Kitasato University Oriental Medicine Research Center
Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion
What kind of people come to receive treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion treatment?
The leading ailments of patients who come to our department for treatment are lower back pain and stiff shoulders. These are followed by numerous diseases of the motor organs such as osteoarthritis of the knee, cervicobrachial syndrome, and sciatica; a variety of indefinite pains of the limbs and neuralgia; as well as autonomic disorders, excessive sensitivity to cold, and menopausal disorders. Acupuncture and moxibustion can be used for treating a wide range of diseases, and demonstrate positive therapeutic effects on internal diseases as well as gynecological and pediatric conditions. We are seeing a growing number of patients visiting our hospital in recent years in the hope of treating constitutional problems such as atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, and bronchial asthma.
Acupuncture treatment entails minimum discomfort
The needles are about 0.14 to 0.18 mm thick, and about 6 cm long. The insertion is gentle and causes almost no pain, since the needle tip is tapered extremely thinly, and because we use a special tube to help the needles to go in smoothly.
Safe acupuncture treatment
At our Acupuncture and Moxibustion department, we use specially-ordered disposable needles that have been completely disinfected by ethylene oxide gas treatment. Stainless steel needles that are used for individuals as needed are first sterilized in an autoclave, where they undergo high-pressure steam antiseptic treatment. This eliminates any risk of infection with hepatitis or AIDS viruses. When providing treatment, moreover, we use pillow cases and treatment garments that have been thoroughly washed each time. We place the utmost importance on cleanliness at all times to ensure that all our patients can undergo acupuncture treatment with peace of mind.