The roots of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture origins go back 3000 years in China. While acupuncture is the best-known branch of TCM in the West, TCM also has a long history of herbal remedies. In addition to acupuncture and herbal medicine, TCM includes Qigong, Taichi, and Tuina.
Foundational Acupuncture Texts
The Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Internal Classic) is the first written medical text on acupuncture. It comprises two volumes. The first, entitled Su Wen (Basic Questions), covers TCM’s diagnostic methods and theoretical foundation. The second, called Ling Shu (The Spiritual Pivot), explains acupuncture therapy, including a description of meridians, functions of the acupuncture points, needling techniques, types of Qi, and the location of 160 points.
Two other classic texts which discuss acupuncture origins in depth are Nan Jing (The Classic of Difficult Issues) and Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion). Huangfu Mi wrote the latter, adding another 189 acupuncture points to reach a total of 349. We still use these acupoints today in our clinic.
Deciphering The Roots of Chinese Medicine
Unlike Western medicine, which has a clear, distinct path traced back to the ancient Greeks, there is extensive undocumented evidence of acupuncture origins due to the loss of many valuable ancient texts. For example, the archaeological discovery of “bian shi” (a flattened and sharpened stone) from the era of the New Stone Age in China (8000–2000 BC) represents the ancient acupuncture needle for treating illnesses by pricking certain parts of the body.
Metal needles replaced stone needles during the Warring States period (475–221 BC). Then, in the 6th century, acupuncture spread to Korea and Japan. Later, during the 10th century, acupuncture arrived in Vietnam through commercial routes. Finally, the practice of acupuncture was brought to France by Jesuit missionaries in the 16th century. Wilhelm Ten Rhyne, a physician employed by the Dutch East India Company, wrote the first acupuncture description in the West in 1683.
Acupuncture’s Debut in America
Acupuncture has gained popularity in the USA thanks to the New York Times journalist James Reston. In his 1971 article, “Now, About My Operation in Peking,” he described his first-hand experience of acupuncture with an emergency appendectomy and post-operative care while on assignment to China covering the Nixon visit. The first graduate school dedicated to acupuncture, The New England School of Acupuncture, opened its doors the following year, in 1972.
Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture origins have a venerable history and consist of a wealth of experience and a profound source of knowledge. This ancient medicine has significantly contributed to the Chinese people’s overall welfare. TCM is also becoming well-known globally, playing a unique role in developing public healthcare.
TCM holds that internal disharmony between Yin and Yang causes pain and disease in the body. Qi, the essence of life, circulates within particular pathways called meridians, connecting all body parts, including the organs, vessels, ligaments, and tendons. Insufficient Qi and blocked meridians generate imbalances between Yin and Yang, disturbing the meridians, hindering the smooth flow of Qi, and leading to stagnation of Qi and blood. These imbalances are the root of all pain and illness.
Acupuncture Origins
Channel theory is one of the primary principles of acupuncture. There are 14 main channels (a.k.a. meridians), each consisting of a pathway running within the body and linking to an external path containing acupuncture points. Qi flows through these channels interconnecting with each other and the organs called the Zangfu. Stimulating an acupuncture point with a needle unblocks the meridians and promotes a smooth flow of Qi.
Several modern textbooks contain detailed lists and definitions of acupuncture points. For example, Deadman’s comprehensive text, A Manual of Acupuncture, imagines discovering and identifying acupuncture points.
Centuries of observation of the existence of tender spots on the body during the course of disease, and the alleviation of symptoms when they were stimulated by massage or heat, led to the gradual discovery of the acupuncture points.
Understanding the Meridians
This description sheds light on acupuncture’s origins. For example, compare the invisible meridians and acupuncture points to airline flight paths. They exist on a map but cannot be “seen.”
Over the years, investigators have carried out many studies to obtain concrete evidence supporting the existence of acupuncture points and the Qi-flowing meridians.
Acupuncture points and meridians are named to reflect the organs they affect. Chapter 12 in the Huang Di Nei Jing mentions anatomical dissections in ancient China. The imperial physician Qi Bo explains the fundamental structures of the human body to the emperor Huang Di. The physician says: “After someone has died, one can anatomically dissect his body and examine it (for medical investigation).”
Chapter 42 of Nanjing describes acupuncture origins and the internal organs’ length, diameter, weight, and capacity. Chapter 7 of Book 3 from Mi Huang-Fu’s Jia Yi Jing explains the measurement of bones and intestines and the volume of the stomach and intestines. Today, acupuncturists refer to the same organs that ancient TCM practitioners defined more than 2000 years ago in the Huang Di Nei Jing.
Acupuncture Point Locations
Acupuncture points exist at precise anatomical locations. For example, in TCM theory, the lung (LU) meridian is paired with the large intestine (LI) meridian. LU 7 is also the Luo-Connecting Point of the Lung Meridian. From LU 7, the meridian branches out and links to the large intestine meridian at LI 4, also known as Yuan-Source Point.
From an anatomical point of view, both points are located at the branch of the central cephalic vein, supplied by the radial nerve. This evidence supports the notion that acupuncture points and meridians correspond to anatomically defined positions in the human body.
Exploring this idea further at the molecular level, Zhang et al. studied the connection between the heart and stomach meridians in cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal disorders. They found that both conditions expressed sets of genes that are functionally related.
Rediscovering Acupuncture Origins in the Modern Lab
Researchers in Western medicine have rediscovered acupuncture points. For example, a study done by Kellgren in 1938 reported that intramuscular injection of sterile saline solution caused pain at locations distant from the injection site. Inspired by this study, Travell et al. realized that pressure applied to specific points (later defined as trigger points) relieved pain from shoulder and arm pain.
In addition, Travell and Simons published Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, the Trigger Point Manual, in 1983. When palpated, trigger points feel like small nodules within the muscle and can refer to pain distally. Dorsher did a study based on Travell and Simons’ texts and found that 93% of the common myofascial trigger points (238 out of 255) correspond to classical acupuncture points. Acupuncture origins have come full circle into the realm of modern medicine.
Acupuncture Today
Hundreds of thousands of Americans seek out acupuncture each year to help resolve health conditions that Western medicine either cannot treat or whose treatment has too many adverse side effects. At Raleigh Acupuncture, we like to say that acupuncture is the safest medicine on the planet. Over 90% of our patients experience some relief from their treatments. But rest assured, if acupuncture doesn’t help, it won’t worsen your condition.
The reason for this is simple. The needles don’t contain any medicine. Instead, acupuncture activates your body’s healing potential, stimulating your organs, blood, and Qi to heal itself. The vast majority of illness comes from minor imbalances. Restoring internal balance with acupuncture promotes natural, deep-rooted, long-lasting healing.
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