My name is Hiroshi, and I am in charge of acupuncture treatment at Kaki Kōfū.
Today, I would like to write a little about “Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy,” which is also my wife’s chronic condition.
This will be a rather long text, so I hope those who are interested will take the time to read it.
目次
Introduction
Until now, we had refrained from sharing details about her illness publicly, out of respect for her wishes.
However, with recent developments, we felt it was time to inform everyone properly, and so we made a formal announcement.
https://kakikofu.com/news/important/
Along with that, I’ve come to feel it is important to raise awareness and understanding of this disease.
There are still many people around the world who suffer from rare and intractable conditions with unknown causes.
Dilated cardiomyopathy is one of them.
So, what exactly is Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy?
Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy is said to affect more than 18,000 people in Japan. It has been officially designated as an intractable (rare and difficult-to-treat) disease by the Japanese government, and there is currently no established, disease-specific cure. (Disease Information Center: https://www.nanbyou.or.jp/entry/3985)
The main characteristics include enlargement of the left ventricle and a decrease in the heart’s ability to contract.
Although modern medicine has yet to offer a definitive cure, treatment typically begins with medications such as beta-blockers (which help the heart rest) and angiotensin receptor blockers (which help protect the heart).
In addition, diuretics may be prescribed to reduce fluid retention, and cardiac
stimulants may be used to enhance the heart’s pumping ability when needed.
My wife also takes multiple medications daily, and watching her, I can tell that the treatment is quite effective.
Medical therapies continue to advance, so we hope that even more effective medications will eventually be developed.
We especially have great hopes for regenerative medicine, including iPS cell-based therapies.
When drug therapy alone is insufficient, non-pharmacological treatments are considered ̶ such as pacemaker implantation or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).
If those too prove ineffective, heart transplantation or the implantation of a ventricular assist device (VAD) may be necessary.
This time, my wife has followed this treatment path and made the decision to take the first step toward a future heart transplant.
This is the nature of a condition known as Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
Cardiomyopathy
First, let’s begin with the term “idiopathic.”
“Iidiopathic” means that the condition arises without a known cause ̶ essentially, it is a more clinical way of saying “cause unknown.”
However, this does not mean that there is no cause at all. Rather, it means that current science and medicine have yet to identify it. In the future, it may become possible to determine the underlying cause.
The heart is composed of a large, powerful muscle known as the myocardium, and diseases that affect this heart muscle itself, impairing its ability to function properly, are called cardiomyopathies.
In other words, Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart muscle abnormally enlarges or dilates for unknown reasons, making it difficult for the heart to perform its normal pumping functions.
The heart is divided into four chambers: the right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle.
A characteristic feature of this condition is the dilation of the left ventricle.
The heart serves as a pump to circulate blood throughout the body.
Oxygen-rich arterial blood from the lungs is pumped to the entire body by the strong contractions of the left ventricle.
In this disease, however, the heart’s ability to contract is impaired, making it difficult to pump blood effectively throughout the body.
This condition is referred to as left-sided heart failure.
In my wife’s case, doctors told us that her heart is functioning at less than 30% capacity.
Her primary physician explained it this way: “It’s like the elastic in a pair of pants that has been stretched out – it just doesn’t snap back anymore.”
Because the myocardium can no longer contract properly, the heart compensates by enlarging in an attempt to maintain blood flow – this is why the condition is called dilated cardiomyopathy.
I still remember how shocked I was when I first saw an X -ray of my wife’s heart after we got married.
It was significantly enlarged.
After seeing that image, I began treating her regularly with acupuncture and Qigong for several months.
Subsequent hospital tests clearly showed that her heart had reduced in size. It was a moment that deeply affirmed the potential of the human body.
However, while this was an encouraging clinical experience, the heart was still
abnormally large – that reality had not changed.
Invisible Symptoms
This condition is a form of heart failure, so the symptoms are multifaceted and may include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, palpitations, swelling (edema), and arrhythmias.
In more severe cases, it can lead to the formation of blood clots, kidney failure, and other complications that affect the entire body.
When the heart is not functioning properly and blood circulation is impaired, this creates what traditional East Asian medicine refers to as “瘀血oketsu” – a state of blood stasis or congestion.
