Purpose:
Historical and clinical parameters must both be applied to gain a meta- perspective on the field of acupuncture as it further evolves to meet the health challenges of the current and future world village
With the 21st century, it is necessary to re-examine the tremendous potential inherent in Acupuncture as a therapeutic system, so well integrated into contemporary Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This conference allows us to explore the frontier of America's fastest growing CAM technology (acupuncture) in light of its sister healing art: Qigong. Limited understanding and jingoistic interpretations must be transcended. The activation and modulation of the living body's energy field with specialized tools and techniques applied at specific loci has a long history. Although the origin of Acupuncture is commonly attributed to East Asia, there has been a long debate between world scholars about 'who came first': Ayurvedic or Chinese Medicines. The impact of the Iceman mummy discovery in northern Italy has yet to be felt. Clearly these techniques are widespread among the world's peoples, their origins unknown, and traditional versions quite diverse. It is the work of this conference to explore the commonality underlying varied approaches to the human bio-field (body/energy/ mind), and how it can be accessed and affected via mechanical, energetic, and subtle means. The Chinese managed to synthesize this entire area into a coherent and elegant model ,which is vitalistic, holistic, and theoretically seamless. It is an affront to represent modern simplifications such as Amarro's 'chiropractic acupuncture' or Helms' 'medical acupuncture' as being superior to their Chinese progenitor.They are not even modern, compared to quantum physics (Ng's work with quantum foam) and field theory (the Zhang-Popp hypothesis).
Technological development has lead to entirely new applications in praxis of Oriental Medicine, acupuncture diagnosis and treatment. Some examples:the Chinese discovery of electro-acupuncture, varied Japanese tools such as ion pumping cords and biomagnets, Russian development of laser and sonopuncture.Others have contributed sub-systems of diagnosis and treatment such as the French (Nogier's) auriculo-therapy and the Korean Sooji hand acupuncture. Most significant are the possible directions which are offered by whole new branches of the acupuncture tree: Electro Dermal Screening (EDS), and Applied Kinesiology ( AK). EDS was developed in Germany by Voll as a form of Akabane, it has grown huge as bio-energetic screening ,diagnosis, and treatment. AK as developed by Goodheart is wildly popular with chiropractors, morphing into the NAET program.
We see tremendous clinical viability for these approaches in refined diagnostics. EDS can detect problems with toxicity, hidden infections, cavitations etc. For example mercury amalgam toxicity feeding auto immune conditions.With the unprecedented range of chemical, electromagnetic, and viroid trauma being visited on our population we need dynamic changes in our medical paradigm, which acupuncture bio-energetics can provide.
Conclusion:
By assessment of acupuncture's past strengths and its evolving technologies, we can better participate in a conscious development of this powerful bioenergetic therapy. Medical anthropology as a methodology of study and Oriental Medicine's clinical results as practical guideposts are useful in defining trends and directions. With both academic and clinical components as strong roots, future research studies can be successfully put into place.
