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Acupuncture and History

In China, accupuncture or acupuncture and history started with Chinese warriors who survived the misfortune of being struck by arrows in war. They reported that while they were impaled by these arrows, any of their prior diseases and pain in other parts of their bodies had lessened. Some warriors were even miraculously cured.

There are various anatomic points, called hsueh which are crossed by meridians close to the skin’s surface. Acupuncture involves stimulating these specific hsueh. The primary goal of acupuncture is the manipulation, by a Chinese medicine practitioner, of energy flow throughout the body.

Puncturing the skin with very fine needles is the usual method but practitioner may also use pressure (for example Tui Na), friction, suction, heat (called the cupping therapy) , or electromagnetic energy to stimulate points. The practitioner may also use herbal medicine.

Acupuncture and acupressure have significant result to relieve knee pain without surgery.

A World Health Organization, (WHO), interregional seminar on acupuncture, moxibustion and acupuncture anesthesia was held in Beijing (Peking) in June 1979. WHO lists more than 40 conditions for which acupuncture is considered as an appropriate therapy.

• Digestive Conditions: abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, hyperacidity and indigestion

• Emotional Conditions: anxiety, depression, insomnia, nervousness and neurosis

• Eye-Ear-Nose-Throat Conditions: cataracts, gingivitis, poor vision, tinnitus and toothache

• Gynecological Conditions: infertility, menopausal symptoms and premenstrual syndrome

• Musculoskeletal Conditions: arthritis, back pain, muscle cramping, muscle pain/weakness, neck pain, sciatica

• Neurological Conditions: headaches, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, Parkinson's disease, post-operative pain and stroke

• Respiratory Conditions: asthma, bronchitis, common cold, sinusitis, smoking cessation and tonsillitis

• Miscellaneous Conditions: addiction control, athletic performance, blood pressure regulation, chronic fatigue, immune system tonification and stress reduction

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