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Acupuncture has been used in China for between three and four thousand years to heal a variety of ailments. It began with the use of Bian stones, sharp pointed stones used to lance boils, and has evolved into a highly sophisticated science using specially made needles. Classic acupuncture is associated with the ‘nine needles’.

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This system used as early as the Second century B.C., employs nine needles; the arrowhead, round, blunt, three-edged, sword-like, sharp round, the filliform needle, the long needle and the large needle. These needles were traditionally made with of gold, silver and bronze. Today the majority of acupuncturists use stainless steel filliform needles.

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The term acupuncture was coined by a Dutch physician Willem Ten Rhyne who visited Japan in the 17th century. The Chinese term for acupuncture is Chen, meaning ‘to prick with a needle’. Ancient acupuncture was often used in combination with moxibustion. Moxibustion is the burning of Moxa, an herb, at the acupuncture points. It is thought to aid in the healing process. Some modern acupuncturists still use this technique to improve the effectiveness of the needles.

Acupuncturists believe disease is caused by blockages in the flow of energy through the body. They puncture the body at specific points to enhance energy flow through the natural channels of the body. For centuries knowledge of acupuncture was passed from father to son and from master to apprentice. Today acupuncture techniques are becoming codified in books and taught in the classroom. In 1026 AD Wang Wei-yi compiled an authoritative text called ‘Illustration Manual on the Points for Acupuncture And Moxibustion on the New Bronze Model’. It listed over 300 acupuncture points, use of the needles and how to interpret the results. Famed physician Yang Chi-Chou’s ‘Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion’ published in 1601 is still widely used today

During the 1950 there was a marriage of acupuncture and western science. This led to wider acceptance of acupuncture and great strides in its application. These include the use of acupuncture as an anesthesia and an anesthetic and the widespread use of ear, scalp and electro-acupuncture. In 1997 a National Institutes of Health (NIH) panel concluded: ‘There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture’s value to expand its use into conventional medicine.’

Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen: Nature, Knowledge, Imagery in an Ancient Chinese Medical Text

The combination of acupuncture’s ancient techniques and modern scientific tools promises to create an array of new healing modalities in the coming years that will greatly benefit human health.