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R.H. BANNERMAN, M.D World Health Organization Avenue Appia 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Abstract:
A World Health Organization interregional seminar on
acupuncture, moxabustion and acupuncture anesthesia was held in
Beijing (Peking) in June 1979, attended by participants from twelve
countries. Its purpose was to discuss ways in which priorities and
standards could be determined in the acupuncture areas of clinical
work, research, training, and technology transfer. Scientific
investigation must be closely correlated with demonstrations of
acupuncture's clinical efficacy. Apart from acupuncture analgesia
used in major surgical procedures, acupuncture also has been applied
as a diagnostic aid and in conjunction with fluoroscopy in
gastrointestinal diseases. Acupuncture is clearly not a panacea for
all ills but the sheer weight of evidence demands that acupuncture
must be taken seriously as a clinical procedure of considerable value.
During the past decade, there has been a growing convergence between
the most advanced research knowledge from physiology, biochemistry
and pharmacology, and knowledge obtained by research in the field
of acupuncture; that is to say, a convergence of modern international
science with traditional Chinese medicine. For example, in more than
600 cases of coronary heart disease, the effectiveness of acupuncture
in relieving the symptoms was over 80 percent. In 645 cases of acute
bacillary dysentery, 90 percent of the patients were cured within ten
days as judged by clinical symptoms and signs and the results of stool
culture. The technique is also comparatively effective in controlling
fever, inflammation and pain.
From the viewpoint of modern medicine, the principle action of acupuncture
(and of moxibustion) is to regulate the function of the human body and
to increase its resistance by enhancing the immune system and the
antiphlogistic, analgesic, antispastic, antishock and antiparalytic
abilities of the body.
The World Health Organization Interregional Seminar drew up the
following provisional list of diseases that lend themselves to
acupuncture treatment. The list is based on clinical experience,
and not necessarily on controlled clinical research: furthermore,
the inclusion of specific diseases are not meant to indicate the
extent of acupuncture's efficacy in treating them.
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