Pyongyang, August 8 (KCNA) -- Acupuncture and moxibustion, the Korean people's traditional therapies, are widely used in many countries.

They have brought many changes to medical treatment.

More than 300 diseases were treated with needle and moxibustion in the 1970s but the figure went up to 500.

Along with the developing science and technology, successes have been made in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion and their application methods updated.

New treatment methods have been developed with traditional acupuncture and moxibustion therapies combined with modern medicine.

Research in the theory of acupuncture and moxibustion has also made progress.

It has been recognized that acupuncture and moxibustion give good effects on functional regulation, pain killing, immunity improvement, ageing prevention and health promotion. The research in the Kyongrak theory, an elementary theory of ancient medicine, and acupuncture points made clear the important role of the nerve system.

The prospect of acupuncture and moxibustion is viewed as bright.

Diagnosis of acupuncture points will be replaced by apparatus diagnosis to put acupuncture and moxibustion on a scientific and modern basis. Acupuncture and moxibustion will be applied to the treatment of intractable diseases, as well as weight reduction and ageing prevention.

Acupuncture and moxibustion are also used at home.