Some Of The History Surrounding Acupuncture
Mar 10th, 2010 | By Contributor | Category: Pain Management
Acupuncture has existed in China for at least 2000 years that it has been recorded, but there is some proof that acupuncture existed 2000 to 8000 years prior to its recorded history. Its practices are rooted in Taoism, the religious and philosophical practices founded by Lao-tzu in the 6th century B.C. The acupuncture points are along life energy lines referred to as Qi meridians and fine needles are inserted into these points to relieve pain and promote well-being.
Acupuncture was an important part of Chinese medicine. The Yellow Emperor’s Internal Book of Medicine, written in 300-200 B.C., was the first time practices related to acupuncture were recorded in written language. There were two different books written that discussed things about the types of needles, and where the Qi meridians were located. Before this time, there were hieroglyphs found that portrayed practices similar to acupuncture.
Just as medicine evolves and changes through the years, the Chinese changed their acupuncture practices. Many different works were written regarding acupuncture over the years in China. It is believed that acupuncture first came about from the needles used to drain abscesses on the skin of diseased people.
It is said that acupuncture was first recognized in the West in the 16th century as a result of Portuguese missionaries who visited the East. Unfortunately, this was during the period of time that the Chinese were considering acupuncture a lost art and pseudoscience that was only practiced by those who were in lower classes or had no scientific or professional background. Despite this, a Dutch physician, Rhijne, wrote the first literature on acupuncture in Europe at this time.
When the Communist and Nationalist Civil War broke out in China, people were beginning to embrace more of the Western culture and therefore, Western medicine. It was during this time, the 1920’s through the 1940’s, when acupuncture began to see a rise in popularity as Chinese medicine was being promoted throughout the country. Also, this is when the practice began being explored in different European countries. Europeans were reading and translating the Chinese literature on acupuncture and finding out how the Chinese medicinal practice worked in conjunction with Western medicine.
Although the practice of acupuncture was becoming increasingly popular in Europe, and being married to the Western philosophy or medicine, it was not catching on in the United States. It wasn’t until the 1970’s that the practice was brought to the United States and began to become popular. With the modern rise of alternative medicine, acupuncture has become more and more popular with the people of the United States. It can even be covered by medical insurance these days.
In modern times, China is still a leader in acupuncture practices, but they have become more popular all over the world. In the U.S., there are now accredited schools where acupuncturists can attend and learn the history and medical practices of acupuncture. In the past forty years, acupuncture has made some important historical strides in the U.S. and around the world.
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