History of Acupuncture

Warriors who fought with stones and arrows realized that when they got hurt on particular parts of the body, they got cured of certain diseases. Certain tribes of South Africa scratched their body parts, whereas Brazilian cannibals are known to shoot darts to the affected parts of their body to cure ailments. So, it is a fact that applying pressure on specific parts of the body to cure diseases, has been old knowledge for human beings. The Chinese refined this knowledge to evolve Acupuncture and Acupressure that have now become popular forms of holistic healing.

Background Information on Acupuncture
Though there is no conclusive evidence as to when and how acupuncture originated, it is believed that about 5000 years ago, the Chinese realized that rubbing stones against particular parts of the body alleviated pain. Treatise of Internal Medicine which is the oldest and most reliable book on acupuncture was written by the Father of Acupuncture Huang Di Nei Jing of China.

What is Acupuncture
Acupuncture, a form of alternative medicine, works on the concept that proper functioning of the human body is controlled by two opposite types of energy - the Yin and the Yang. Yin is the female energy that is dark, cold and passive. Yang is the male energy that is active, warm and light. These energies are believed to run through certain pathways called 'meridians' or acupuncture points. There are 350 acupuncture points in the human body. As long as the Yin and the Yang are in harmony, the body is healthy. A disruption in the balance of these two forms of energy leads to disease and sickness. Acupuncture aims at maintaining proper energy balance by stimulating these points. Though, traditionally, needles were used to stimulate these points, nowadays magnets, laser and electricity is used to achieve the same end. These are disposable and hypoallergenic needles that are maintained in highly sterile conditions. They are of different sizes for different parts of the body.

What is Acupressure
Like acupuncture, acupressure is also a form of holistic healing, which belongs to the traditional Chinese medicine and is based on the same principle of maintaining the balance of energy or the Chi in the body. Unlike acupuncture, where needles are inserted into the skin, in acupressure, pressure is applied to the meridian points or acupressure points.

Which Ailments Can be Treated by Acupuncture
Some of the ailments that can be cured by acupuncture are:

• Pain and headaches
• Allergies like hay fever and asthma
• Depression
• Paralysis after stroke
• Urinary problems
• Gynecological issues
• Smoking problem
• Obesity

Though the actual mechanism of how acupuncture works is still not clearly understood, various theories have been proposed to explain its effectiveness. According to the Neurotransmitter Theory, acupuncture works by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters like Serotonin and Noradrenaline, whereas some put forth the Circulatory System Theory, according to which the effects of acupuncture are brought about by the release of vasodilators that facilitate blood flow. The Endorphin Theory explains weight loss by acupuncture. As per this theory, acupuncture results in the release of endorphins in our body and has a calming and relaxing effect. Considering that stress and frustration lead people to overeating, acupuncture is supposed to use the calming effect to control binging in individuals, thereby facilitating weight loss.

Due to lack of anatomical or histological evidences for the existence of acupuncture points, acupuncture and acupressure still haven't been accepted as a scientific form of healing ailments by the medical fraternity. However, due to their effectiveness in curing ailments, these forms of traditional Chinese medicine are becoming popular all over the world.