Contrary to its growing global popularity as an alternative treatment, when it comes to international standards, the age-old practice of acupuncture falls short.
In particular, concerns have been raised over the lack of international standards regarding the type and quality of acupuncture needles currently in use. Some acupuncturists and oriental medicine practitioners have also been voicing the need to set standards that could be implemented universally.
[Interview : Choi Sun-mi, Chief Researcher Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine] "Once we build an international norm for needles, we can safely produce and distribute quality needles. This is why its important to set international standards for them."
Theoretically, there are nine types of needles. But, in reality, practitioners use a variety of different needles for one or two of the nine types as they see fit. On top of that, more kinds of needles are being developed to enhance efficacy.
[Interview : Chris Zaslawski, Traditional Chinese Medicine University of Technology, Sydney] "This is the third making for the development of international standard for acupuncture needles. And it's to do with the standardization on an international level for all countries."
A group of experts from Korea, Japan, Australia and Vietnam have been working to set those standards and say they are close to completing standards for disposable needles.
Korea, for its part, hopes that standardization will provide a platform to showcase Korean-made needles in overseas markets.
[Interview : Song Ju-young Korean Agency for Technology and Standards] "If we can reach an agreement on the norms and implement them, we can then propose guidelines and further develop needle producing technology in Korea. This, in turn, could lead to increased credibility of Korean needles overseas."
Standardization, if successful, is hoped to enhance the credibility of acupuncture in general and also help Oriental medicine gain a more scientific backing. While acupuncture is generally recognized as an alternative treatment for various medical conditions there is also controversy over its effectiveness due to differing scientific studies.
Lee Jung-hwa, Arirang News.
FEB 14, 2009
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Wednesday, FEB 10, 2010, (KST) 