According to Kampo (traditional Japanese medicine), this 瘀血oketsu can result in the formation of blood clots.
When I first met my wife, I didn’t know much about her condition.
Unknowingly, I took her to places with hills and many stairs, not realizing how difficult that could be for her.
Even a staircase that most people wouldn’t think twice about left her needing frequent breaks and gasping for air ̶ and I remember thinking, “She really has no stamina.” Looking back now, that was thoughtless of me ̶ completely unacceptable, especially for someone in the medical field.
From Jiyugaoka Station to Kaki Kōfū, I used to think of the route as being entirely flat. But for my wife, it’s a slope.
And when she pointed that out, I noticed that yes, there is a very slight incline ̶ but I was shocked that her cardiopulmonary function was so reduced that she would perceive that as a hill.
Apparently, this is something that many people with heart failure experience and relate to.
Over time, my sensitivity has improved.
Now I can actually feel, “Ah, this is an uphill stretch” or “Here, we’re going slightly downhill.”
And when I confirm this with my wife, she tells me I’m right.
Now I truly understand – for someone living with heart failure, stairs and slopes can be a matter of life and death.
What Medicine Can Do
Conditions like this one are difficult to understand precisely because they’re invisible – they don’t show outward signs that people can easily recognize.
For instance, even when someone wears a Help Mark while riding a train, they may be completely ignored.
The Help Mark is a small tag created by a Japanese civic organization for people with physical disabilities or illnesses that are not outwardly visible.
It’s typically attached to a bag or personal item.
However, public awareness is still limited, and some people wearing one are not offered a seat even when standing in front of priority seating.
I see this as a serious issue in Japanese society.
I truly hope public understanding of the Help Mark deepens and that people will
become a little more compassionate.
It’s also part of the reason I decided to write this article ̶ to share information about Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy and to offer insights from Kampo (traditional Japanese) medicine.
There are still many unknown illnesses in the world, including some that don’t even have a name yet.
In my work, I’m often approached by people with conditions I’ve never heard of before. Foreign patients in particular sometimes present with symptoms that are rarely seen in Japan.
Such encounters serve as excellent opportunities to sharpen one’s clinical skills and diagnostic ability.
Even if modern medicine offers no clear treatment, Kampo medicine – with its unique diagnostic system ̶ can sometimes offer viable solutions.
Traditional East Asian medicine doesn’t rely on disease names; rather, it interprets the body’s condition based on the patient’s overall symptoms, diagnostic signals, and clinical findings, then works to restore systemic balance.
In that sense, having or not having a diagnosis is not what determines treatment.
On the other hand, there are also cases where modern Western medicine proves more effective than Kampo.
If a condition is clearly defined and effective, standardized treatment exists, then of course, it should be pursued.
And in emergency situations, Western medicine plays an essential and irreplaceable role.
When I was a student, a professor of pathology at Kobe University’ s School of Medicine gave us a memorable piece of advice:
“You don’t need to do everything yourselves. Let physicians handle what modern medicine can treat.
There are many things doctors can’t do ̶ and that’s when it’s your turn. So do your best.”
At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the weight of those words. But now, I truly understand their meaning.
In fact, I believe it’s thanks to both the blessings of modern medicine and the support of Kampo that my wife has been able to live safely up to now.
Medicine is not omnipotent.
That’s why I hope to see a future where the wisdom of East and West can come
together – for the sake of truly better medicine.
Controlling the Pulse
Let me return to the topic of dilated cardiomyopathy.
After we got married, I regularly took my wife’s pulse ̶ and what I felt was an extraordinarily irregular rhythm known as ketsumyaku (結脈), which is a type of arrhythmia.
I could clearly feel abnormalities in her pulse, breathing, heartbeat, and edema. These troubling signs left me deeply concerned and uncertain how best to proceed each day.
Her blood pressure was low, presenting as a deep pulse (chinmyaku, 沈脈), which in Kampo diagnosis suggests that the disease lies in the Yin aspect of the body.
