The Role of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Modern Medicine

-Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment at medical institutions-

Abstract

The author has gained clinical experience in acupuncture and moxibustion at the Pain Clinic of the Department of Anesthesiology, the Department of Physical Medicine (now the Department of Allergy and Rheumatology), the Department of Geriatrics at the University of Tokyo Hospital and the Printing Bureau Hospital of the Ministry of Finance, psychiatric and internal medicine clinics, and integrated health care facilities. From our clinical experience and research in acupuncture and moxibustion, we believe that in order to position acupuncture and moxibustion in modern medicine, it is important to understand diseases and symptoms from a modern medical perspective, to understand the disease state, to provide treatment based on the disease state, and to evaluate and examine the efficacy and usefulness of acupuncture and moxibustion on a scientific basis. Acupuncture and moxibustion are characterized by the following: 1) Individualized patient care is possible, 2) treatment is possible even without a diagnosis, 3) there are few side effects that are harmful to the body, 4) it is possible to selectively approach the tissue near a lesion, and 5) as a non-pharmacotherapy, it can be combined with modern medical treatments (such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy). With these characteristics, acupuncture and moxibustion can be useful as non-invasive forms of treatment in modern medicine. Furthermore, what is required of acupuncture and moxibustion practitioners is the ability to cooperate with doctors and other medical professionals to gain a common understanding and mutual trust.