The History of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an important element of traditional Chinese medicine. It probably began to be used more than 2500 years ago, and its theory was already well developed at a very early time, as is shown in the Chinese classics Huang Di Nei Jing (~200 BC) and Nan Jing (~100-200 CE).

It was introduced to neighbouring countries in Asia in the 6th Century, being readily accepted, and by the early 16th Century it had reached Europe.

Over the past three decades acupuncture has spread worldwide, which has encouraged the further development of this therapy, particularly through studies from modern medical perspectives and research methodologies.

Theory of Acupuncture

The concept that the body is animated by energy is an old and persistent one. In Chinese medical theory the concept is that this energy (qi) circulates around the body along specific channels which have relationships and connections to the organs they share their names with.

Yin and Yang

The concept of yin and yang is often misunderstood and poorly translated. It is summed up in the symbol of the Taiji, translated as “supreme ultimate” or "“great polarity"” it represents all things, and is the same word as Tai Chi as in Tai Chi Chuan, the martial art and health exercise. Each property is interrelated, they are interdependent, mutually consuming and in opposition. Each contains a little of the other, the potential of their opposite if you will, existing in a state of dynamic equilibrium.

Something can only be considered either yin or yang in relation to something else. For example ice would be yin to water as it is less active, but could be considered yang compared with granite which is less ‘active' still, denser and harder.

The organs

The organs, are divided into 2 groups. The Zang are the yin organs and the fu are yang organs. Each Zang has a Paired Fu which it is connected to by the channels, and each organ also has a paired organ of the same type forming what is called the six divisions

The denser organs are yin and are seen to be nourishing and generating, the organs which are seen to process energy from our environment, food and air, whereas the yang organs have things pass through them, they do the processing (i.e. more active). Each organ is also associated with other levels of the body physiologically and energetically.

The Five Phases

Sometimes translated as five elements, wuxing is more correctly translated as five phases because they are like yin and yang, dynamic and interacting relationships. The character signifies movement and change. The reason it was translated as element is becuase of a jesuit missionary in China in the 17th century who saw a similarity with the ancient Greek idea of four elements. Each organ has a five phase correspondence and a relationship with each other organ according to two cycles, the sheng/ generating and ke/ controlling cycles.

These associations bring in another level of organ correspondences and another way of approaching diagnosis and treatment and are quite key to the understanding of pathological mechanisms according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Qi

The processes of the organs engender our life force (Qi) which flows through the body through a network of channels. We are conceived to have pre-natal Qi which we are born with and post natal Qi which we get from our environment through eating (via the Spleen and Stomach) and breathing (via the Lungs).

Channels arise from their respective organs and flow deeply, but then surface to form superficial pathways over the trunk and limbs. It is these parts of the channel on which we may affect the Qi with acupressure massage or needling.

Along the course of the channels there are places where the Qi is conceived to become more dynamic or plunge more deeply etc. Using the metaphor of a river, where it arises it is shallow diffuse and easily affected (fingers and toes), when it becomes a stream it has a specific course and is dynamic but is still easily altered (Wrists and ankles) and by the time it reaches the sea it is deep and powerful (Elbows and knees). This concept and the numerous possible eddies, falls and bends is a nice way of understanding acupoints.

The channels and points have various interconnections and groupings which are related to their functions and to how they affect the different organs, and there are many layers of meaning and understanding related to the actions of the points on different aspects of the organs.

Disease is seen to manifest because of a dysfunction in the organs energy or blockage in the channel. By needling a carefully considered choice of key acupoints we aim to harmonise the flow of Qi, removing blockages and fostering conditions whereby deficiency may be replenished and healing may occur.

Western interpretations

There are theories that the insertion of needles affect certain types of nerve fibres and through that mechanism stimulate or shut down areas of the limbic system. This modulates hormones and neurotransmitters and helps pain control or restoration of homeostasis (the state of dynamic physiological balance our bodies attempt to maintain).

There is also new work being done looking into the connective tissue network and fascia which connects and supports all tissues in the body suggesting that perhaps acupuncture relieves constrictions in this network which has reflex and possibly neurochemical effects at distant sites. some studies have shown a high anatomical correlation between fascial planes and intersections and acupuncture channels and points. See the work of Robert Schleip at the Fascia institute in Ulm and Helene Langevin at McGill university in Vermont.

A look at the histology of acupuncture point sites also finds some to be local to lymph nodes and neural junctions, thus possibly stimulating the immune system.

Essentially though there is not yet a satisfactory model for how acupuncture works according to western physiological theory though I believe we will come to an understanding some day.