Drastic Change Needed Now For Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion of Tomorrow / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

At the Tokyo Proclamation Symposium, I was responsible for the study of Characteristics of Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion from the clinical viewpoint. The subject was based on an analysis of the discussion of the drafting committee and the results of a survey concerning the acupuncture-moxibustion business conducted by Ido-No-Nihon magazine.<BR>The characteristics of Japanese acupuncture-moxibustion differing from those of general medicine are:<BR>1 st In both diagnosis and treatment "touch"is extremely important<BR>2 nd The development of treatment and diagnostic implements based on Western medical concepts<BR>3rd The development of weak stimulation treatment using insertion tubes and various fine minute needles<BR>4 th Therapy based on a blending of Western medical concepts and classical teachings<BR>5 th The popularity of moxibustion therapy<BR>6 th The importance placed on preventative therapy<BR>7 th Individualized treatment not limited to the main complaint<BR>There is a great diversity of characteristics in Japanese acupuncture-moxibustion but this should not be taken advantage of or lead to complacency.<BR>As individualization is not adaptable to Cartesian science, Western medicine aims for standardization. Also in spite of the fact that the patient's condition is grasped in terms of causes, therapy begins and ends with what is known as allopathic or symptomatic therapy, as analysis of the functions of the whole body systemically and dynamically is impossible. As allopathy applies opposition therapy, when the body temperature is elevated, regardless of the cause, the aim of treatment is to reduce the temperature. Likewise in cases of high blood pressure or glucose count. With Eastern medicine, in order to increase immune power and restrict the activity of bacteria and viruses, treatment is administered to increase the body temperature. Which type of treatment is more substantial is obvious.<BR>With the decreasing birthrate and the aging population one would expect that hereafter the demand for economical acupuncture-moxibustion therapy which safely promotes the natural healing powers of the body and is useful in the prevention of disease should increase. However the reality is, the demand is declining, not only among the general population but also at medical facilities which proves our neglect to analyze the customers'(population and medical facilities) needs and our failure to revolutionize. To rectify this situation, educational reform before and after graduation is a necessity

Series:Conveying Japan acupuncture to the future -in response to the Tokyo Declaration Past, present, and future of Japanese acupuncture / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

As a characteristic of traditional medicine, the direction of development of acupuncture and moxibustion would be headed towards localization. Whereas Western medicine has been developed along the road of globalization, traditional medicine has developed along the path of localization. <BR>So what are the characteristics of Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion, which have been developed locally in Japan?Very delicate procedures for acupuncture and moxibustion, a variety of equipment, diagnosis that emphasizes heart pulse, and combination and compromise of various treatment methods are all such characteristics. These characteristics have been strongly influenced by Japanese culture, spirit, feelings, and mentality.<BR>It has been reported that acupuncture and moxibustion, as traditional medicine, were cultivated in close association with the people of each era. Since they are medical treatments that connote tradition, acupuncture and moxibustion should be able to meet the needs of people in any era. We need to reconfirm this and survey the future of acupuncture and moxibustion.

The wisdom of Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion gaining insight to body and mind / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Introduction]This symposium was organized for the adoption of the Tokyo Declaration for Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion at the final meeting of the congress and was composed of three subjects that were supposed to become a framework for the declaration draft.<BR>[Subjects] 1. History of acupuncture in Japan 2. Analysis of the present circumstances 3. Tasks for the future<BR>The first subject was an explanation of important matters in acupuncture development in Japan, based on the key note lecture given prior to this symposium. The second subject was analysis from both aspects of research studies and clinical situations. The third subject was to be suggestions for further development of acupuncture after revealing present problems. <BR>There are more or less many issues in the acupuncture field;clinical practice, education, research and clinical training, but these issues may not have been approached either systematically or generally before. Whereas, in the light of opinions gathered from many others, many future issues came apparent through the three subjects of this symposium. In conclusion, the goal was to find a strategy that would make Japanese acupuncture become a prevailing therapy in the future more than what it is today.

Toward the Tokyo Declaration of Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion is characterized by its diversity, a diversity which has been created by accepting the knowledge and techniques of foreign origin and ingeniously applying Japanese mentality to convert those techniques to conform to the culture and climate of Japan. Because of its diversity, Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion are considered to be effective complements to and easily integrated with various kinds of modern medicine in such a way that they are considered to be suitable medicines for the 21st century. <BR>International standardization is progressing in the world in this age of globalization. This trend also affects standardization in the medical field, including acupuncture and moxibustion, as evident by the drafting of acupuncture standards for ISO. <BR>However, to promote sound development of acupuncture and moxibustion, it is more important to promote academic exchange that respects the characteristics of the therapy in each country than to promote standardization. Therefore, I believe that dispatching information on the characteristics of Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion both inside and outside the country will contribute to the overall improvement of medicine and blaze a new trail in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion. The Tokyo Declaration (draft) dispatches these concepts to the outside world as well as within Japan.