Origins of Acupuncture
Acupuncture originated as a healing modality in China over 4,000 years ago. It has endured all these years for its unique capacity to preserve and promote health and wellness. For me, an essential part of practicing East Asian Medicine is honoring its rich history and culture. This page is meant to give a little context on East Asian Medicine’s ancient Chinese roots.
Acupuncture falls under the umbrella of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and East Asian Medicine, which also includes treatment styles that evolved from TCM in other East Asian countries, like Japan and Korea. Herbal medicine, moxibustion therapy, guasha, cupping, Chinese dietetics, qigong, and taichi also fall under the TCM umbrella, creating a complete medical system that is broad and fierce enough to treat a wide range of pathologies.
The fundamental backbone of TCM theory is the concept of yin and yang, an ancient philosophical framework for the opposing forces in the natural world. While yin and yang are polar opposites, they also depend on one another and can transform into one another in a constant quest for balance. Some examples of this phenomena in action include day turning into night, where day is yang and night is yin, and the changing of the seasons, where summer is yang, fall is the transition of yang to yin, and winter is yin.
“Traditional Chinese medicine applies the yin-yang principles of interconnection and continuous transformation to the human body to explain its physiology and pathology and to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment” (Xinnong, C., 1999).
“Traditional Chinese medicine applies the yin-yang principles of interconnection and continuous transformation to the human body to explain its physiology and pathology and to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment”
(Xinnong, C., 1999).
The same is true with food in Chinese dietetics. In moxibustion, we burn the herb mugwort near the body to warm the channels and encourage the free flow of qi.
There are countless treatment styles and techniques that have been developed and passed down through families and communities for centuries. Each treatment is unique and specific, and an attempt to honor not only the tradition of the practices but their incredible potency in the modern world.
I feel deeply lucky to have studied with many wonderful teachers who have dedicated their lives to this work and have passed along invaluable knowledge. I’d like to thank them and the many who created, transcribed, guarded and passed down their wisdom. It is because of them that this medicine lives on.
Reference:
Xinnong, C. (1999) Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Revised Edition, p. 1-12
The meridian (channel) system we use today came from thousands of years of gathering knowledge through clinical practice and observing how the body responded to needle stimulation. The meridians act as energy pathways transporting “qi,” which is loosely translated as life force throughout the body and to vital organs. When there is a blockage preventing qi to move freely, stagnation occurs, which can lead to pathology.
All treatment modalities of TCM rely on the channel system. Acupuncture points located along the meridians act as energy reservoirs. Needles inserted into these points help to regulate blockages and restore the proper flow of energy in the body, therefore restoring balance and overall health. In herbal formulas, herbs are categorized by the channels and corresponding organs they influence.