Acupuncture: Difference between revisions

Acupuncture is a treatment that has been practiced for over 5,000 years. Although the treatment is commonly associated with Chinese traditional medicine, treatments similar to traditional acupuncture have been practiced in several different ancient civilizations. In the medical treatises called the Papyrus Ebera in 1550 B.C., the Egyptians discussed 12 meridians that were similar to those discussed by the Chinese. The Arabs cauterized their ears with extremely hot metal probes. The Eskimos employed sharp stones to perform simple acupuncture. Cannibals in Brazil shot tiny arrows using blow pipes to the diseased parts of their bodies. The primitive tools of these civilizations were eventually replaced by bamboo clips, fish bones, and metal needles. China was the foremost center for the development of acupuncture; there acupuncture truly flourished. In "Nei Ching" or "The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine" written in 300 B.C., the emperor addresses many medical topics including the importance of yin yang balance and the use of acupuncture. Furthermore the first known book of acupuncture, "Nei Ching Su Wen", dates back to 200 B.C. in China. Consisting of two parts, the Su Wen and Lin Shu, the book describes Chinese medical thinking that was geared to restore the disturbed balances and harmonies of the body. During the third century B.C., Chang Chi wrote two famous medical books which he entitled "Various Kinds of Fevers" and "Golden Shrine." In 700 A.D., 300 doctors were trained in acupuncture and massage at the first medical school in Salermo.[http://www.americanacupuncture.com/history.htm]

Streamlined versions of the metal needles used by these peoples have since become the main tool in modern acupuncture. The needles are as fine as hair. They are placed at specific points of the body to relieve pain with very little discomfort.[http://www.americanacupuncture.com/history.htm]

history .The philosophy is rooted in the Taoist tradition which goes