She also had a thready pulse (saimyaku, 細脈), like a thin thread ̶ indicating deficiencies of both Qi and Blood.
On top of that, the presence of ketsumyaku (irregular skipping pulse) compounded the situation, making it quite a complex condition to manage.
If left untreated, this kind of pattern could progress into more serious arrhythmias, including the risk of atrial fibrillation.
To prevent such outcomes, pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are surgically inserted.
Since our marriage, I had frequently administered acupuncture treatments, but I was unable to suppress the arrhythmia.
Then, in 2019, following a period of overwork, her heart failure suddenly worsened, and she was rushed to the University of Tokyo Hospital for emergency hospitalization.
It was then that she received an ICD ̶ a pacemaker combined with a defibrillator ̶ and was discharged with it implanted.
Since that time, I have not felt that irregular pulse again.
It made me truly appreciate the remarkable control that modern medical devices can
offer.
BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide)
One of the key indicators used to assess heart failure is a blood marker called BNP, which stands for Brain Natriuretic Peptide.
In Japanese, it’s referred to as “脳性ナトリウム利尿ペプチド.”
BNP is a hormone produced in the heart from amino acids. It causes blood vessels to dilate and promotes urination ̶ that is, it has a diuretic effect.
When the heart enlarges and its function declines, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs or throughout the body, this hormone is released to help excrete excess fluid and reduce the heart’s burden.
In short, the higher the BNP level, the more it suggests that the heart is under significant stress, that its pumping ability is compromised, and that blood circulation is deteriorating.
It is one of the most important markers for evaluating heart failure.
In healthy individuals, BNP levels typically fall between 0 and 18.
Up to 40 is not considered heart failure, but suggests that observation is needed. Levels between 40 and 100 indicate the possibility of mild heart failure and warrant continued monitoring.
Between 100 and 200 suggests probable heart failure and that treatment should be considered.
Levels above 200 are considered indicative of definitive heart failure.
If I recall correctly, a few years ago, there was a news report that Empress Emerita Michiko experienced shortness of breath and was found to have an elevated BNP level.
From the time we were married, my wife’s BNP level has consistently been very high ̶ often over 1000 ̶ and from 2018, it began to climb even further.
By the spring of 2019, it had surged to 3800, prompting emergency hospitalization at the University of Tokyo Hospital.
Although my wife appears cheerful and healthy on the outside, she is in a state of advanced heart failure.
That said, BNP levels can also rise due to obesity or kidney dysfunction, so a high value does not always point exclusively to heart failure.
The heart pumps blood, and the kidneys monitor blood concentration and pressure, filtering out waste through urine.
These two organs are linked by the vascular system.
This heart‒kidney relationship is often described through the Renin‒Angiotensin‒ Aldosterone System (RAAS).
It’s not uncommon for heart failure to progress into kidney failure ̶ and vice versa. Therefore, in cases of heart failure, we must always monitor for signs of accompanying kidney dysfunction.
Additionally, heart failure-induced circulatory problems can seriously affect the liver.
One such issue is congestive hepatopathy (congestion-related liver damage).
When heart failure causes congestion in the inferior vena cava ̶ the vein that returns blood from the lower body to the heart ̶ venous pressure rises.
This can result in blood pooling in the liver, leading to hepatic impairment.
The Heart and Kidney Connection – “肝心要 Kanjin Kaname”
In Kampo (traditional East Asian) medicine, it is said that “the Heart（心） is Fire（火）” and “the Kidney（腎）is Water（水）.”
When 火Fire (陽Yo/Yang) and 水Water (陰Yin) interact and harmonize properly, health is maintained.
When they fail to connect, illness arises ̶ a condition referred to as “Heart-Kidney Disharmony” (心腎不交, shinjin fukō).
Therefore, in treating heart disease from a Kampo perspective, it is essential first to supplement and strengthen the Kidney Qi.
The renowned moxibustion master of the Showa era, 澤田健Sawada Ken, taught that heart disease could be resolved by bringing the Qi down into the 丹田tanden (lower abdominal energy center).
This was also a teaching passed down to me by my own master.
In addition, many patients with heart failure, myocardial infarction, or angina pectoris tend to have very stiff areas around the shoulders and upper back.
