← studies

Education
2026 - present Kampo Internship with Nigel Dawes, L.Ac.
2026 Kiiko Matsumoto Style (KMS) Acupuncture - Gynecology I seminar with Vidhya Rojanavongse, L.Ac.
2026 NY Licensed Acupuncturist L.Ac.
2026 Masters in Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization from Pacific College

Kiiko Matsumoto style acupuncture
Kiiko Matsumoto (KM) style acupuncture is a unique style that uses the abdomen or better known as the hara 腹, and reflexes on the body to determine what treatment is indicated. The style seeks to reduce pressure pain at reflexes in real time with acupuncture. KM style derives from classical Chinese medicine texts and Kiiko’s work with Japanese Masters including Master Nagano, Master Kawai, and Dr. Manaka. Kiiko has expanded the style with her own clinical experience and teaches internationally. I have attended a seminar and watched her live lecutres.

Personally, I always felt drawn to KM style acupuncture from the moment I discovered Kiiko’s work. I was graciously gifted her textbooks and began studying KM style acupuncture formally in NY with Dr. Vidhya Rojanavongse in 2024. Dr. V is a student of Kiiko’s who has been approved to teach KM style acupuncture by Kiiko. At Pacific College, I took two elective courses with Dr. V and was an intern on his shift for two terms and an assistant intern on his shift for one term. That experience gave me the opportunity to practice KM style with patients and see how successful the style is.

The acupuncture style is subtle and often uses points located distal to discomfort. It incorporates the use of moxibustion, which can help enhance the effects of the treatment.

Kampo
Kampo is Japanese traditional herbal medicine. Its theoretical and literary basis is rooted in classic texts and teachings from China’s Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) and enriched by cultural and medical experience from Japan. Kampo utilizes abdominal palpation to diagnose and prescribe herbal treatments. The palpation method that is used is called Fukushin 腹診. The basis of the exam is rooted in Shiatsu and takes about two minutes to complete. Click here for a demonstration video by Nigel Dawes.

Nigel Dawes, L.Ac founded the NY Kampo Institute and has been practicing and teaching east asian medicine since the 80’s. The lineage of which his knowledge and practice is based is primarily from Dr. Otsuka Keisetsu with many other teachers informing his work along the way.

I am currently enrolled in a 1.5 year Kampo Internship that delves deeply into the study of Kampo and how to practically use the medicine.

The Kampo style uses classical formulas that are rarely altered from their original forms. A difference with Kampo herbal prescriptions and Chinese prescriptions is the dosing. In general, Kampo uses lower but more frequent dosing of herbs; this way the herbs stay in one’s system continuously. This framework of practicing and diagnosing provides tactile evidence and helps determine constitutional factors as well as internal imbalances to help the clinician be more precise with prescribing.

Trigger point therapy

Trigger point therapy originated from Dr. Janet Travell. Her work on myofascial pain started with Intramuscular Infiltration with Procaine Hydrochloride, meaning injections into muscles to treat pain. Dr. Travell famously treated John F. Kennedy and became the first woman ever to hold the post of White House physician.

Trigger point therapy has now been adopted by many body workers, as trigger points can be released with acupunctuire and various massage styles. I learned this style of acupuncture from Dr. Young Ko at Pacific College. Dr. Ko combines her knowledge of Chinese medicine with Dr. Travell’s trigger points to create balanced treatments. The goal is to use distal points as well as local to help the body release pain and open pathways even after the muscles are released. Chinese medicine emphasises that idea that everything in the body is connected. Dr. Ko has found that in applying this theory, treatments are more effective compared to treatments that only focus on the local releases.

This style of acupuncture is beneficial for myofascial pain, especially for athletes, those with chronic pain, and those recovering from musculoskeletal injuries.

The sketches below show some pathways of pain in relation to trigger points. To learn more about the pathways www.triggerpoints.net provides a great reference too.

Images from, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual

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