
ditions. Thus, it is accepted that the REPP
themselves are the points of treatment, and
hence this treatment is referred to as reactive
electropermeable point (REPP) therapy; it
is also called localized sympathetic nerve regu-
latory therapy. I might note here that electric
currents pass most readily through the facial
area and electric passage decreases as we de-
scend from the upper limbs to the lower limbs.
What is Ryodoraku?
When a low voltage current is passed through
the skin, a continuous pattern of points ap-
pears by connecting points where the electric
current passes freely at electropermeable
points. Ryodoraku related to internal organ
diseases also shows definite patterns of REPP.
There are various patterns that appear as 24
types on both the right and left of the body.
There are also two types that are not intimate-
ly related to the organs.
Ryodoraku is a continuous pattern of REPP
that results from changes in excitation of the
sympathetic nerves. In most cases it is a result
of internal organ/body surface sympathetic
nerve reflex, which reflects the condition of
the function of the organ.
However, although it acts as an internal
organ/body surface reflex, this reaction may
not be considered absolute. When the body
surface is bruised, for example, the Ryodoraku
point receiving the bruise shows abnormalities
(excitation or inhibition). At the same time,
a negative influence is seen in the organs
closely related to the Ryodoraku; for example,
a stone dropped on a second toe or second toe
stubbed may upset the stomach Ryodoraku
Journal AOA/vol. 72, March 1973
and hence bring on symptoms of stomach
problems. Supposedly, the Ryodoraku distur-
bance appears because of the sympathetic
nerves acting on a centrifugal direction, away
from the center. However, when appropriate
stimulation is given in the Ryodoraku, in
many cases diseased organ tissues related to
that particular Ryodoraku (and diseased or-
gans closely related) show improvement.
Hence, it would seem that the centrifugal sym-
pathetic nerves and the centripetal sympathet-
ic nerves (toward the center) run parallel to
one another. If the centripetal sympathetic
nerves are all sensory nerves, then the sensory
nerves must run together. However, little is
known of the peripheral sympathetic nerves.
Dr. Nakatani says that an empirical state-
ment can be made, based on the above infor-
mation. "It may be that the site in the periph-
ery of the autonomic nerve system may be in
the nature of a synapse where localized hor-
mone is secreted and in a feedback manner the
nerve may switch to a centripetal nerve and
commence its return. This has not been veri-
fied, but there are numerous facts that could
only be explained by such a mechanism."4
Total Ryodoraku measurement
In order to determine the extent of abnormali-
ties of a Ryodoraku, a graph is made on a
special Ryodoraku chart designed by Dr.
Nakatani (Fig. 1) . The electric flow volume
is measured at representative points of each
Ryodoraku, and the values of the correspond-
ing categories are recorded on the chart by
dots or by horizontal lines. If the measured
values appear approximately on a single line,
the subject may be considered to be "in health"
(Fig. 2).
If a 1.4 cm. width is taken as the normal
physiological range, then when one of the
Ryodoraku values is higher (excitation) than
the physiological range, or lower (inhibition) ,
characteristic symptoms will appear (Fig.
3) . Using this knowledge, the operator can
pinpoint the symptoms without asking about
the patient's complaints. An operator can then
memorize the symptoms in the Ryodoraku
syndromes and from this information he can
establish which Ryodoraku have abnormalities.
689/51
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PATIENT'S COMPLAINT:
TEST POINTS

Fig. 1. Dr. Yoshio Nakatani's chart for Ryodoraku autonomic nerve regulatory therapy.

690/52
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Fig. 2. I f measured values fall within a 1.4 cm. range on the chart, a patient may be considered to be "in health."

