Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical procedure which involves
the insertion and manipulation of needles in order to improve
a person’s health and well-being.
The first record of acupuncture is found in the 4,700-year-old
Chinese book Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor’s Classic
Of Internal Medicine). Acupuncture needles dating from over
4,000 years ago have been found in China. The first needles
were made of stone. Later bronze, gold, or silver were used.
Today needles are usually made of steel.
Acupuncture is based on the theory that there are special meridian
points on the body connected to the internal organs and that
vital energy flows along these meridian lines.
This energy force, known as Qi (pronounced chee), contains the
spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical aspects of life.
A person’s health is influenced by the flow of Qi in the
body and interruption of this flow will result in illness.
Inserting and twirling needles restores this energy back to
its normal flow. It is carried out at any of more than 360 points
on the body’s surface, sometimes in conjunction with electrical
stimulus.
In China, Japan, and the United States, acupuncture is applied
to relieve pain during surgery or in rheumatic conditions. However,
it is also used to treat many other illnesses such as, heart
disease, ulcers, hypertension, appendicitis, and asthma.
Scientific studies of acupuncture have shown that the technique
effectively relieves nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy
and surgical anesthesia as well as nausea during pregnancy and
pain after dental surgery.
Several Sri Lankan hotels offer acupuncture treatments along
with ayurveda. Though they may not claim to cure illnesses such
as heart disease or appendicitis, they use acupuncture to treat
minor illnesses such as body aches and pains. |
