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History of AcupunctureRecorded in an ancient book entitled Nei Ching Su Wen or "Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine," the treatment began through coincidence. In China, the history of acupuncture can be traced back to ancient Chinese warriors who survived the misfortune of being struck by arrows in war. These warriors reported that although they were injured, their previous diseases and pain in other parts of the body had lessened in intensity and were even miraculously cured. In Other Parts of the WorldAlthough we usually think of China as the place where it all began, practices similar to acupuncture were used in other parts of the world as well.In the tropical rainforests of the Amazon, a tribe reportedly used blowpipes to insert tiny arrows into one part of the body to cure a malady in another. Many of their points coincided with those of the Chinese. Let us move on to the African Plains, where witch doctors pierced one part of a patient's body to treat another part of his anatomy. Anthropologists have also reported that inhabitants of the Arctic and Northern Tundra regions used sharp stones for similar purposes. No Laughing MatterIn the Western world, people may have laughed at this form of treatment. In the 1960s, acupuncture was considered a superstitious or shaman-like treatment rather than an alternative therapy. People's attitudes changed following an event that was well-publicized by a front-page story written by New York Times reporter, James Reston.In 1972, the reporter underwent an emergency appendectomy while in Peking. The operation was successful. However, he experienced considerable pain after the surgery. A Chinese acupuncturist was sent to help him. After inserting three needles into Reston's right elbow and one below each knee, some herbs were burned over his stomach. Reston reported that he experienced "noticeable relaxation of the pressure and distention within an hour and no recurrence of the problem thereafter." Following this, he toured major Chinese hospitals where he witnessed the use of acupuncture as anesthetic, including one performed on a man for the removal of brain tumor. He reported that only one needle was used -- in the patient's right shoulder while the patient talked to him via an interpreter. Reston said the patient was perfectly conscious and ate orange slices while his "skull was wide open." Reston told the Western world that the needles actually worked in easing his pain after the surgery. That front-page publicity created an enormous demand for acupuncture, much of it probably from patients who were fed up with orthodox treatment and hungry for an alternative. Acupuncture Brought to the WestWhen doctors realized that large numbers of patients were more willing to part with their money on acupuncture than on using regular treatments, they began to take the idea seriously and learn the technique. In the 17th century, acupuncture was brought to Europe to cater to public demand.Modern RecognitionThe World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture treatment for treating a wide range of illnesses. It is widely used in China during childbirth, dentistry and surgery. The treatment has been modernized and is currently seeing a revival. Apart from the traditional acupuncture procedure, herbs, ultrasound, laser beams and electric currents are being used during treatment to enhance the medical impact.Also Read:
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