ABSTRACT
It is indicated in this Symposium that a goal of Japanese Acupuncture Study is to establish culture-based medicine. However, because of insufficient understanding of modern medicine among acupuncturists in Japan, systematic postgraduate training has become one of the most urgent programs. Acupuncturists in Japan should be included in the medical system as co-medical staff such as nurses, PTs, and so on, in the near future. <BR>All speakers emphasized that Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion have developed their identity using various methods in the past, although there a healing was popular in the public apart from the main medical field. It is, therefore, agreeable to standardize the educational system in its present medical field in Japan. <BR>On the other hand, it is interestingly accepted for foreign researchers that Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion are well recognized as characteristic treatment with specifically delicate and fine techniques and tools. Even so, they originated from Traditional Chinese Medicine over twenty centuries. <BR>Since the recent introduction of Oriental Medicine to the regular curriculum of modern medical education in all Japanese Medical Colleges, acupuncture and moxibustion as well as Kampo have born an important role as a holistic medicine with a recognition of an illness perceived by the patient in the 21 st century.
ABSTRACT
To investigate the effects of Kampo and a rehabilitation approach on patients with spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD), a 65-year-old female patient with SCD was treated with Ogi-kenchu-to and therapeutic exercise based on the Bobath concept.<br>She had a gait disturbance (unable to walk) with slightly increased muscle tonus and deep sensory disturbance in the left leg before therapy. In Kampo confirmations, there was a generalized cold feeling and fatigue due to decreased physical fitness. In the electrophysiological study, the amplitude of Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR) and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SEP) in the left side showed a greater decrease than those in the right side. The amplitude of the F-wave in the left side showed a greater increase than that of the right side.<br>After two months of this therapy, the patient was able to walk unassisted. Improvement in the neurological and general findings, along with normalization of the ABR, SEP and F-wave were also observed.<br>It was suggested that Kampo therapy using Ogi-kenchu-to and therapeutic exercise based on the Bobath concept were effective in the treatment of this patient with SCD.
ABSTRACT
It has been suggested that various neurological diseases (particularly those accompanying aging, the cranial nerves, etc.) involve oxidative stress. Some of these diseases have been successfully controlled with traditional herbal medicine. In the present study, Ougi-keishi-gomotsu-to, reported to be effective against subacute myelo-opticoneuropathy (SMON), showed an inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation of homogenate by hydroxy radical, a type of active oxygen derived from the interaction of Fe<sup>3+</sup> and 8-hydroxyquinoline. 8-hydroxyquinoline is a homologue of chinoform, which is causally related to the pathogenic process of SMON. It has also been indicated that Ougi-keishi-gomotsu-to has a hydroxy radical scavenger with radical-quenching effects. It is, therefore concluded that Ougi-keishi-gomotsu-to has an inhibitory effect on oxidative stress.
ABSTRACT
A study was made of the suitability of acupuncture for neuropathies. The present case of polyneuropathy showed decreased vibratory sense as well as other disturbed sensory functions which were not improved by medication. The Kampo diagnosis of this case was determined to be deficient qi and blood, and deficient qi with stagnated blood. The treatment indicated by this diagnosis was harmonizing the qi and blood, and unblocking the meridians. Such disorders with other complaints were improved by acupuncture and medication.<br>The case study presented here indicated how acupuncture could be used for certain neuropathies.