Acupuncture is an important component of the health care system of Eastern Asia, mainly China and Korea, and is gaining more international recognition for its effectiveness and minimal side effects.
Acupuncture system was developed in China at least 2500 years ago, however, it can be traced back even earlier in different areas of the world. In 1991, the scientific world was rocked by the discovery of Otzi, a 5,000-year-old mummified man found in the mountains along the border between Austria and Italy. One of the most remarkable discoveries was a complicated system of bluish-black tattoos running along Otzi’s back, right knee, and left ankle. The research team, led by Drs. Leopold Dorfer and Max Moser, overlaid the locations of the tattoos to topographical representations of acupuncture points. “The locations of the tattoos are similar to points used for specific disease states in the traditional Chinese and modern acupuncture treatment,” the scientists concluded.
Acupuncture theory explains that there are patterns of energy flow (Qi) through the body via channels (meridian), also called primo vessels or hyaluronic-acid rich ducts, that are essential for health. Qi, is not a mystical substance as we think. It is intelligent and communicable electricity and is the organizing force of the body. Without that organizing force, our approximately 30 to 40 trillion cells can’t form our body and cooperate with each other to develop and maintain the extremely complex and autonomous systems of ours. This organizing force travels through channels, which can be compared to connective tissue network in western medicine, to help cells stay connected and function properly. In the initial stage of our development, after embryo compaction, cells form a tighter network and more generic cells are created. They travel and start transforming into specific cells and working as whole by the collaborative mechanisms of Qi, channels, and Jing (our genetic blue print) . When we are exposed to toxic substances or various overwhelming stress above our threshold in amount and time, this fundamental system is disrupted and certain cells loose the ability to stay or work together. When the dysfunction persists, it can trigger individual’s genetic predisposition and epigenetic change and then diseases such as cancer can develop regardless of age.
Acupuncture can help to prevent and treat many conditions by stimulating Qi in acupuncture points (organizing and developmental centres) with acupuncture needles to strengthen our vital force and balance therefore often it can treat the symptoms and root cause together.
Recommended resources
The Spark in the Machine: How the Science of Acupuncture Explains the Mysteries of Western Medicine by Dr. Daniel Kewon
Eastern Body, Western Mind: Psychology and the Chakra System As a Path to the Self by Anodea Judith
The Cancer Code: A Revolutionary New Understanding of a Medical Mystery by Dr. Jason Fong
Evidence Based Acupuncture
https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org
Acupuncture Today