Author: Aldanova Aziza
Traditionally, acupuncture is embedded in natural theories that are compatible with Confucianism and Taoism. Ideas such as yin-yang, Qi, dampness, and wind represent East Asian concepts. Many doctors, who practice acupuncture, reject pre-scientific beliefs. Acupuncture is largely used in clinical practice and can be used as an additional treatment. Currently, Asian and European principles are applied in medical practice. The choice of the location of the needles is based on the circulation of vital qi, which in modern times is interpreted as stimulation of the nervous system’s activity in individual segments of human anatomy. To date, acupuncture is popular and clinically successful and it is a recognized method of therapy, which includes clear indications and contraindications.
It is generally accepted that acupuncture originated in ancient China. The word acupuncture with Latin translation consists of acus- needle and punctio - prick, which means reflexology by pricking with a needle. However, according to several reliable information, the early appearance of acupuncture was in Tibet, Nepal, and India. Moreover, acupuncture points are indicated in one of the museums in London, in the Egyptian papyrus (1550 BC). This therapy was widespread in China, which served as its name “Zhen-Chiu" therapy. Through trials and errors, the knowledge in acupuncture has increased and has been passed down from generations.
Acupuncture is a discipline that emerged from Chinese medicine, which includes massage, stretching, breathing exercises, the use of herbal medicines, and expelling demons and magic. An early source about acupuncture and moxibustion is Huangdi Neijing (The Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor or Esoteric Scripture of the Yellow Emperor), which was written in 221 BC by the Han Dynasty. Furthermore, 9 forms of metal needles the topography of 295 points (135 paired, 25 non-paired) are described. The book “Nan Ching” (“The classic of difficult issues”, I-II centuries BC, Han Dynasty) interprets the theory of points and channels, paying attention to the etiology and diagnosis of the disease. Also, the general reference book of acupuncture is “Chen-Chiu chia- I ching”, whose author is Huangfu Mi in 282, based on previous treatises and supplemented with moxibustion (cauterization, where the needles were heated over medicinal herbs). In the Ming era, Yang Chi Chou published “Zhen Jiu Da Cheng” (The Great Handbook of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) in 1601, where he combined classical terminology with forgotten practice. Thus, in the 17th century, therapy gained popularity in Europe, and in the 19th century it was translated into Latin, which generated great interest in European countries at the beginning of the 19th century, and in the USA in the 70s of the 20th century.
In the 20th century, George Sowley de Morte made a valuable contribution to the overwhelming popularity in the development of European acupuncture. The philosophy of acupuncture says that physical health must be in harmony with the mental, so that the body and mind are cleansed of evil intentions, complementing each other, like yin-yang. As mentioned above, the classical anatomy of acupuncture consists of energy channels that intersect with each other, and it is multi-layered, which helps to move energy from muscles through different channels. The energy pathways are divided into organs, which characterizes the areas of influence from physiological characteristics, for example, the kidneys are responsible for bones and bone marrow; the hair on the head for motivation and will; spleen for digestion, blood production, and other functions. The upper layer of the channel - the muscle, is responsible for the interaction of the body with the environment. Further, the main meridians (channels where Qi energy passes) flow through the muscles from the surface of the body deep to the organs, providing them with nutrition and energy, and promotes circulation throughout the body.
Accordingly, there is a network of energy channels, which consists of three bilateral symmetrical planes. The physiology of acupuncture consists of internal organs that move the modified energy absorbed by solid and liquid foods. Based on this, they are divided into yin organs that produce energy and yang organs that move internal energy. They interact with each other in a pair - yin-yang, forming symmetrical planes of energy movement.
Since the beginning of the 70s, modern medicine has been using acupuncture based on the activation of the endogenous using anesthesia. For this, two systems were adjusted, the first - an endorphin-dependent system, based on low-frequency electrical stimulation. And the monoamine-dependent system is a high-frequency, low-stress needle stimulation. The modern idea of acupuncture for practitioners provides several features, such as neuroanatomical and neurophysiological, so that knowledge of the neuro humoral system and neuropeptides (intercellular substances that transmit signals) are taken into account.
Acupuncture is not a mystic or a method of expelling a negative aura and evil spirits; it is a clinically proved therapy. It has explanations of anatomical and physiological features that contribute to improvement. This therapy is justified by scientific facts, thereby demonstrating the relationship between the organs in the body, since the human body is a single unit in which all trace elements circulate for vital activity among themselves.
30/05/2020
