A Guide to Tools in Ancient Chinese Acupuncture
The practice of acupuncture goes back thousands of years to ancient China. This holistic healing technique is done by inserting needles into various parts of the body. The needles stimulate certain functions depending on where they are placed. Although this ancient Chinese method of healing has been practiced since B.C. times, it is still going strong today. Tools in ancient Chinese acupuncture included needles which were commonly crafted from bone. Today, these needles are made from metal and are disposable and sterile. They are extremely thin, solid and rounded to prevent discomfort upon insertion or during treatment.
Another widely used tool in the ancient days was the incredible text called the Nei Jing. Compiled between 200 and 300 B.C., this book is the first known textbook on the practice of acupuncture. The Nei Jing is divided into two separate parts. The first part is called the Su Wen and contains 81 chapters. These chapters cover things like anatomy, pathology, disease, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, the elements of yin and yang, and more. The second part of the Nei Jing is called the Ling Shu and also contains 81 chapters. This part is all about acupuncture and contains information about every aspect of the practice. Types of needles, insertion techniques, bodily stimulation points and more are covered in this section.
The needles are of course the main tool used in the practice of acupuncture, both in ancient times and today. As previously mentioned, they were once made from bone. They were also crafted from stone. After that, ancient Chinese practitioners made the needles from gold, silver and bronze. Many ancient and modern practitioners used other therapies and techniques in addition to acupuncture. The use of herbs as healing remedies were, and are, used for a variety of ailments. Sometimes, therapeutic massage such as reflexology or acupressure can be combined with acupuncture for the best results.
When you look at history, you see that tools in ancient Chinese acupuncture are basically the same as those used today. Of course, the needles used today are much thinner, more effective, disposable and sterile. Although modern science hasn’t really changed acupuncture that much, it has allowed for the modification and upgrade of the tools used. When you take an acupuncture course or go for a treatment, you will likely learn a lot more about this form of alternative medicine and its long history.
