Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Interested in spirituality symposiums
The 27th Annual Meeting of The Society for Integrative Medicine Japan Academic Conference (Conference Chair: Shizuo Yamada, Special Professor, Shizuoka University) was held at the Shizuoka Convention and Arts Center Granship on December 16 and 17, 2023. Among the many lectures and symposiums held, the symposium was chaired by Dr. Kiyoshi Suzuki, president of the MOA Health Science Center (foundation) and director of the society. In addition, researchers from the MOA Health Science Center, as well as doctors and nurses from medical corporations and clinics affiliated with MOA International Inc., gave presentations on their research.
At the symposium “Spirituality and Integrative Medicine,” chaired by President Suzuki, presentations were given by Kaoru Sakatani, special researcher at the Institute of Gerontology at the University of Tokyo; Shinzo Kato, professor emeritus at Keio University and director of MOA Takanawa Clinic; and Taisyu Kawano, vice director of RESM Shin-Yokohama Sleep and Respiratory Medical Care Clinic. The event was packed with medical professionals and people from medical-related companies, indicating a high level of interest.
Special Researcher Sakatani gave a presentation on the role of spiritual care in medical care. While modern medicine is based on reductionism, which sees humans as a collection of elements such as parts and organs, complementary and alternative medicine emphasizes holism, viewing the patient as an integrated being made up of many elements including the body, spirituality, mind and environment. He stated that integrative medicine is a form of medicine that combines reductionism and holism, and that holistic medicine, which is based on holism and emphasizes spirituality, has the potential to complement what is lacking in modern medicine.
Professor Emeritus Kato explained that holistic medical care, which takes into account not only the body human condition but also the psychological, social, and spiritual aspects, is the most profound form of integrative medicine, and that spiritual care is care for the deepest parts of human beings. He spoke about the significance of providing spiritual care to people with chronic illnesses who live with spiritual care worries, and how this can be provided without being bound by religious frameworks.
The announcement was made by Deputy Director Kawano, who is also a Rinzai sect priest. Zen Buddhism has inherited spiritual training such as Zazen that places emphasis on individual spirituality, and in modern times, the medical application of mindfulness, which has been programmed using these techniques, is progressing. He said that a therapist’s knowledge and experience of spirituality and faith often transcends religious boundaries and helps patients to become more aware and self-acceptant.
Questions from the audience included, “When did you feel a sense of spirituality in your interactions with patients?” In response, the speakers and Chairman Suzuki talked about how the patient’s faith was the driving force behind the improvement that could not be achieved through medication, and about a child patient who could have died at any time but managed to survive long enough to meet with his parents in prayer, and who then lost his pulse as he said “Amen” to God, and how they recalled this experience of feeling a real sense of the existence of an afterlife and a spiritual world. The audience listened warmthfully.
Published research on Purifying Therapy as a certified collaborator
In the general topics (poster presentations), seven people related to MOA gave presentations on their research and cases (presentation topics and presenters are listed separately). Nurse Kenyuki Tomishima of MOA Oku-Atami Wellness Center, who is a Purifying Therapy therapist and certified collaborator of The Society for Integrative Medicine Japan gave a presentation titled “A Case in which Okada Purifying Therapy (Bio-Energy Healing) was Useful for holistic Care.”
A patient (in his 60s) suffering from both spinal disc herniation and lumbar spinal canal stenosis underwent 60-minutes of Purifying Therapy 7-8 times a month for 5 years. As a result, not only did the patient’s pain and numbness decrease, but his anxiety was also eliminated and he began to enjoy gardening and exercise, and he also began to participate in social welfare activities and help out at a senior citizens club. The cleansing therapy improved both his body and mind, and he felt an increase in his quality of life and spirituality. Participants expressed their hope for the accumulation of more data, including other examples of improvement.
The conference featured many lectures and symposiums, including a lecture by Chairman Yamada entitled “Considering healthy longevity in the era of 100-year lifespans – mind, body, food and medicine” and a lecture by the society’s representative director, Toshiki Ito, entitled “Healthy longevity and integrative medicine: a consideration of the process of human evolution – the light and shadow brought about by bipedal walking.” In particular, Chairman Yamada’s speech touched on the “Future Medical Care and Community Enrichment Symposium” that was held in Kyoto and Tokyo in 2015, sponsored by MOA International and the MOA Health Science Center, and mentioned that many citizens attended lectures by Professor Andrew Weil, a world authority on integrative medicine, and others.
A lecture open to the public was also held. Director Midori Kawashima of the Kenwakai Bedside Nurse Research Institute gave a lecture entitled “Living Well and Joyous, experience of living to the age of 90.” Lower House Councilor Seiko Hashimoto, who is also the chairperson of the Liberal Democratic Party for the Promotion of Integrative Medicine gave a lecture, entitled “Made in Japan Integrative Medicine, from Cure to Care and Healthy Community Enrichment.” Many people attended and listened carefully to the lectures.
Organized by: Organizing Committee of the 27th Annual Meeting of The Society for Integrative Medicine Japan
〇A case of Type 2 Diabetes in which blood sugar control index was significantly improved by a carbohydrate-restricted diet based on the Okada Healthy Food Program (natural therapy)
Masuyo Toyoda (Dietitian, MOA International)
〇Healing in a clinic’s outpatient waiting room using a simple semi-immersive model VR
Yasuhiko Shiba (Director of MOA Nagoya Wellness Center)
〇Development of a comprehensive assessment system for mental and physical stress states and lifestyle
Seiya Uchida (Chief Researcher, MOA Health Science Center)
〇A case where Okada Purifying Therapy (Energy Healing) was useful for holistic care
Kenji Tomishima (Nurse at MOA Oku-Atami Wellness Center and Purifying Therapy Instructor)
〇Remote Support Meeting (RSM) works during the Spread of the COVID-19 virus pandemic
Hiroshi Katamura (Director of MOA Shin-Takanawa Clinic)
〇Work with community using “consultation sheets” at integrated medical facilities
Sawako Arima (Head Nurse, MOA Shin-Takanawa Clinic)
〇The effects of yoga using shoulder muscle hardness meter
Ai Katase (MOA International, Fitness Instructor)
(In order of presentation number, titles omitted)