Favorable effects can therefore be obtained by
stimulating or sedating the Ryodoraku at ap-
propriate points.
It is convenient, of course, to memorize the
sites of representative measuring points and
the symptoms of the Ryodoraku syndromes,
but even if one cannot commit such points to
memory, satisfactory results still can be ob-
tained with REPP treatment.
Reactive electropermeable point (REPP)
treatment
Ryodoraku treatment consists of two methods
of treatment, reactive electropermeable point
treatment (REPP) and general regulatory
treatment (GRR). The first kind is also called
localized autonomic nerve regulatory treat-
ment. However, satisfactory influences are ap-
parent in the entire body, and sometimes it
effects or aids in a radical cure. For example,
in a patient with stiff shoulder muscles, con-
siderable individual differences are found
when REPP are sought. This is because the
causes leading to stiff shoulder muscles vary.
Stiff shoulder muscles can be caused by dis-
turbances in the stomach, liver, lung, or
uterus, or may even be caused by constipation.
When REPP are accurately pinpointed on the
shoulder, and the treatment is done, the dis-
ease causing the problem is affected since the
sympathetic nerves are affected. Of course, the
stiffness in the shoulder muscles also is re-
lieved, but at the same time the effect is not
limited to the regulatory action of the local
autonomic nerves. Instead, radical relief may
be expected.
REPP occur, in most cases, in the area sur-
rounding the points of the patient's com-
plaints. When the patient complains of pain
in the hands, numbness, cold sensations,

Journal AOA/vol. 72, March 1978 691/53

 Scientific medical acupuncture

Fig. 3. If the points fall outside the normal range, certain symptoms will be noted. For example, the patient in the
above chart showed palpitation (H3), headache, abnormality of the lower abdomen (H4), ringing in the ears
(115), stiff and painful shoulder muscles (H6), general weakness of the stomach and knee joint (F1), insomnia
(F2), and stiff and painful neck muscles with lumbar pain (F4).

spasms, or cramps, REPP should be sought
out and stimulated.
When the patient complains of stomach ail-
ment or liver trouble, the area from the an-
terior of the thorax and abdomen to the spinal
column should contain REPP. When a given
organ is indicated, find the most clearly indi-
cated REPP on the corresponding Ryodoraku.
This will produce still better results.
Certain points have been found by experi-
ence to be effective treatment points for par-
ticular diseases. For instance, for pain caused
by piles, the REPP should be sought out near
the coccyx or the sacrum, since it is clinically
difficult to locate REPP in the area surround-
ing the anus. In this case, the needle is inserted
on the right and left sides of the coccyx in the
direction of the anus, and electric stimulation
then is added. In addition, there is a point
(HM-26) in the parietal area of the head,
which, although at the opposite end of the
body, is known as an effective site for Ryo-
doraku treatment of piles. If the operator can
memorize at least some such specific REPP,
more effective treatment can be expected.
General regulatory treatment (GRR) of the total
Ryodoraku
Specifically, this treatment affects the entire
body surface sympathetic nerves. Since regu-

692/54
 Abnormally high amperage Organs concerned Abnormally low amperage

Stiff shoulders, rush of blood to the head, asthma, Difficult breathing, cold or numb hands and feet, disorders of the
H1 hemorrhoilds, coughing. Lunge, Nose, Skin skin, dry throat, unpleasant emotional state, pain in the back and
shoulders, coughing.

H2 Stiff shoulders, heart ailment, brachial pain. Heart Palpitations, speech difficulties, oppressive feelings of the chest,
sensations of heat in the palms.

Bloating of the stomach, constipation, heart ailment, dry Heart, Tongue, Palpitations, speech difficulties, pain in the lower part of the heart,
H3
throat, heaviness of the arms and speech difficulties. Eyes, Armpit unrest in the heart and sensations of heart in the palms.

Ha
Headache, bloated lower abdomen, constipation, difficul- Small intestines, Headache, bloated lower abdomen, ringing in the ears, difficulty
ty in turning neck, hand pain, rheumatism.' Eyes, Tongue in hearing, diarrhea, rheumatism.