Using acupuncture to gently and thoroughly release these areas can be extremely effective in treating heart-related conditions.
When heart failure impairs blood circulation, it may also affect the lungs, leading to pulmonary congestion.
This manifests as shortness of breath, coughing, or sputum production ̶ features commonly seen in congestive heart failure.
It’s worth noting that “congestive heart failure” is not a disease name, but rather a description of the state of the heart’s pumping ability.
It essentially reflects the same condition as “heart failure.”
Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a primary underlying disease, and therefore, a formal diagnosis.
It is classified as the “congestive type”, which means it carries a high risk of causing congestion in organs like the liver and lungs.
Taking this into account, we must not focus solely on the heart when dealing with heart failure.
Rather, it is crucial to observe how the condition may be affecting other organs, and to apply a holistic, system – wide approach in treatment.
In my own approach, I begin by guiding Qi into the lower abdomen (the tanden) to supplement it, and then apply acupuncture to the lower back, shoulders, and area between the shoulder blades in order to stimulate the stiffened muscles.
Even just this alone often calms the pulse, stabilizes breathing, and – as my wife would say – brings her body relief and comfort.
In addition, I also apply stimulation to the Liver and Kidneys.
This may involve acupuncture, but often I perform abdominal massage (known as 按腹 Anpuku) to forcibly circulate stagnant blood and relieve internal congestion.
This treatment method is not exclusive to my wife – I generally follow a similar process when treating other patients with circulatory disorders.
From there, I adapt based on pulse diagnosis, abdominal findings, and other tactile observations gathered through palpation.
Even when I do not use needles, I always aim to regulate the flow of Qi, promote blood circulation, and reduce the burden on the heart.
I use techniques focused on:
- Shōkō (昇降) – activating the ascending and descending functions of the major arteries and veins
- Risui (利水) – promoting the elimination of excess fluid from the body
- Shūren (収斂) – guiding the mind and spirit back into the tanden (core)
- Anjin (安神) – calming the spirit and restoring the soul to its proper place
Finally, I always conclude by drawing energy into the tanden – a practice called Shūshin (収神), meaning to gather and store all vital life energy within the body’s center.This is a technique used for people who have been depleted of vital energy – those with serious illness, or even in critical condition.
In the theory of the Five Elements (五行・Gogyo/Wu Xing), the Heart (Fire) is nourished by its mother element, the Liver (Wood), while the Heart and Kidney (Water) are in a controlling (剋Koku/ke) relationship.
In heart failure, the Heart (Fire) is weakened, so it is beneficial to stimulate its mother – the Liver (Wood) – to support it.
At the same time, since the heart is under stress and in a state that can be likened to “overheating,” adjusting the Kidneys (Water) to subdue excess Fire and calm the Heart can also be an effective therapeutic approach.
Traditionally, it has been said that the heart muscle (myocardium), being a “muscle” (kin), is governed by the Liver.
Likewise, the regulation of water metabolism in the body is controlled by the Kidneys.
In modern Japanese, the word “kanjin” (肝心) is used to mean “important” or “vital.” However, in the past, it was written as “kanjin” (肝腎) – literally, Liver and Kidney.
The full expression “kanjin kaname” (肝腎要) points directly to the foundational importance of these organs.
From this perspective, it’s clear that the fundamental approach to heart disease must involve Liver, Heart, and Kidney – kanjin kaname.
Whether one understands this through the lens of 臓腑 Zofu/Zang-Fu organs or through Keiraku/meridian theory doesn’t matter.
Practitioners of Kampo or medicinal cuisine may lean toward the internal organ model, while acupuncturists and shiatsu therapists may prefer to work from the meridian system. Both are valid paths.
Although much of what I did was through trial and error, I always inserted each needle with the hope that it would ease my wife’s suffering, lessen the strain on her heart, and bring improvement to her condition and test values.
If you are someone reading this who is suffering from the same illness – or a similar one – I sincerely hope you will consider not only your hospital treatment, but also visiting a qualified acupuncture clinic for physical care and support.
