The story behind acupuncture
IN ancient China, long before the use of herbal medicine, acupuncture was regarded as a unique medical treatment. Acupuncture is still a valuable tool in traditional Chinese medicine today.
Its values are not only recognised by the Chinese community, but widely appreciated by other communities as well.
Moxibustion (heat therapy) is a form of acupuncture treatment. In winter, the ancient Chinese would keep themselves warm by sitting next to a fireplace.
During that time, some people accidentally burnt their own skin (epidermis), after which they found that some of their bodily discomfort slowly lessened.
According to a legend in the ancient Chinese literature, Records of the Grand Historian, acupuncture had existed and saved many lives a long time ago. The records mention that legendary physician Bian Que had long ago used acupuncture therapy to help patients who had been in coma-like states for a few days to regain consciousness.
Acupuncture treatment was also applied by another famous ancient Chinese doctor, Hua Tuo, to treat warlord Cao Cao, who suffered from chronic headaches.
Stones or stone needles were commonly used in ancient acupuncture treatment. Later, these were replaced by small bones.
When metal became widely used, iron, copper and silver needles were used in place of small bones for acupuncture therapy. Currently, Chinese medicine practitioners use stainless steel needles.
Acupuncture treatment used to be applied only to specific sites of pain. To improve the effects of treatment, it has now advanced to the extent that it combines acupoint meridian with physiotherapy.
Acupoint meridian is a concept in traditional Chinese medicine about a path through which the life energy known as qi flows.
The international medical profession is gradually starting to recognise and look highly upon the role of acupuncture treatment – the treasure of Chinese medicine.
In 1971, acupuncture therapy attracted the attention of the world when China announced the success of acupuncture in anaesthesia. This, in a way, helped in the globalisation of acupuncture therapy to benefit patients worldwide.
Some food for thought is that careful observation and a rich imagination are important to give rise to innovation or invention, and continued efforts to build upon the accumulated results of our predecessors are necessary for greater success in innovation and invention.
This article is adapted from a story in Short Stories on Discoveries, Inventions, Innovation & Creativity published by Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and Asean Academy of Engineering and Technology.