History of acupuncture

Although westerners often think of this traditional Chinese treatment modality as a "new" form of alternative medicine, acupuncture is so ancient in China that its origins are unclear. According to Huangfu Mi (c. 215-282 AD), author of The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, needling therapy was first used during China's Bronze Age, over five thousand years ago. He attributes its invention to either Fu Xi or Huang Di (the Yellow Emperor), two legendary figures of the Five Emperors Period (c. 3000-2070 BC). Modern scholars generally believe that acupuncture is much older, originating more than ten thousand years ago during China's Neolithic Age (c. 8000-3500 BC).

In actuality, acupuncture may not be as ancient as has generally been assumed. A reconsideration of all extant documents and recent archaeological finds indicates that acupuncture may date back a mere 2100 to 2300 years, first appearing during China's Warring States Period (475-221 BC) and rapidly maturing during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-24 AD).

Questioning the generally accepted origins theory.

The currently accepted theory concerning the Neolithic origins of acupuncture is based on two premises. The first holds that bian shi, specialized sharp-edged stone tools that appeared during China's Neolithic Age, were used for an early form of needling therapy, prior to the invention of metal smelting. It is known that bian shi stone tools were utilized for a number of early medical procedures, starting during the Neolithic Age and continuing through the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-24 AD). A number of descriptions of bian shi stone therapy appear in one of China's earliest medical works, The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic of Medicine (Huang Di Neijing, hereafter referred to as the Neijing) (c. 104-32 BC). It has been thought that these Neolithic stone medical instruments were precursors of the metal acupuncture needles that came into use during China's Iron Age.

At a Chinese medicine forum currently being held in Guangzhou, Vice Minister of Health, Wang Guoqiang, said acupuncture would apply for World Intangible Cultural Heritage status.

Acupuncture is the procedure of inserting and manipulating needles into various points on the body to release pain.

When asked about why acupuncture would push for the recognition, Wang explained that Chinese medicine as a whole would be too complicated to explain to panels, and might be hard to get official recognition.

Acupuncture, though only a part of the traditional Chinese medical system, is often seen and practiced in many countries. It integrates the principles and theories of traditional Chinese medicine, making it a perfect subject to be entered onto the World Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

The application has been submitted to the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization.

China is seeking to list acupuncture, the needle therapy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as a UNESCO world intangible cultural heritage, said a senior health official.

Wu Gang, deputy director of the State TCM administration, made the remarks on Monday at a press conference to promote TCM at the grassroots level in China.

"The country, in fact, filed the application last year and is now waiting for the result," he said.

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The status, once granted, will improve the awareness and popularity of acupuncture and TCM as a whole, across the world, said Shen Zhixiang, secretary-general of the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies based in Beijing. The status also would encourage the protection of the time-honored medical science, Shen said. There is a site about ancient herbal medicines like ashwagandha used for centuries and adhered in latest herbal clinics too.

China started the process of requesting the status in 2003, he said. "At that time, the country tried to list the entire package of TCM comprising both the medicines and techniques," he noted.