| The history of acupuncture According to Chinese legend, acupuncture was discovered by pure chance. The popular explanation offered is the story of a warrior wounded by an arrow. When the arrow was removed, the wound healed, but the warrior observed that an organic disorder he had previously suffered from was also cured. So much for mythology. One thing is certain the history of acupuncture extends far back before the times of Christ. Stone and bone needles discovered in excavations indicate that acupuncture was already considered a tried and tested healing technique in 3000 B.C. Acupuncture is rooted in a traditional Chinese holistic concept of health and disease (also see Chinese diagnostics) and is tightly interwoven with the philosophy and culture of China. To understand the development of acupuncture over the centuries, it is necessary to consider it in connection with its intellectual-historical background, which can be broken down into three formative phases: The roots: shamanism and Taoism Main influences: Confucius’ teachings Modern times: rejection and rediscovery The roots: shamanism and Taoism The shaman cult developed in China around the time of the great wars (1200 to 200 B.C.). Disease and suffering were considered the work of demons and seen as inevitable. Nevertheless, fasting and cleansing rituals, breathing techniques, and ritualistic dance were taught as prophylactic measures. Furthermore, a large arsenal of medicines made of herbs, as well as of animal and mineral substances were available. The writings of the healer Sun Si-miao, dating back to 500 A.D., speak of thirteen demon-releasing points on the human body, which when stimulated with needles can heal diseases. He also mentions 32 medical substances against disease demons. In this time, Taoism, a new nature-based philosophical movement was also evolving. Founded by Lao Tzu in 500 B.C., Taoism regards changes in nature as an expression of the internal law of nature, referred to as Tao (pronounced "dow", which literally means "meaning", "path","course"). Tao generates a dynamic interplay between the polar opposites Yin and Yang Everything derives from this polarity field, even the life energy Chi . Tao and Chi are thus the origin of all life processes. Main influences: Confucius' teachings Kongzi, better known in the West as "Confucius" (551-479 B.C.), shaped China's intellectual history like no other individual. As a result of his influence, people began breaking away from shaman cult and demon belief and seeing the world more rationally. The time from 500-200 B.C. is referred to as the "golden age" of Chinese history today. In this era, acupuncture gradually grew to become part of science-based medicine. The Confucian philosophy differs from pre-Confucian thought in several ways. The most important difference is certainly the idea that although man is embedded in a network of natural forces, he can exercise a certain amount of influence on himself and his environment. Within this construct, Kongzi shows the way of correct conduct. Some philosophers believe Confucius' teachings mark the beginning of the liberation of humankind as they encourage man to take responsibility for himself for the first time. According to Confucius, the most important goal of human conduct is to ensure its harmony with nature and its forces, as well as with society. The life force, Chi, plays an important role in this context. At this time, the root of physiological functions and malfunctions begins to be explained through Chi instead of through magical forces and demons. Some Confucian schools of thought turn to the Doctrine of the Five Phases of Transformation, which is significantly older; others adhere to the Ying-Yang theory; still others yet embrace both. However, regardless of school of thought, they all emphasize the ultimate importance of a harmonic balance of forces. This balance is required for political and social peace, material well-being, family happiness and, finally, physical and mental health. The flow of life energy in the body can be influenced in a variety of ways, including through acupuncture (also see section on How acupuncture works). The entire science of Chinese medicine, and thus also the science of acupuncture, is based on "The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine," which is attributed to the said legendary emperor who ruled around 3000 B.C. However, in actuality the book was not written until sometime between 475 and 221 B.C. This work contains the first precise instructions on acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping and tongue and pulse diagnostics, as well as general information on medical diagnostics. Modern times: rejection and rediscovery Up until the 19th century, traditional Chinese medicine, and thus also the art of acupuncture, continued to develop as part of Chinese culture without any influence from the outside. The increasing presence of the West, unfortunately initiated by a military attack, had the first significant impact. After the British defeated the Empire of the Middle in the Opium War (1840-42), China, and soon all of Eastern Asia, was at the mercy of Western influences. This threatened to lead to a cultural uprooting. The 2000-year-old tradition of Chinese medicine seemed to have been suddenly destroyed - even the Chinese themselves began regarding their methods as superstition. In 1929, Chinese medicine was even banned by the country's political leadership. It wasn't until the 1960s, when Mao Tse-tung demanded a return to traditional values, that traditional Chinese medicine experienced a revival. In this time, even new forms of acupuncture, such as ear, head (scalp) and hand acupuncture were developed. Electroacupuncture and acupuncture anesthesia also originated then. In the Western hemisphere, more and more people began turning their attention to this healing art, which, far from being an occult pastime, had become a precise science (also see Acupuncture in Western medicine). Today, acupuncture is one of the main therapies used in Chinese medicine. Schooled in all Western techniques, Chinese medicine would hardly be able to finance and provide medical care to its population of 1.19 billion people without acupuncture. Apparently, we have a lot to learn from China.