The Acupuncturist’s Toolbox – Pepijn Zuurdeeg on Combining Acupuncture Styles

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In the blog series The Acupuncturist’s Toolbox, we take a look inside the practices of various NVA members. Every acupuncturist has their preferred method, one that best suits their way of working and their clients’ complaints.

For Pepijn Zuurdeeg, things are slightly different. His strength lies in variation: depending on the complaint and the person, he applies a different combination of styles each time, as if selecting just the right tool from a well-stocked toolbox.

How would you describe your way of working?

The styles I often use are those of Dr. Tan, Master Tung, abdominal acupuncture, and ear acupuncture. These work very well for pain complaints because they can bring about quick changes. But I like to think out of the box and consider complaints from different perspectives. Every client is unique – just like a fingerprint – and therefore requires their own approach.

It also suits me to combine styles, make changes, and develop methods that are just a little different. I distill what works for me from styles that I can feel and discard the rest. Everything I do, I want to experience or live through first. That's why I'm often the first to volunteer as a test subject at refresher courses.

I've actually applied that principle throughout my entire life. I have been practicing kung fu for 36 years now, where medicine (acupuncture, pressure points, massage, and herbs) is a fixed component. That was also the reason for becoming an acupuncturist. But even in cooking, which I enjoy, I never follow a recipe literally. I always adjust it to my own taste and insight. If it works, it's right. If it doesn't work, I just change it again. That's how I also look at my profession: flexible, curious, and always evolving.'

What does a treatment look like in practice? Can you give an example?
'A treatment always begins with a conversation and pulse diagnosis. I also examine the tongue, measure the meridians with the Acugraph (a digital measuring tool), and can digitally assess the ear for disturbances. In this way, I combine traditional diagnostic methods with modern techniques, gathering as much information as possible about what is out of balance in the body.

From there, I select the style—or combination of styles—that best matches the complaint and the individual. For pain, I often use points on the arms or legs according to the Dr. Tan or Master Tung methods, which can quickly relieve, for example, back pain. For neurological issues such as headaches or nerve pain, I often use scalp acupuncture and auricular acupuncture, supplemented with points from another style to enhance the effect.

One example: a client came to me with long-term migraine. With scalp and auricular acupuncture, I was able to calm the nervous system. At the same time, I applied points from abdominal acupuncture to restore balance in the body. After just a few treatments, the client experienced significantly fewer migraine attacks.'

When do you notice that your way of working really makes a difference for a client?
'When noticeable change occurs within one to three treatments: less pain, more relaxation, better sleep, or more energy. Change is crucial to me. If there’s no improvement after three sessions, I adjust my approach and choose another angle or a different combination of styles.

For example, I once treated a client with severe menopausal symptoms and frequent hot flashes. I started with a combination of Dr. Tan points, but after three treatments there was still no effect. I then decided to repeat the same treatment, but this time using laser acupuncture at a specific frequency. The effect was remarkable: the hot flashes disappeared, hormonal complaints diminished, and the measurements clearly showed a major improvement.

With every new complaint I haven’t treated before, my brain immediately starts puzzling to find a solution. It’s precisely this process of searching and adapting that makes my work so fascinating and challenging.'

Do you also combine this way of working with other techniques or treatments? If so, how do you ensure good alignment?
'Yes, I almost always combine different styles and techniques. My toolbox is extensive: from classical methods such as Dr. Tan, Master Tung, Japanese, and abdominal acupuncture to modern techniques such as laser and electroacupuncture.

I also frequently combine acupuncture with counseling or coaching. I find it important that clients are actively involved in their recovery. The path to healing is a joint journey. I guide, but ultimately we work together with the body’s self-healing capacity.

For this, I use the pulse and the body as my monitor. In fact, I only need to follow the highly intelligent body to achieve good results. Making choices with my head alone is not always in line with what the body wants or knows. By taking the body’s signals seriously, I often get to the root of the complaint much more quickly.'

What have you learned over the years about working with this approach?
'Over the years, I have learned that no method always works. Each client responds differently. That is why I have increasingly started combining and thinking flexibly. I have started approaching complaints from multiple angles and delivering more customized solutions.

I discovered that many clients with ADD/ADHD come to my practice. The interaction with them is very natural. There is often an immediate connection between me and the client. That contact is often refreshing and inspiring. That is why I have decided to specialize in this group. The combination of counseling/coaching with different acupuncture styles often works very well with these clients.

Additionally, I am increasingly looking at complaints in a more holistic way: body and mind continuously influence each other. Sometimes an emotional blockage hinders physical recovery, and sometimes it is the other way around. That is why I increasingly treat on both levels simultaneously, with acupuncture and coaching.

I also strongly believe in collaboration. For me, the solution often lies in combining conventional and complementary care. A future dream of mine is to collaborate multidisciplinary in a team with different disciplines, so that clients receive the best possible care.'

Versatility as a Guiding Principle
While some acupuncturists focus mainly on one method, Pepijn Zuurdeeg shows that versatility itself can be a strength. His way of working makes it clear that acupuncture is not a fixed recipe, but tailor-made care in which each client is placed at the center.

Keep following our series The Acupuncturist’s Toolbox for more inspiring stories from practice!