Traditional Medicine in Asia

Traditional Medicine in Asia
acupuncture–moxibustion moved out of
China into the outside world and combined
with the modern sciences, thus becoming
an inseparable component of world
medical science. Since the 1980s, the
basic theory of acupuncture and moxibustion
has included “Research on
Meridians and Collaterals ” in the special
plan of all the major basic research
projects of the State (State Climbing Plan).
As a result of research during the past half
century, the science of acupuncture–
moxibustion has taken the lead in
modernizing TCM.
Clinical application and
research on acupuncture–
moxibustion
Clinical application and experimental
research has shown that acupuncture–
moxibustion could adjust the functions of
all systems and organs of the human body
and so could effectively prevent and treat
diseases. Chinese medical workers have
carried out extensive research programmes
in the areas of clinical application of
acupuncture–moxibustion, acupuncture
anaesthesia and acupuncture analgesia,
and have accumulated rich experience and
documented significant advances.
Expanding the scope of
clinical application
According to an estimate, there were
approximately 200 diseases that could be
treated by acupuncture–moxibustion in the
1950s. The number increased to 300 by
the 1970s, of which effective treatment was
available for about 100 diseases. In the
meantime, acupuncture anaesthesia was
also being widely used. (1) In 1979, on the
basis of research, the World Health
Organization (WHO) began to disseminate
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safety indications for the use of
acupuncture–moxibustion. WHO also
publicized the first group of 43 acupuncture–moxibustion-treated
diseases,
which involved the respiratory system,
digestive system and neuromuscular–
skeletal system, as well as areas such as
stomatology and the five sense organs.
Clinical practice shows that the indications
for acupuncture–moxibustion encompass
all clinical areas, and satisfactory clinical
results have been obtained, particularly in
the treatment of painful diseases such as
neuromuscular system diseases, sequelae
of cardiocerebral and visceral functional
disorders, dysfunctional diseases of the
endocrine system, diseases due to
depressed immunity, and some allergic
conditions. In addition, acupuncture–
moxibustion has certain clinical benefits in
the treatment of some difficult diseases such
as tumour and organic diseases in which
the toxicity and sequelae are reduced.
Combined with modern medicine,
acupuncture–moxibustion can treat some
life-threatening diseases, such as chronic
renal insufficiency, myocardial infarction,
haemorrhagic fever, and acute perforating
ulcers. Infectious and infective diseases
such as viral hepatitis, pulmonary
tuberculosis, epidemic parotitis, bacillary
dysentery and acute mastitis can also be
treated. Acupuncture–moxibustion also
has an effect on the union of fractures,
ovulation, and helps in easing labour pains
and in correcting abnormal foetal position.
In 1996, a special issue—The Frontiers
of Medicine—was published in the United
States of America. This issue focused mainly
on the Chinese acupuncture therapy, which
was included as a special topic. In
November 1997, the National Institutes of
Health (NIH), USA, held a special meeting
with more than 1000 participants. The
meeting discussed the effect of acupuncture