The Fascinating History of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical technique that has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of conditions. The modern theory and practice of acupuncture is believed to have originated in China and was first mentioned and recorded in documents dating a few hundred years before the Common Era.

Previous to China, there are records from around 6000 BCE of sharpened stones and long sharp bones being used instead of needles for acupuncture treatment. Ötzi the iceman, a spectacularly preserved mummy of a man who lived near the Alps about 5,300 years ago, consumed medicinal herbs and had tattoos that correspond to some well known acupuncture points2. The ancient society of the iceman most likely already had a considerable knowledge about medical treatment.

 

Modern (traditional) acupuncture is believed to have developed out of ancient Chinese philosophy’s dualistic cosmic theory of the yin and the yang, and its use was first recorded around 100 BCE in China, when The Inner Classic of Huang Di (Huangdi Neijing) was published. The book describes the use of acupuncture needles to treat a variety of conditions, including pain, fever, and digestive disorders. The Neijing is considered the authoritative source of acupuncture theory and practice, and it describes the concept of qi (life force), the meridians (energy channels), and the acupoints (specific locations on the body where needles can be inserted). Acupuncture was based on the philosophy of yin and yang, the opposite forces that govern the natural world and the human body. By balancing the yin and yang, acupuncture aimed to restore health and harmony1.

Acupuncture spread from China to Korea in the 6th century AD, then to Japan through medical missionaries, eventually reaching Vietnam and many other parts of Asia.  Its use was documented in France in 1810, and eventually branched out to other parts of Europe and America between the sixteenth to the nineteenth century.

As a medical system it was traditionally preserved by master-disciple relationships, with each generation contributing to an ever-growing body of knowledge, but now is taught in formal educational institutions.  To practice acupuncture today, one has to acquire a 4 year masters degree in the Science of Oriental Medicine.

Today, acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, migraines, anxiety, depression, autonomic nervous system disorders, stress and more. If you’re curious if acupuncture can help you, schedule an initial consultation.