And if you are an acupuncturist reading this, I hope you will feel encouraged to take on cases of heart failure, and become a source of strength for those patients who need your help.
The Power of Qigong
During my wife’s hospitalization in 2019, her heart condition gradually improved with medication.
However, her BNP levels remained stubbornly high – over 1000.
Her doctor warned us that if the values didn’t come down further, heart transplantation would be the only option left.
My wife’s wish was clear: “I want to keep going with my own heart, as much as possible.
I don’t want a machine in my body.”
In response, I reached out to a senior qigong practitioner and asked him to make a house call to the hospital.
He visited her, and during his time there, he performed about 15 minutes of qigong treatment.
Just a few days later, during a follow-up examination, we were astonished:
The heart-related values that had refused to budge had suddenly and dramatically improved.
Even I was shocked ̶ and at that moment, I finally became convinced: “The power of qigong is real.”
That experience became the catalyst for me to begin serious qigong training and to integrate it into my therapeutic practice.
Naturally, the doctor was also surprised ̶ he hadn’t expected such a result.
But because the numbers had clearly improved, my wife was able to leave the hospital in line with her wishes.
Still, as a physician, he couldn’t ethically discharge her without any form of intervention, so he made a request:
“Please, at the very least, allow us to implant a defibrillator-equipped pacemaker.” We agreed to that condition, the device was implanted, and she was discharged from the hospital.
Willpower and Illness
After her discharge, my wife resumed work while continuing outpatient treatment. Her BNP levels stabilized below 1000, and during her better periods, they dropped to around 500.
However, even her mentor ̶ a Chinese doctor of traditional medicine – once told her, “You’re alive by sheer willpower alone.”
In truth, her body was far from being in a healthy state.
And let’s be clear – even a BNP level of 500 is extremely high. If I had that number, I doubt I’d even be able to stand or walk.
But somehow, my wife had developed a kind of tolerance to her condition.
Even in that compromised state, she traveled domestically and internationally with enthusiasm, and poured her heart into her beloved Kampo consultations.
Her powerful spirit, and her defiant attitude – “I refuse to be beaten by this!” – allowed her to live vibrantly.
You would never have guessed she was gravely ill.
It was a powerful reminder of just how far human willpower can go.
This is something I plan to explore more fully in a separate column, but let me say this here:
There’s a saying in Japanese – “Illness begins in the Ki” – and in this case, Ki refers to one’s vital energy and mental focus.
If you are currently facing illness, anxiety, or hardship, please try to hold fast to this inner statement:
“This is who I want to be. This is what I will do. And because of that, I’ll be fine.” Such strength of mind has the power to awaken your dormant potential.
This time, my wife made the decision to undergo surgery.
She has also come to accept the future that awaits her – a heart transplant, and the side effects of lifelong immunosuppressant therapy.
Perhaps because the inner tension she had been holding for so long finally released, she now seems to struggle even more when walking outside.
She walks slowly, taking frequent breaks, but still appears to be in great discomfort.
Is it the extreme heat? The humidity? The pressure changes in the atmosphere?
I considered many possibilities, but eventually realized that it was likely the release of mental tension – the letting go of that tightly held willpower – that brought about this sudden shift.
There may not be scientific evidence to support this, but there is a basis for it in Kampo medicine.
In traditional understanding, what is essential to a person’s health is their Jing, Qi, Shen – their vital essence, energy, and spirit ̶ and the strength of their mental focus and life force (神意気力).
As the saying goes: “Illness begins in the Ki.”
This is not mere motivational talk or a matter of grit – it points to something deeper: the necessity of activating our latent potential and life energy in order to truly live.
Some people fall ill – even pass away – the moment their inner tension is released.
Perhaps that’s just how life works.
My Wife’s Determination
My wife’s condition was first identified 20 years ago.
She had been diagnosed with heart issues since childhood and had lived with restrictions on physical activity, but it wasn’t until two decades ago that the specific diagnosis was made.
In response, she began studying Kampo medicine as a way to take charge of her own health.
She went on to work for a company specializing in Kampo, where she provided
consultations and taught at a Kampo school.
Even during that time, her BNP levels were consistently high – reportedly remaining above 1000.