Abnormal urination, ringing in the ears, difficulty in hear- Lymphatic vessel,

Hs Lack of vitality, difficulty in breathing, abdominal obstruction,
ing, slight fever. Mamary duct, Ears, slight fever.
Eyes, Shoulders
Stiff shoulders, toothache, hemorrhoids, headache, ab- Large intestines,
H6
Stiff shoulders problems in evacuation, asthma, diarrhea, dry throat,
normalities of the skin, brachial pain. Mouth, Teeth, Nose, toothache, skin abnormalities.
Shoulders, Skin
Weak stomach, arthritis of the lower leg, empyema, Spleen, Pancres, Weak stomach, abnormalities of the legs, problems in evacuation,
F1 Stomach, Brain, lack of vitality, lack of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, bloated abdomen,
bloated abdomen, nausea, problems in evacuation.
Intercostal space insomnia diabetes.
Insomnia, lumbago, eye diseases, diseases of the reproduc- Liver, Eyes, Muscles,
F2 tive organs, costalgia, abnormal menstrual periods, anger, Reproductive organs Dizziness, incontinence, loss of eyesight, spiritlessness, anal prolapse,
feelings of discomfort. Intercostal space costalgia, decrease in sexual desire.
Restlessness, nervous disorder, abnormal blood pressure, Kedney suprarenal, Decrease in sexual desire, lack of patience and vitality, ringing in.
F3 diseases of the reproductive organs, dry throat, dry Brain, Eyes, Bones, the eus, cold legs and lower back, forgetfulness, problems in evacua-
tongue, heat sensations in the legs. Nasal cavity tion, disorders of throat.
Stiffness in the back of the head, back disorders, lumbago, Urinary bladder, Stiffness in the back of the head, strained back, lumbago, disorders
F4 abnormalities of the nerves of the legs, sciatica, headache, Ears, Nose, Eyes, of the neryes of the legs, sciatica, sensations,of dullness in the legs,
tears, eyepain, rhinorrhagia, cerebral disease, epilepsy. Pituitary gland hemorrhoids, cerebral disease, epilepsy.

Fs Heavyhead, lack of appetite irritability, chills, pyrexia. Gall-bladder, Eyes, Dizziness, glazed eyes, heavy arms and legs, staggering gait, lifeless
Muscles, Head area face, abnormal blood pressure.

Weak stomach, swelling and aching of the joints, mastitis, Stomach, Mind,
F6 dry lipes, abnormally high appetite, fever without sweat- Mouth, Teeth, Nose,
Depression, weak stomach, yawning, swollen face, abdominal pain.
ing. Mammary gland,
Eyelid

Fig. 4. The above chart gives the excitation and inhibition points for Ryodoraku symptoms.

latory treatment of the entire body surface is
connected with regulatory action of the in-
ternal organs and central nerves, however,
this may be considered as general regulatory
treatment of the autonomic nervous system
as well.
For acute diseases, REPP treatment gives
sufficient effects, but for chronic diseases it
becomes necessary to regulate or reactivate
the entire body, and so GRR treatment should
be introduced. In such cases, Ryodoraku mea-
surements are made first and then three or
four excitation points and inhibition points
are located. (On the chart, these points would
appear above or below the physiological
range.) For the excitation points, the cor-
responding inhibition points are treated. For
the inhibition points, the corresponding exci-
tation points should be treated by using a
paste of ion granules or stimulating the point
with EAP (electroacupuncture). Fig. 4 gives
excitation and inhibition points.
If EAP treatment is given to the head alone,
the head blood vessels become dilated and af-
flux may occur. To prevent this reaction, six
points on the back [the right and left points of
F4-44 (liver), F4-40 (pancreas) , and F4-34
(kidney) should be stimulated. The addition-
al treatment of F6-9 also may relieve afflux.
How to locate REPP
It is permissible to use dry metal electrodes
to locate REPP when one still is unfamiliar
with the technique. When dry metal electrodes
are used almost no electric current flows in
places other than the REPP. So when the elec-
trode touches an REPP, a sudden flow of cur-
rent occurs. An REPP or a point of treatment
therefore can be found readily, but the patient
feels a mild electric shock.
Therefore, when a little skill is acquired, a
moist electrode should be used. With a moist

