Historical context of acupuncture
Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years and it’s used by many different health professions today. If you’ve ever wondered on the origins of acupuncture, you’re in the right place. Today we’re going to take a look at its history. Let’s dive in.
a BRIEF LOOK BACK AT THE HISTORY OF ACUPUNCTURE
There is archaeological evidence of acupuncture needles as far back as 1000 BC. Needling was one aspect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) which reached peak use in the 16th century AD.
Acupuncture (Yang) and moxa were used to expel evil air/dampness or heat. Herbs (Yin) were used as naturally balanced medicinal agents. Ill health developed when a collection of ‘evil air’ obstructed the flow of energy (chi) between Yin and Yang.
Traditional Chinese medicine went into decline from the 18th century but was revived in 1949 when Mao trained many doctors in it to improve the health of the poor. The late 1960’s saw a mixture of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine in most Chinese hospitals with acupuncture even being used for anaesthesia in some operations.
Richard Nixon’s (former US president) visit to China in the 1970s is credited with creating interest of traditional Chinese medicine in the West as his personal physician brought back tales of what he had witnessed.
Since that time Western medicine has sought a modern explanation of acupuncture’s undoubted benefits. Many theories have been put forward without a definitive answer. Trying to separate the use of acupuncture and belief in the non-physical meridian channels that chi flows in around the body many western practitioners call what they do ‘dry needling’ of muscle trigger points. However, from practical necessity, many such practitioners will also needle TCM meridian points because they have found they work!
At the clinic we mainly use acupuncture to quickly relax spasming muscle and also for some specific conditions like tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis. Acupuncture is one of most effective ways to deactivate trigger points and is a great accompaniment to chiropractic care.
Further reading:
Baldry P (1989) Acupuncture, Trigger points and Musculoskeletal Pain. Churchill Livingstone
Gascoigne S (1997) The Chinese way to health. Hodder & Stoughton
Rogans E (1997) Chinese Herbal Medicine
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