Acupuncture, as an important and unique part of traditional Chinese medicine, has played a major role in the health care of the Chinese people, occupying a significant place in the history of traditional Chinese medicine. This can be seen from the following three points

1. Acupuncture – One of the Earliest Healing Arts in China
Many primary sources show that acupuncture, perhaps together with moxibustion, emerged as one of the earliest healing methods in the history of Chinese medicine. It has been arguably a foremost therapeutic method ever since its development.

In the history of Western medicine certain legendary figures, in ancient Greece for example, have been cited as originators of the art of medicine. Similarly in ancient China, three legendary characters have been regarded as the founders of Chinese medicine. The earliest is Fu Xi, also called Bao Xi, a legendary tribe leader who was believed to have made many innovations, such as the production of nine kinds of needles The second is Shen Nong, the Divine Husbandry Man, who was said to have taught the art of husbandry, and discovered the curative virtues of herbs by tasting a hundred different varieties. The third is Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor, who was said to have discussed medicine, including acupuncture, with his ministers and who, like Fu Xi, was credited with having made nine kinds of needles

2. Acupuncture – An Indispensable Branch of Chinese Medicine
With the development of the Chinese culture and civilisation, from the time of the Spring-Autumn period (770-475BC) onwards, there appeared different schools of philosophical thought. It was during this period that the theories of Yin-Yang and Five Elements (Five Evolutive Phases) were applied to medicine. Owing to the progress of metallurgy during the period of the Warring States (475-221BC), more types of metal needles were developed that gradually replaced “Bian Stone”. That metal needles were widely used in acupuncture is strongly supported by archaeological findings. In 1968, for instance, nine acupuncture needles were unearthed from the tomb of Prince Liu Sheng of Zong Shan and his wife, of the Western Han Dynasty. They had been buried in the year 113BC, in Mancheng, He Bei Province, North China. Of the nine needles, five silver ones were damaged, but four made of gold are still in perfect condition.

3. Acupuncture – An Officially Recognised Special Branch of Chinese Medicine
From the 3rd Century AD onwards, acupuncture became a more specialised discipline in China with many outstanding specialists, and numerous valuable books devoted exclusively to acupuncture.

The first extant book devoted exclusively to acupuncture is the Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (A Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) compiled by Huangfu Mi (214-282) between 259 and 260. A native of Anding Chaona, now in Pingliang, Gansu Province in North-West China, Huangfu Mi was originally a literary man, who developed arthritis, and in an attempt to treat himself, began to study medicine, particularly acupuncture. As a result he became a well-known acupuncturist and compiled his book by summarising the accomplishments of his predecessors in association with his own clinical experiences.

From the 1970’s to the present, acupuncture continues to play an important role in China’s medical system. China has taken the lead in researching all aspects of acupuncture and its clinical effects.

Although acupuncture has become modernized, it will never lose its connection to a philosophy established thousands of years ago.