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Introduction to Acupuncture
The history of
acupuncture dates over 4000 years in ancient China. The emperor
Huang Di commanded his primary physician Qi Bo to cure his nation's
people by using natural forces. This treatment would consist of
acupuncture, exercise, massage, and incense. This is documented in
"The Medical Classic of the Yellow Emperor" in around 400 BC. It is
the earliest mention of acupuncture in medical history.
Acupuncture has
been used in the West for approximately 200 years. The first
recorded use by a non-Chinese doctor was in 1810 in Paris, France.
Since then, acupuncture has become more widespread and an accepted
form of treatment for a variety of ailments and problems.
The practice of
acupuncture was refined and developed throughout Chinese history
until the end of the Ching Dynasty in 1911. Western medicine became
favored and acupuncture was discouraged. However, since the
Communist Revolution in 1948, acupuncture has been revitalized and
is now in more use than ever in China.
Acupuncture is
one of the therapeutic techniques used in Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM) which has its own complete system of anatomy,
physiology, and diagnosis. The Chinese has viewed the human body as
a balance between two opposing forces, Yin and Yang. Yin represents
water or placidity, while Yang represents fire or activity. The
concept of health is thus described as a balance of Yin and Yang.
The Chinese doctors determine the current balance of Yin and Yang
and try to balance it. They use acupuncture needles at specific
points throughout the body to effect this change.
There are 14
channels in the human body and this is where the majority of the
acupuncture points are. Each of these channels represents an
internal organ. Qi (vital energy) is said to flow through these
channels. When the body is diseased, the flow of qi is altered.
Acupuncture needles inserted into the right point will correct the
body's flow of qi, which will then restore the body to normal
health.
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