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

ABSTRACT

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