Journal AOA/vol. 72, March 1978 693/55

Scientific medical acupuncture
electrode, however, the electric flow difference
between an REPP and other areas is small,
amounting to only a 20-50 p.A or thereabouts.
Thus, to pinpoint clearly a suspected REPP,
the operator must hold the moist electrode at
right angles to the skin while keeping the
voltage at 12 volts. The other knob, meanwhile
(changeable resistance) , is turned so that an
electric current of approximately 150 1.1.A flows
through. And if the vicinity is lightly searched
when the electrode seeks out an REPP, ap-
proximately 200 pA flows through, which
clearly pinpoints the REPP. In the same area,
the voltage may be raised from 12 volts to 21
volts, and this makes the search easy.
It must be remembered, however, that if
the same area is passed over too many times
by an electrode, the electric flow becomes a
stimulation. As a result, the entire area be-
comes susceptible to electric flow.
Needle insertion
The depth and direction of needle insertion
depends on the area and points involved. For
the scalp, a depth of 1 cm. is used with a
slantwise insertion of the needle. At point F4-
62 at the back of the head, the needle is in-
serted 2 to 4 cm., toward the eyes. For a nose
ailment at F4-75, the needle is inserted 1 to
1.5 cm., along the nasal bone. To treat a tooth-
ache, the needle must reach the root of the
tooth, and for a toothache in the lower jaw,
insert the needle at F6-41, between the bones.
To treat Basedow's disease (at the front of
the neck) , insert the needle 1 to 1.5 cm. For
points in the chest, on the front or the side,
insert only 1 cm. deep, for safety. At points
on the back or the hip, the needle can be in-
serted 5 cm.* When treating problems of the
stomach and bladder at points in the abdomen,
3 to 4 cm. insertions can be made. Deep in-
sertion also can be used on thick muscles in
the upper and lower limbs. In addition, good
results are obtained by deep insertion under
the knee capsule for treatment of knee joint
arthritis.
The practitioner must always use both
• SChnulation of the rear branch of the spinal nerve is good for
internal organs.
694/56
hands when inserting the needle. The left hand
is called the pressing hand and the right hand
the inserting hand. The pressing hand always
is kept stationary and the inserting hand is
left free to make the necessary motions. The
position and use of the pressing hand is im-
portant; with the tip of the index or middle
finger, the practitioner feels for the spot. He
keeps his fingertip on the selected spot and
brings his thumbtip to that spot so as to make
an irregular ring of the two fingers. The re-
maining three fingers are stretched out and
laid beside them, to keep the ringed fingers
steady in their position. The right, or the in-
serting, hand holds the handle of the needle
between the thumb and index finger, and the
needle tip is placed between the thumb and the
index finger of the pressing hand. The thumb
and the index finger of the inserting hand
should fall nearly perpendicular to the thumb
and index finger of the pressing hand. Middle
and ring fingers of the inserting hand are
stretched and placed steadily to give free
action to the thumb and the index finger. The
small finger alone is kept close to the palm.
There are two methods of inserting the
needles, the encasement method and the twist-
ing method. The former uses a hollow cylin-
drical sheath to insert the needle (Fig. 5) .
The encased needle is placed between the
thumb and the index finger of the pressing
hand with the needle point applied firmly on
the skin. The ball of the second finger of the
inserting hand lightly taps the needle handle
(it projects a bit above the case), which causes
the needle point to penetrate the skin. When
the skin is penetrated, the case is drawn away
with the inserting hand and is held by the
little finger of that hand. The needle end or
the handle then is held between the thumb
and the index finger, and the needle is moved
up and down (with a long needle) or up and
down and back and forth (with a short
needle), until the slowly inserted needle point
touches the goal. Various operations can then
be done with the needle. Finally, the needle is
pulled out slowly and encased in the cylindrical
sheath that has been kept in the little finger.
This last procedure should be done using the
inserting hand alone.
 The twisting method does not require a
sheath to insert the needle. The needle tip is
held by thg thumb and the index finger of the
pressing hand (Fig. 6) . With the thumb and
index finger of the inserting hand, the handle
is rotated about 1 mm. backward and for-
ward, pressing the needle at the same time
(Fig. 7). The pressure must not be too strong
when pressing the skin with the pressing
hand; it is sufficient to stop any shifting of
skin and to keep the needle perpendicular
Fig. 5. When using a case to insert a needle, the left
while it is inserted. hand holds the case while the index finger of the right
Shallow injection can be accomplished by hand taps the needle in.
touching the needle handle with a negative
electrode or by using an electric needle spring
injector. For deep injections, longer needles
may be inserted by manual needle injection.
Deep insertions allow easier depression of
excitation of the sympathetic nerves. Shallow
depth, with horizontal insertion into the skin,
has a tendency to excite the sympathetic
nerves. The homeostasis of the sympathetic
nerves is strong, however, and there is little
chance of failure.

