Though I have been an acupuncturist, I was given an opportunity to study the effects of acupuncture to neurotransmitter, peripheral blood flow, heart stroke volume and immunological changes using noninvasive method in human beings.
However, from the view of my daily clinical work, I have a question whether the effects of acupuncture can be proved using this kind of modern scientific method or not.
In contrast to modern science, according to the basic theory of acupuncture moxibustion, we see a body and a spirit exist simultaneously in human being, not be able to separate. Moreover, acupuncture requires not only theory but also meticulous techniques to treat patients. I have tried to comprehend the real meaning of acupuncture by studying Qui from literature and I found out Qui was not understandable in the Western medicine.
Therefore, in my opinion, modern science is obviously necessary and important for studying the effects of acupuncture, however, it seems almost impossible to resolve the real effects of acupuncture using modern scientific methods.
To become possible to resolve this problem, new method of study which includes ideas of Michael Polani's “tacit dimension” and Imanishi Kinji's analogy needs to develop in the near future.

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Clinical trials of gene therapy have been extensively performed in the world. Actual methods in many types of clinical gene therapy are simply injections of gene transfer vectors and are thus similar to conventional treatments; some of clinical gene medicine may be realized in general practices in near future. On the other hand, regenerative medicine is classified to two types. One is an induction of tissue regeneration within a body using a certain stimulator. The organs to which this strategy can be applied are limited although this type is an ideal treatment. The other is a reconstructive cell transplantation therapy using pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells, which may potentially replace current organ transplantation. Clinical trials of regenerative medicine using bone marrow cells have been performed although their scientific mechanism remains controversial. Importantly, the development and the clinical application of these innovative therapies should proceed with the same aims toward the same goals as acupuncture and moxibustion; i.e., they should also have a close relationship with the Western and the Oriental medicine and the same values of the medical treatment for the whole man.

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Six members of the Research Committee for the Meridian Point (former Committee for the Meridian Point) reported on three themes regarding meridian and acupuncture point at Workshop II of the 54th Science Rally of The Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion held in Fukuoka.
1st theme : Anatomical examination of the meridian and meridian point.
1) Anatomic structure showing path and meridian running. (Kenji Matsuoka) : Similarity of meridian pathway and course of nerve and blood vessels in cadaver.
2) Gross anatomical study of meridian and acupuncture point in upper limbs (Kansho Yamada) : Doctoral study of Katsuyosi Toyoda, former Nagoya City University School of Medicine researcher and Yamada's study (Relation between running of meridian & acupuncture point and subdermal nerve & blood vessels) were reported.
2nd theme : Study of acupuncture safety depth in Japan and China.
1) Research and progress situation of acupuncture safety depth in China. (WANG Cai Yuan) : Data of Yan Zhenguo, professor of anatomy at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, an authority on the study of acupuncture safety depth and progress situation of recent study of acupuncture safety depth in China.
2) Retrospective study of acupuncture safety depth (Tomofumi Ozaki) : Study of acupuncture safety depth published by Ozaki to date and comparative study alongside Prof. Yan Zhenguo data.
3rd theme : Examination of clinical effect of a few meridian points.
1) Acupuncture clinical effect using a few meridian points (Syunji Sakaguchi) : Paper research and analysis of acupuncture clinical effects using 1-4 meridian points of Japana Centra Revuo Medicina.
2) Inflence on skin energizing current by various acupuncture stimulation of LI4 (Gokoku) (Kazuhiro Morikawa) : Influence on the amount of skin energizing current by acupuncture stimulation, direct current electricity stimulation and stimulation of electroacupuncture to LI4.

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We continued reviewing published evidence and information regarding the safety of acupuncture. Subjects in 2005 were as follows :
1. Safety during acupuncture stimulation
2. Quality and strength of acupuncture needle
3. Sterilization and storage of equipments
4. Hygienic handling of equipments
5. Relevant notices from the Government
6. Standards of notification regarding hygienic practice and contaminated wastes
We hope that the information here will influence the future school education, clinical practice, manual editing and research activities.

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[Objective] Although there is some evidence for the efficacy of trigger point acupuncture and tender point acupuncture treatments for chronic low back pain, differences between the therapeutic effect of trigger point needling and that of tender point needling remain unclear. We compared the therapeutic effects of trigger point acupuncture and tender point acupuncture treatment for chronic low pack pain in elderly patients.
[Design] Single-blind clinical controlled trial, quasi-randomized, 2 parallel arms.
[Methods] Nine patients, aged 65 or over, with chronic low back pain for at least 6 months were alternately allocated to the trigger point needling group (n=4) or tender point needling group (n=5). Patients received treatments once a week for five weeks. Outcome measures were pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale : VAS) and pain disability (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire : RDQ).
[Results] After the treatment period, VAS and RDQ values had improved significantly in the trigger point group, but there were no significant improvements in the tender point group.
[Conclusion] Differences in improvement between the trigger point and tender point groups seem to suggest that the trigger point needling was different from tender meridian point needling in respect to the therapeutic effect. Further studies are necessary to fully assess the efficacy of this treatment for chronic low back pain using a blinded or placebo control group.

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[Objective] The understanding and cooperation of dialysis medical staff are indispensable for the widespread introduction of acupuncture treatment in maintenance dialysis medical treatment. In this study, we tried to clarify the level of understanding of acupuncture of dialysis medical staff We also tried to examine change in their opinion of acupuncture after experiencing it. We discussed the possibility of using acupuncture treatment in maintenance dialysis medical treatment.
[Method] At first, we distributed the questionnaire concerning the level of understanding of the acupuncture of dialysis medical staff (n=105) who visited the experience corner. Next, we investigated whether the staff who had experienced acupuncture treatment changed their opinion of it. We also investigated the method and effect of acupuncture.
[Results & Conclusion] Few staff had experienced acupuncture previously. They had fears regarding acu- puncture regardless of their experiences, but these fears were alleviated after acupuncture experience. From these results, it is believed that dialysis staff have an insufficient understanding acupuncture. On the other hand, we considered the possibility that acupuncture could positively contribute to dialysis medical treatment because many staff approved the safety and hygiene levels of acupuncture. It will be necessary to educate staff concerning the effect of acupuncture on maintenance dialysis patients in order that they may be able to effec- tively administer acupuncture in the future.

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Since James Reston's Acupuncture experiece in Beijin in 1971, America opened her eyes to acupuncture. In the 1980's, Joseph M. Helms, M.D.at UCLA studied Chinese acupuncture in France and established AAMA (American Academy of Medical Acupuncture) for physicians and authored his book “ACUPUNCTURE ENERGETICS” which has become the golden textbook for physician acupuncturists. His “energizing” tech-nique for various illness became the standard, Of course, other modalities have been utilized. With Helms' in-fluence, AAMA has grown to 2000 members including those outside the USA. In 2000, ABMA (American Board of Medical Acupuncture) was developed for the physician acupuncturists certified as experts in the field of medical acupuncture. The members are working and studying diligently. At the end of this report, I will discuss my own practice.

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