History of Acupuncture

The earliest knowledge of the existence of acupuncture is found during the Sui dynasty which existed between AD 561 to 618. During this time, the Imperial Medical College which is one of the earliest medical colleges of China was established.

Evidence shows that acupuncture and moxibustion was the basis of the curriculum. Herbal medicine was also part of the syllabus. The Imperial Medical College which was actually started to conduct researches and train doctors thus records the first mention of the practice of acupuncture.

Acupuncture is also mentioned and discussed in one of the most ancient Chinese Medical Text called the “Huang Di Nei Jing” which was in existence more than two thousand years ago.

With Asia becoming developed and a general improvement in transportation and communication, acupuncture as a part of Chinese Medicine spread in the 6th century to Japan.

With the advent of Buddhism, religious medicine became popular and acupuncture became a popular healing method.

The insertion method which is used by acupuncture practitioners all over the world, especially in Japan was first invented by Waichi Sugiyama in the 17th Century. This insertion tube is small and cylindrical and the needle is inserted through this.

The practice of acupuncture was very predominant in Japan even until the 19th Century. An acupuncturist was equal to the modern doctor and acupuncture was the primary health care procedure followed.

With the introduction of the Dutch and German medicine in the 19th Century, Western methods of treatment started gaining popularity and acupuncture had to take a back seat.

After having decreased in practice for a few decades, acupuncture is again gaining popularity as an effective alternate healing procedure. There are various institutes training efficient acupuncturists in the art of healing through Acupuncture.

Acupuncture today is used alongside modern medicine in a lot of health care systems all over the world. In America, especially North America, acupuncture has gained prominence as an effective pain management therapy in hospitals and health care clinics.

In fact, the acupuncture needles have been declared as safe and effective medical instruments by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the year 1995. Medical schools have started incorporating acupuncture training as a part of their curriculum.