Do not judge acupuncture by western view of science

2017-06-08 China journal of traditional Chinese medicine

The English page of wikipedia classifies acupuncture as pseudoscience. Almost at the same time, a white paper on traditional Chinese medicine in China was released, which mentioned acupuncture and moxibustion in as many as 12 places, covering classics, theory, clinical, curative effect, communication, etc., all showing the recognition and affirmation of acupuncture and moxibustion. In addition, the law of the People's Republic of China on traditional Chinese medicine was promulgated and came into effect on July 1, 2017, which provided legal guarantee for clinical services, scientific research, talent cultivation, inheritance and dissemination, and protection and development of traditional Chinese medicine including acupuncture.

Acupuncture is not pseudoscience

The theory of acupuncture is based on the theory of meridian. The theory of meridian acupoints of huangdi neijing is not only the basis of acupuncture and moxibustion, but also the achievement of acupuncture and moxibustion and treatment prescription is second to none. "Difficult jing" in the eight - vein theory, needling to complement the methods, qi - derived discourse is outstanding contributions; The detailed discussion of acupuncture depth, needle retention time, moxibustion strength, acupuncture and moxibustion by accident and by accident is worthy of being the first treatise on acupuncture and moxibustion. These classic works discuss the progressive supplement of acupuncture and moxibustion, form a system, originate from practice and guide the practice of acupuncture and moxibustion, and also make the best elaboration and interpretation of stone needle from Stone Age, needle bamboo needle and nine needle methods and treatment effects.

Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in more than 500 diseases, some of which have been shown to be more effective than others. North Korea and Japan were introduced in the sixth century, and Europe in the late 16th century. In 1979, the world health organization recognized the efficacy of acupuncture for analgesia and the treatment of more than 40 diseases such as respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract, and now it has expanded to 64 diseases. Acupuncture was added to the United Nations representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2010. The world health organization counts 103 member states that allow acupuncture, and 18 countries, including the United States, have included it in their healthcare systems. The national institutes of health examined evidence of acupuncture and concluded that it was a science and was acknowledged by congressional hearings.

Science has its limits

The theory of acupuncture and moxibustion includes the theory of five elements of Yin and Yang, the unity of heaven and man, the correspondence between appearance and spirit, and the circulation theory of time, all of which contain philosophical thoughts. The view of the cause of seven emotions and six hermaphroditism, the view of the diagnosis, the principle of syndrome differentiation and treatment, the basis of deficiency and actual filling and reducing techniques, all of them are permeated with the overall view of comprehensive connection and the view of developing and changing movement. Acupuncture and moxibustion prescriptions not only emphasize the combination of taking ashi points and changyuan proximal end, but also take care of the relationship between children and mothers. The treatment of common diseases and different diseases, acute treatment of symptoms, slow treatment of the root is rich in philosophical principles of treatment. It cannot be evaluated by the standards of western view of science.

At present, acupuncture and moxibustion is regarded as pseudoscientific or non-scientific, mainly based on the following principles: imprecise repetition, lack of quantitative standards, invisible meridian system, etc. However, the judgment of science and non-science mainly lies in the "substantiality", and the theory that can be confirmed by facts, experiments or rational deduction is science. Scientific knowledge is limited by historical conditions, and there is a gradual process of understanding science, which is in line with the dialectical materialism epistemology.

According to "pseudo-science", the meridians are not visible to the naked eye, and it is difficult to quantify because the nature of the meridians is the histological gaps formed by the mystery principle. Not to mention that scientists have reported using biophysical methods to accurately measure the meridians of the body, even if they do not see it yet, it cannot be said that it is nothing. Scientific spirit is not easy to confirm and deny things, confirm needs to prove negative also need to prove false, after all the clinical curative effect of acupuncture is visible to all.

Make acupuncture universal

Acupuncture is a name card of traditional Chinese culture. In order to make acupuncture more widely recognized in the world, it is necessary to make unremitting efforts by many practitioners in the fields of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion.

First, gradually formulate industry, national and international standards for diagnosis and treatment. In recent years, the national committee for standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion and the Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion society have issued a number of national and industrial standards for acupuncture and moxibustion. To participate in the formulation of the standards of the federation of world acupuncture and moxibustion societies and the international standardization organization. In 2015, the China acupuncture and moxibustion society issued 9 guidelines for clinical practice of evidence-based acupuncture, which were filled with industry standards. Acupuncture and moxibustion go to the world, calling for more comprehensive industry, national and international standards of diagnosis and treatment.

The second is to innovate and develop this ancient medical method. In history, numerous acupuncture and moxibustion doctors have developed their acupuncture and moxibustion techniques in long-term practice, becoming firmly inherited and innovator, practice and disseminator, making acupuncture constantly bring forth new ideas. For example, floatation needle therapy, acupoint therapy and fire needle therapy are all manifestations of inheritance and development.

The third is the discovery, test and research of meridian. Many scientists in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion have continuously revealed the mechanism of meridians and acupuncture, and are making step by step towards the goal of the nature of meridians in the human body, believing that the mystery of meridians will eventually be completely solved.

Fourth, we should actively and scientifically carry out publicity and promotion work. We will vigorously promote the culture of traditional Chinese medicine, actively promote and promote acupuncture and moxibustion therapy, eliminate false and ostentatious elements, justify traditional Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion with a scientific attitude, strengthen international exchanges, and constantly improve patients' understanding of acupuncture and moxibustion at home and abroad.

We firmly believe that Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion will become a world-recognized medical science and make due contributions to safeguarding the health of the people of our country and the world.