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Definition:
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical technique involving the use of needles to manipulate
a person's ch'i
for the purpose of reestablishing balance between the opposing force of
yin and yang
in them. Evidence of the use of acupuncture goes back at least 4,000 years in China, although
the oldest surviving texts date only to round the 2nd century BCE.
History
Legend has it that acupuncture was introduced to the Chinese by Huang-ti, known
as the Yellow Emperor, who might have lived some time around the 28th century BCE.
According to popular myth, he brought the knowledge of things like bows & arrows,
writing, the calendar, and more - including a medical text called Nei Jing which is still
in use today. This book introduces the idea of ch'i and it's importance to a person's
mental and physical health.
How Does It Work?
The basic principle which lies behind the use of acupuncture is the belief that illness is
caused by a failure of a person's ch'i to move properly along internal "power lines,"
called meridians. Needles are inserted at specific points along these meridians in order to
release blockages and restore balance.
Placebo
Much of the reported efficacy of acupuncture can be attributed to the placebo effect.
When a person visits an acupuncturist, they are greeted by a person in a white coat who
seems to magically insert needles under the skin without pain. The walls are typically
filled with charts of the human body covered with various lines and Chinese symbols. All
of this - the setting, the demeanor of the acupuncturist, and the actions involved - will
quite naturally lead a person to the strong belief that what is occurring will help cure them.
As a consequence, that person is much more likely to get better, even if acupuncture is
meaningless.
Numerology
Often unrecognized is the importance of numerology as one of the fundamental principles
behind acupuncture. Numbers are believed to have magical meaning - and the most
magical is the number 5. In Chinese mythology there are five basic elements, each of
which corresponds to five parts of the body, five odors, five tissues, etc. Thus, basic
principles of numerology are used to regulate the practice of acupuncture
Acupuncture and Harm
Relatively unknown is the fact that it is possible for acupuncture to do harm. Patients
have had damage done to them when the needles have been inserted too close to vital organs
or nerves. In 1988, the Toronto Star reported that inadequately sterilized needles
could become vectors for transmitting AIDS or other infectious diseases.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
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