<b>Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Hospitals—Acupuncture Practitioners Should Participate as Hospital Therapists </b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

Acupuncture and moxibustion are not fully or well-utilized in the medical system, particularly in the hospitals of Japan. If they were more commonly practiced in hospitals, disorders and disease conditions that are not improved by modern Western medicine might be better treated. In addition, collaboration between acupuncturist and Western medical doctors would promote the research of acupuncture, moxibustion, and related techniques.<br>However, to achieve these aims, improvements in the quality of acupuncture and moxibustion education would be needed. Also, hospitals that are presently using acupuncture and moxibustion for routine treatment would have to demonstrate their usefulness and how this is contributing to patients' health.<br>Having acupuncture and moxibustion therapists (AMT), as a defined occupation in hospitals, was proposed in 1981, although this has not yet been realized. However, we believe that hospital AMTs would be necessary for the progress of acupuncture and moxibustion, as well as for national health care and the medical system in Japan.