Despite periods of both improvement and decline, her heart was gradually weakening. In 2019, her BNP level spiked to nearly 4000, prompting emergency hospitalization.
Fortunately, after three months of treatment, her BNP dropped below 1000 and she was able to be discharged.
For the six years that followed, she lived in a state of delicate balance ̶ walking a tightrope, so to speak – yet to the amazement of her doctors, she remained remarkably stable.
There were moments when we – and even her physicians – began to hope that perhaps she could continue living with her own heart, without ever needing surgery.
Her BNP hovered between 500 and 800.
While those are still abnormally high numbers, it seemed that her body had somehow adapted to this state.
Looking back now, I can say with confidence: it was her extraordinary mental strength that made that possible.
A Turning Point and a New Resolve
Toward the end of 2024, my wife’s BNP levels suddenly began to worsen again. In January 2025, her BNP exceeded 1000, and even her longtime doctor – who had
been closely monitoring her progress – said, “We may be reaching the limit.”
She herself could feel the truth behind those words.
Perhaps the time had already passed when sheer willpower alone could carry her through.
Still, she held firmly to one clear intention:
“I want to continue doing what I love – Kampo consultations. I don’t want to turn down major projects like interviews and company collaborations just because I don’t feel well.” It was with this unwavering resolve that she made the decision to undergo surgery.
Kakikofu was born from her vision – and from our shared efforts to bring that vision to life.
We’ve been through so much together.
There were many other symptoms and complications I haven’t written about here. But we’ve made it this far thanks to the support of our family, friends, and all of you who have embraced Kakikofu.
Without my wife, Kakikofu would not exist.
No matter what path we choose, there will always be moments of doubt.
If we don’t opt for surgery, we may someday regret it, thinking, “Maybe it would have been better if we had done it then.”
And if we do have surgery, we may wonder, “Couldn’t she have continued living happily without it?”
We are human. We are imperfect. That’s how it is.
But at the same time, I believe this:
Whatever path we choose, the future is still open.
Each choice is necessary, inevitable, and the best one we could make in that moment. And so, I’ve decided to fully support my wife’s resolve – her dreams, her hope for the future – and walk this path alongside her.
LVAD – A Mechanical Bridge to the Future
In the upcoming surgery, an artificial pump called an LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) will be implanted into my wife’s heart – specifically, into her left ventricle, which is no longer able to contract properly.
Because her heart muscle can no longer effectively eject blood through natural contraction, the LVAD will take over this function and maintain systemic circulation (major circulation).
This pump is powered by external batteries and managed through an external controller.
From now on, she will need to live with these devices at all times.
Strict management of the controller, battery care, and rigorous hygiene will become a daily necessity.
Traveling abroad will no longer be possible, and we have been advised to remain within a two–hour radius of the University of Tokyo Hospital – most likely to ensure immediate access to emergency care should anything happen.
As a result, returning to Kansai will no longer be simple.
And naturally, I’ve had to pause my lectures in Poland and Italy, which were part of my professional work.
Fortunately, my students – all of whom are healthcare professionals – immediately understood the situation and have begun making alternative plans.
They are reliable and compassionate disciples.
This surgery is considered a bridge therapy leading to a heart transplant.
For patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, modern medicine currently offers only two treatment paths: medication or heart transplantation.
To be eligible for the transplant, the LVAD must first be implanted – and thus, we have arrived at this point.
According to the surgeon, the operation will be a median sternotomy, and the estimated surgery time will be around 6 to 12 hours – a major and demanding procedure.
After the operation, my wife will undergo wound healing and rehabilitation, while learning how to operate the LVAD’s controller, swap batteries, and handle potential malfunctions – all while trying to return to some form of daily life.
Should the device disconnect or the battery run out, it could be life-threatening. That’s why proper equipment management will be critical.
To support her in this, she will need a designated caregiver, referred to as a “caregiver” –
and in our case, I will be the primary one.
We’ve also asked several family members and friends to be part of her support system.
After discharge, whatever we do and wherever we go, we will always be together. That’s because I must always remain within range to hear any alert sounds from the device.
