Acupuncture History

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that dates back some 10,000 years. It is a technique used to stimulate trigger points in the body by the use of needles to help alleviate pain and treat various diseases.

Documents show that the practice began during the Stone-Age era, where sharp-edge stones and tools are used to puncture and treat abscesses. Then later, the technique evolved to using needles made from metals such as gold, silver, and bronze.

The philosophy of acupuncture is rooted from the teachings of Taoism. It promotes the balance of yin and yang by acquiring harmony between the human body and its surroundings. The first book that was compiled with a system of diagnoses and treatment about acupuncture is the Classic of

It became the standard treatment in China, along with the use of herbs, moxibustion or the use of heat therapy, diet, and massages.

Another significant milestone of acupuncture was during the Ming Dynasty where they formed the new basis of the treatment. Ming ordered to cast a bronze statue marking all the 365 pressure points, which was used for cross reference. They also published a book about the success of acupuncture and moxibustion technique, which was subsequently used by future dynasties. Aside from indicating the various pressure points, the book also contains precautions of the two techniques and what manipulation strategy is best used.

Acupuncture was popularized extensively when Sun Simiao, a renowned physician from the Tang Dynasty, compiled another book for the clinical experience of acupuncture. He produced a chart of three views, a multicolored chart of all the channels throughout the body. It was then that acupuncture was extensively accepted by the masses, and its use was widely spread. And eventually, the number of pressure points grew to 2,000 from

They held frequent seminars and lectures, and shared a great number of books to promote all Chinese Medicine.

Between the 500 A.D. and 700 A.D., China introduced acupuncture to Japan. They presented copies of books about acupuncture classics and importance of acupuncture points. Through this, the Japanese government passed a law in 702 A.D. to fully study acupuncture and use it as their source of medicine.

The spread reached Korea in 1092, where the exchange of physicians and techniques was very rampant. The science behind acupuncture was also disseminated through other countries, such as India in the early sixth century. And it was only during the 16th century, when Europe accepted the benefits of acupuncture.

However, interest for acupuncture declined during the 17th century as it was believed to be an irrational medicine. This brought about the introduction of western medicines, but the knowledge and practice remained in central