Traditional Medicine in Asia

Traditional Medicine in Asia
hundred types of diseases. Further research
on points prescription, the degree of
acupuncture stimulation, supplementary
medication and surgical performance has
improved the effect of acupuncture
anaesthesia, which proved to be effective
for about 30 kinds of operations. Of these,
the anterior basocranial, cervical vertebrae,
thyroid gland, tooth extraction, caesarean
section, pneumonectomy and abdominal
ligation of oviduct have received
approbation at the Chinese ministerial level.
Acupuncture anaesthesia is regarded as a
common practice with a success rate of
80 per cent. Some of the difficult
operations such as throat restoration, renal
transplantation, and operation in the
functional area of the brain, have been
successfully carried out with acupuncture
anaesthesia. After years of exploration, the
points for acupuncture anaesthesia
operation have been streamlined, and the
practice of acupuncture has become
simpler and more effective.
Indications of acupuncture
treatment
Visceral diseases
Acupuncture–moxibustion has an adjusting
function with all the organ systems.
(1) Respiratory system: Acupuncture–
moxibustion has an adjusting function with
78
Acupuncture–moxibustion has
an adjusting effect with the
heart rate, rhythm of the
heartbeat, blood pressure. It can
be used for the treatment of the
blood vessels of the brain and
rheumatic heart diseases.
the frequency and amplitude of respiratory
movement, the motor function of bronchial
smooth muscle, ventilation, vital capacity,
airway resistance, respiratory muscle
strength, and the movement of the
diaphragm. Hence, it can be used for the
treatment of acute and chronic bronchitis, 4
bronchial asthma, 5 and haemoptysis of
pulmonary origin. 6 Central and peripheral
respiratory failure can also be treated by
electric acupuncture at the points of Su Liao
(GV25), Nei Guan (PC6), and Tai Chong
(LV3), etc.
(2) Cardio-cerebral system: 7 Acupuncture–moxibustion
has an adjusting effect
with the heart rate, rhythm of the heartbeat,
blood pressure, function of the peripheral
blood vessels, functional state of the left
heart, coronary function and cerebrovascular
function. It can be used for the
treatment of the blood vessels of the brain, 8
rheumatic heart diseases and acute
myocardial infarction. 9 It was discovered
that the treatment of wind stroke and the
absorption of blood following cerebral
haemorrhage can be promoted by
acupuncture at Nei Guan (PC6). Following
intensive research, Professor Shi Xuemin
found an effective acupuncture method for
the treatment of wind stroke.
(3) Circulatory system: Acupuncture–
moxibustion adjusts the red-cell count in
the peripheral blood, haemoglobin content,
surface charge density of the red blood
cells, and the content of oxygen and
carbon dioxide. Therefore, there are
occasional reports of acupuncture
treatment for primary thrombocytopenic
purpura 10 or haemorrhage, thrombocytosis
after splenectomy due to schistosomiasis,
and hypoimmunity induced by
radiotherapy and chemotherapy. 11
(4) Alimentary system: Acupuncture–
moxibustion can effectively adjust the
movement of the digestive canal, secretion