If my wife resumes her lectures at 薬日本堂Kusuri Nihondo (Kampo School), you may see me sitting quietly at the back of the room during her sessions.
I hope you will understand the circumstances when that time comes.
The Potential of the Human Body
Through all these experiences, I have come to firmly believe that the human body is full of potential – nothing but potential.
Even from the standpoint of physiological functions like homeostasis and self-
regulation, this belief holds true.
Whether something can be healed or not – you won’t know until you try.
But one thing is certain: there is no illness without a cause, and nothing in the body is completely beyond the possibility of change or improvement.
Even if a condition is labeled “idiopathic”, that doesn’t mean we should give up. Even designated intractable diseases (nanbyō) are not necessarily incurable.
Over the years, I’ve gained a great deal of clinical experience working with a wide variety of conditions, including many categorized as difficult or rare diseases.
To those suffering from the same illness, to the families supporting them – and to anyone dealing with a completely different condition – I want to say this:
Do not give up.
Do what you can, with the belief that there is always possibility.
Kampo medicine and acupuncture may unexpectedly offer the support you need.
Please, don’t dismiss that potential. Hold on to hope.
Believe in and cultivate your body’s latent abilities and the possibilities that lie within you.
My wife’s case, though deeply personal, has also become a valuable clinical learning experience.
As a family, we are committed to embracing the best of modern medicine, while at the same time drawing fully on the powers of Kampo medicine – including herbal formulas, acupuncture, moxibustion, qigong, and dietary therapy.
Based on our own experience, we’ve seen how effective these can be.
And with that knowledge, we will continue to dedicate ourselves – not just for my wife’s sake, but for the many others who are also struggling with illness.
Closing Words
As of now, there is still no specific or definitive cure for Idiopathic Dilated
Cardiomyopathy.
Various medications have been developed to help reduce the burden on the heart, and my wife has been taking them and clearly feeling their effects.
However, taking medication alone is not enough to guarantee stability.
From a surgical standpoint, the typical course of treatment includes the implantation of a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) like the one she is about to receive, followed by a future heart transplant.
I have treated many patients over the years – relieving pain, addressing various illnesses through acupuncture – and achieved results I can be proud of.
But I have not been able to cure my wife’s heart failure.
This has made me acutely aware of the limitations of my current level as a practitioner.
That is precisely why I intend to continue my training, deepen my knowledge, and not only support my wife moving forward, but also become someone who can offer even the smallest spark of hope to others suffering from similar conditions.
There were things I couldn’t do in the past that I can do now.
So I choose to believe that the things I can’t do now – I will be able to do in the future.
What one acupuncture needle can do may seem small.
But that one needle can activate the nervous system and trigger profound changes throughout the body.
This is now being supported by cutting-edge scientific research.
The thought of a future where Eastern and Western medicine truly work hand-in-hand fills me with hope and excitement.
Since marrying my wife, I’ve been making small monthly donations to the iPS Cell Research Foundation.
I deeply hope that regenerative medicine will one day bring effective treatments for dilated cardiomyopathy – though it seems we still have some way to go.
I will continue to donate in support of a better medical future.
In a few years – perhaps five or six – a heart transplant awaits. When that time comes, I’ll report again.
But first, we must safely complete the LVAD implantation surgery and aim for a healthy discharge from the hospital.
We are currently aiming for October, but the actual discharge date will depend entirely on how the surgery goes.
Even after that, it’s unlikely that my wife will be able to return to work immediately, though we are doing everything we can to enable a swift recovery.
Our clinic may need to reduce its hours temporarily.
We sincerely apologize for the many inconveniences this may cause, but we hope that you can understand our situation and continue to support us in our journey.
Thank you so much for reading all the way to the end.
Oh – one last thing!
Since I’m not fluent in English, I wrote this article in Japanese and had it translated by AI.
I’ve checked the translation as much as I can, but it may not be perfect.
Some expressions might sound awkward, or might not fully convey the nuance I intended.
Please take it with a grain of humor and forgive any mistakes.
With sincere respect and gratitude,
Hiroshi Yamamoto
Acupuncturist, Kakikofu