Intensity of stimulation
The intensity of stimulation depends on a
number of factors. Ordinarily, 200 pA of 12
volts from the negative cathode should be used
for 3 to 10 seconds. Excitation will be de-
pressed, and depression will increase excita-
bility. A stimulation for as short a time as
1 to 3 seconds will produce a regulatory effect.
Similarly, stimulation of just 50 or 100 pA will
produce effects, and stimulation over 30 sec-
onds, even to 5 minutes, has no detrimental Figs. 6 and 7. The needle also can be inserted by hold-
effect. ing the needle tip with the left hand and rotating the
In general, strong stimulation tends to de- needle with the fingers of the right hand. In Fig. 6,
top, the fingers of the left hand hold the tip of the
press excitability, and weak stimulation tends needle to the skin while the fingers of the right hand
to raise it. Homeostasis (the basis of the body's grasp the top of the needle. In Fig. 7, immediately
effort to recover from disease) of the Ryo- above, the fingers of the left hand hold the skin taut
and the needle in place as the fingers of the right hand
doraku overcomes most mistakes in stimula- rotate the needle backward and forward, pressing it
tion. The intensity of stimulation is most often against the skin at the same time.
regulated by the sensitivity of the patient.
Patients with high fevers should not receive
Ryodoraku treatments at all unless the object points even may number 100 because of many
of the therapy is to lower the patient's tem- Ryodoraku abnormalities. In patients not used
perature. to stimulation, it is wise to begin on the first
In adults, 40 points have been stimulated, visit with 10 points. Then on the second visit,
with no side effects. In chronic diseases the 20 points may be stimulated, and on the third

Journal AOA/vol. 72, March 1978 695/57

 Scientific medical acupuncture
TABLE 1. STANDARD AMOUNTS OF STIMULATION.
Patient's Points of
weight (lbs.) stimulation
13.2 (infant) 4 (regulate
current)
33.0 10
66.0 20
132.0 40
165.0 50
visit 30 points, until the correct number is
reached. Overstimulation may cause dullness
or fever in a patient, but 1 or 2 days of bed
rest will effect a recovery. For patients subject
to overstimulation, weak stimulation produces
the best results. Table 1 gives the standard
numbers of stimulation points based on the
body weight of the patient.
Precautions
One must be careful not to pierce the lung
when treating the back or shoulders of thin
patients, since pneumothorax may result. Also,
although no cases of an operator piercing the
patient's heart with a needle have appeared
on record, one should avoid forcible or deep
penetration at the back of the heart, and par-
ticularly in patients with heart ailments. In
addition, intercostal neuralgia can occur from
deep penetration between the ribs. Treatment
for this condition can be by Ryodoraku or
local injection of an anesthetic. Finally, one
must be careful to avoid penetrating the eye-
balls or mucous membranes.
In addition to specific Ryodoraku points, the
following regions can be used as treatment
points : hypersensitive areas, tender spots,
696/68
stiffened muscles, paralyzed joints, bruised
areas, and blood vessels.
I would like to conclude with a few gen-
eral rules concerning Ryodoraku thtrapy. The
needles must be sterilized with alcohol or by
boiling before each use. Patients should not
bathe for 2 hours before or immediately after
treatment. Neither should alcohol be consumed
for at least 3 to 4 hours before or after treat-
ment. In summer, patients should rest for 20 to
30 minutes before treatment. Patients who are
prone to fainting should be treated from the
feet toward the head. Finally, frequency of
treatment depends on whether the patient's
condition is chronic or acute, the distance the
patient must travel for treatment, and the
number of sites to be treated. For example,
treatment may be given every day, every other
day, or once in 3 days.
1. Gunji, R.: Introduction to simple ryodoraku treatment. Bunkodo
Co., Ltd., Tokyo, 1971
2. Sasakawa, H.: The autonomic nerve reflex on the body surface.
J Autonomic Nery Sys. Oct 64, Apr 65
3. Nakatani, Y.: Ryodoraku autonomic nerve regulatory therapy.
Aug 1971 (in Japanese)
4. Nakatani, Y.: Ryodoraku skin stimulation therapy. Oct 1956
Dr. Saita presented this paper to
members of the American Osteopathic
College of Rehabilitation Medicine at
the 77th Annual AOA Convention and
Scientific Seminar, held October 9-12,
1972, in Bal Harbour, Florida.
Dr. Saita, 24 Clyde Medical Center,
Park Royal, West Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada.