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=== Chinese Origins === | === Chinese Origins === | ||
The Chinese were the true pioneers of acupuncture. Although other civilizations had similar healing techniques, the Chinese developed the technique and formed the basis of modern acupuncture. It finds its origins in the Taoist philosophy created over 8,000 years ago. The philosophy, which focuses on the flow of energy within and without and the relationship between man and the universe. Inspired by the Taoist mindset, Fu Hsi, a legendary Chinese man from the Yellow River area of China created "I-Ching" or "Book of Change." The book dramatically influenced both the philosophy of the people and the foundations of Chinese medicine and subsequently acupuncture. | The Chinese were the true pioneers of acupuncture. Although other civilizations had similar healing techniques, the Chinese developed the technique and formed the basis of modern acupuncture. It finds its origins in the Taoist philosophy created over 8,000 years ago. The philosophy, which focuses on the flow of energy within and without and the relationship between man and the universe. Inspired by the Taoist mindset, Fu Hsi, a legendary Chinese man from the Yellow River area of China created "I-Ching" or "Book of Change." The book dramatically influenced both the philosophy of the people and the foundations of Chinese medicine and subsequently acupuncture. | ||
Evidence of the Chinese use of acupuncture traces its origins to eras beyond historical documentation. China's primitive history can be divided into two time periods, the Old Stone Age (10,000+ years ago) and the New Stone Age (4,000-10,000 years ago). In the Old Stone Age, knives made of stone were used for medical procedures. During the New Stone Age, stones were also made into fine needles that served to treat disease. These needles, called bian stone needles, have been discovered in Chinese ruins from the New Stone Age.[http://www.acupuncturecare.com/acupunct.htm] Further evidence dates back to 1000 BC, during the Shang Dynasty. Excavations of ruins from this time revealed bronze needles, bian stone needles, and hieroglyphs displaying evidence of acupuncture and moxibustion, the burning of substances on the skin to treat diseases; moxibustion generally employs the same points used in acupuncture.[http://www.acupuncturecare.com/acupunct.htm][http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/moxibustion] | |||
The first official record of the practice of acupuncture can be found in the book "Nei Ching" or "The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine" that dates back to approximately 300 B.C. In the famous conversation, the emperor Huang Di and his physician Qi Bo discuss the Chinese Medical arts. The text of the conversation has since been declared the earliest book regarding Chinese medicine. The first part of the book, "Su Wen" or "Plain Questions," addresses human anatomy and physiology as well as the concepts of "Yin and Yang" and the "Five Elements." The second part of the book, "Ling Shu" or "Miraculous Pivot, Spiritual Axis" primarily addresses the practice of acupuncture. The book discusses the meridians of the body, the functions of the zang-fu organs, several different types of needles, the functions of the acupuncture points, techniques of using the needle, types of Qi (pronounced chi), and the location of 160 points on the body. | The first official record of the practice of acupuncture can be found in the book "Nei Ching" or "The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine" that dates back to approximately 300 B.C. In the famous conversation, the emperor Huang Di and his physician Qi Bo discuss the Chinese Medical arts. The text of the conversation has since been declared the earliest book regarding Chinese medicine. The first part of the book, "Su Wen" or "Plain Questions," addresses human anatomy and physiology as well as the concepts of "Yin and Yang" and the "Five Elements." The second part of the book, "Ling Shu" or "Miraculous Pivot, Spiritual Axis" primarily addresses the practice of acupuncture. The book discusses the meridians of the body, the functions of the zang-fu organs, several different types of needles, the functions of the acupuncture points, techniques of using the needle, types of Qi (pronounced chi), and the location of 160 points on the body. |
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