About Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient practice that has been in use for over 3,000 years. The philosophy behind acupuncture is rooted in Taoism. The oldest needles found were made of stone, bone, and bamboo. Metal needles first came into use between 421-221 BCE.

The oldest text on Chinese medicine was the Nei Jing, which consists of two volumes: the Su Wen and the Ling Shu. Acupuncture is the focus of the Ling Shu, and it covers types of Qi, meridians, and points. The Ling Shu also discusses needling techniques and identifies nine types of needles. Another text that is influential in the practice of acupuncture is the 12 volume Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing.

The practice of acupuncture expanded and became a specialization between 581 and 649 CE. Schools started to appear, and acupuncture education was incorporated into the Imperial Medical Bureau for the first time during the Sui (581-618 CE) and Tang (618-907 CE) Dynasties. It was at this time that practitioners also started to be called “acupuncturists.”

The Illustrated Manual on Points for Acupuncture and Moxibustion was written by Wang Weiyi during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE). He also created what is known as the Bronze Man Statue which illustrates the location of 657 acupuncture points. The text and the statue were used together for acupuncture training. Acupuncture was introduced to Europe by George Soulie de Morant between 1901 and 1917. Acupuncture was re-embraced by the Chinese government in 1950 when Chairman Mao Zedong united Chinese medicine and Western medicine. The National Institute of Health documented the safety and efficacy of acupuncture for the first time in 1995.

Acupuncturists take a holistic approach, looking at each patient’s health and lifestyle. Since each person’s health and situation are different, approaches to treatment vary. As a natural treatment, acupuncture balances Qi and stimulates the body’s own healing processes. It may be used interchangeably with moxibustion, massage, cupping, and herbal treatments.

The benefits of acupuncture are many. It is most widely used for pain management and relief. It also can improve sleep, digestion, and a person’s overall sense of well being. Acupuncture also releases blockages within the body and can help to rebalance the body’s systems.

Conditions most commonly treated with acupuncture include all forms of pain, headaches, menstrual problems, reproductive issues in men and women, digestive and/or intestinal issues, post-operative recovery, depression and anxiety, allergies and hay fever, high or low blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, and stress.

Acupuncture is covered by many insurance policies, but patients should always check with their insurers and with their acupuncturist to make sure their treatments will be covered.