Acupuncture: Difference between revisions

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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]
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] Metal needles replaced bian stone needles during the Warren States Era (421-221 BC) and gold and silver needles were discovered in an ancient tomb dating back to 113 BC.


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. Furthermore, during the third century B.C., a man named Chang Chi wrote two famous medical books which he entitled "Various Kinds of Fevers" and "Golden Shrine." Later 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][http://www.acupuncturecare.com/acupunct.htm]
 
 
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][http://www.acupuncturecare.com/acupunct.htm]


=== Recognition by Western Medicine ===
=== Recognition by Western Medicine ===
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The most significant milestone in the history of Acupuncture occurred
during the period of Huang Di -The Yellow Emperor (2697-2597).
In a famous dialogue between Huang Di and his physician Qi Bo, they
they discuss the whole spectrum of the Chinese Medical Arts.
These conversations would later become the monumental text -
The Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperors Classic of Internal Medicine).
The Nei Jing is the earliest book written on Chinese Medicine.
It was compiled around 305-204 B.C. and consists of two parts:
1. The Su Wen(Plain Questions) -9 volumes - 81 chapters
The Su Wen introduces anatomy and physiology, etiology of disease,
pathology, diagnosis, differentiation of syndromes, prevention, yin-yang,
five elements, treatment, and man's relationship with nature and the cosmos.
2.: The Ling Shu (Miraculous Pivot,Spiritual Axis)- 81 Chapters
The Ling Shu's focus is Acupuncture, description of the meridians,
functions of the zang-fu organs, nine types of needles, functions of the
acupuncture points, needling techniques, types of Qi, location of 160 points.
Approximately 1000 BC, during the Shang Dynasty, hieroglyphs showed
evidence of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Bronze needles
were excavated from ruins, but the bian stones remained the main
form of needle.
During the Warren States Era(421-221 B.C.) metal needles replaced
the bian stones. Four gold needles and five silver needles were found
in an ancient tomb dating back to 113B.C. The Miraculous Pivot
names nine types of Acupuncture needles.The Historical Records
notes many physicians practicing Acupuncture during this time.
Another milestone for this period was the compilation of the Nan Jing
(Book of Difficult Questions).The Nan Jing discusses five element
theory, hara diagnosis, eight extra meridians, and other important topics.
From 260-265 A.D., the famous physician Huang Fu Mi, organized
all of the ancient literature into his classic text -Systematic Classics
of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. The text is twelve volumes and
describes 349 Acupuncture points.It is organized according to the
theory of: zang fu, Qi and blood, channels and colllaterals, acupuncture
points, and clinical application. This book is noted to be one of the
most influential text in the history of Chinese Medicine.
Acupuncture was very popular during the Jin, Northern,Southern,
Dynasties (265-581A.D.). For generations the Xu Xi family were
known as the experts in the art of Acupuncture.During this time period
important texts and charts enhanced knowledge and application.
Acupuncture experienced great development during the Sui (581-618)
and Tang (618-907) Dynasties.Upon request from the Tang
Government (627-649A.D.), the famous physician Zhen Quan revised
the important Acupuncture texts and charts. Another famous physician
of the time, Sun Simio, wrote  Prescription with a Thousand Gold for
Emergencies (650-692). This text includes data on Acupuncture from
various scholars. During this period Acupuncture became a special branch of
of medicine and practitioners were named Acupuncturists. Acupuncture
schools appeared, and Acupuncture education became part of the Imperial
Medical Bureau.
During the Song Dynasty (960-1279),the famous physician Wang Weiyi
wrote, The Illustrated Manual on Points for Acupuncture and
Moxibustion. This book included the description of 657 points.
He also casted two bronze statues on which meridians and points were
engraved for teaching purposes.
The Ming Dynasty (1568-1644) was the enlightening period for the
advancement of  Acupuncture. Many new developments included:
1. revision of the classic texts
2.Refinement of Acupuncture techniques and manipulation
3.Development of Moxa sticks for indirect treatment
4.Development of extra points outside the main meridians
5.The encyclopedic work of 120 volumes- Principle and Practice
of Medicine was written by the famous physician Wang Gendung
6.1601 - Yang Jizhou wrote Zhenjin Dacheng ( Principles of
Acupuncture and Moxibustion. This great treatise on Acupuncture
reinforced the principles of the Nei Jing and Nan Jing. This work
was the foundation of the teachings of G.Soulie de Morant who
introduced Acupuncture into Europe.
From the Qing Dynasty to the Opium Wars (1644-1840), herbal
medicine became the main tool of physicians and Acupuncture was
suppressed.
Following the Revolution of 1911, Western Medicine was introduced
and Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology were suppressed. Due to
the large population and need for medical care, Acupuncture and herbs
remained popular among the folk people, and the "barefoot doctor" emerged.
Acupuncture was used exclusively during the Long March (1934-35)
and despite harsh conditions it helped maintain the health of the army.
This led Mao Zedong,the leader of the Communist Party, to see that
Acupuncture remained an important element in China's medical system.
In 1950 Chairman Mao officially united Traditional Chinese Medicine with
Western Medicine, and  acupuncture became established in many hospitals.
In the same year Comrade Zhu De reinforced Traditional Chinese
Medicine with his book New Acupuncture.
In the late 1950's to the 1960's Acupuncture research continued
with - further study of the ancient texts, clinical effect on various diseases,
acupuncture anesthesia, and acupuncture's effect on the internal organs.
From the 1970's to the present, Acupuncture continues to play an
important role in China's medical system. China has taken the lead in
researching all aspects of acupuncture's application and clinical effects.
Although acupuncture has become modernized, it will never lose its
connection to a philosophy established thousands of years ago.[http://www.acupuncturecare.com/acupunct.htm]


Acupuncture and moxabustion have been used in the Far East to restore, promote, and maintain good health for over 5000 years. The first acupuncture needles were made from stone, and then later from bronze, gold and silver. The first known medical account of acupuncture was The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine (Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen), which dates from around 300 BC.
Acupuncture and moxabustion have been used in the Far East to restore, promote, and maintain good health for over 5000 years. The first acupuncture needles were made from stone, and then later from bronze, gold and silver. The first known medical account of acupuncture was The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine (Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen), which dates from around 300 BC.
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