Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an important part of Chinese medicine. It was initially invented as a medical treatment technique and gradually became a science. The science of acupuncture aims to record its technique, clinic regulation, and basic theory.
Acupuncture has a long history. In ancient books, the tool for acupuncture was recorded as being made of stone. Such tool appeared between 4,000 to 8,000 years ago, which was the later part of the clan society, according to archeological excavation.
In the Spring and Autumn Period(770-446BC), medicine shifted away from sorcery and some doctors arose. In the book, Chun Qiu Zuo Shi Zhuan, Doctor Yi Huan mentioned about acupuncture and moxibustion(ancient form of heat therapy) when treating Duke Jing of a disease.
From the Warring States Periodto the Western Han Dynasty(475BC-24AD), there were more and more needles made of metal with the development of the iron-smelting technique at that time. Needles made of metal could reach the parts of the body which the needles made of stone could not, thus further improving acupuncture.
In the Eastern Han Dynastyand the Three Kingdoms Period(25-280), there appeared many doctors good at acupuncture. Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing, written by Huang Pu Mi, was the first book to discuss acupuncture systematically.
More and more books on acupuncture were written in the Jin and the Northern and Southern Dynasties(265-589), when acupuncture was introduced to Korea and Japan.
In the Sui and Tang period (581-907), acupuncture became a specialized subject. In the medical educational institutions, it was set up as a major.
In the 16th century, during the Ming Dynasty(1368-1644), acupuncture was introduced to Europe, yet it experienced a setback in the Qing Dynasty(1644-1911) when it was not highly regarded.
Acupuncture & moxibustion is a unique therapy of China. It is a kind of treatment curing inner diseases from outside, and is used to treat various illnesses based on the theories of channels and vital points with applications of specific techniques.
Based on the diagnosis and therapy of traditional Chinese medicine, the doctor can find out the pathogeny of illnesses, distinguish the features of diseases, determine which channel and viscera the pathological change belongs to, and identify which type the illness belongs to (inner or outer; cold or heat; insufficiency or excessiveness), and finally make the diagnosis. Then, the doctor can prescribe the corresponding acupuncture to prevent and cure the diseases by dredging channels, regulating vigor and sap, balancing Yin and Yang, and harmonizing the functions of the viscera.
Acupuncture & moxibustion iatrology was first described in the Yellow Emperor's Internal Canon of Medicine two thousand years ago. It has prevailed in China and other countries all over the world since then.
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