Alpine Acupuncture Origin

It might be quite surprising to discover that maybe acupuncture originated in Europe and not China as we like to believe. Acupuncture appears to pre-date recorded history, according to archaeological finds. We assume the validity of the Asian origins due to the first document to record the practice: ‘The Nei Jing’, dating around 305 -204 BC. It is thought to be the earliest book to be written on Chinese medicine and the second part focuses purely on acupuncture.

In reality, this ancient art may well have been practised all over the world since time began. It appears the mummified European Stone Age man, discovered in the Alps on the borders of Austria and Italy in 1991, had certainly been treated for his ailments with some kind of acupuncture therapy over 5,000 years ago. Otzi The Ice Man, has 61 tattoo marks on his body in the form of lines and crosses made by rubbing charcoal in to incisions. They are in areas which may have caused him pain due to disease, injury or degeneration. The marks also strangely relate to certain acupuncture points suggesting their therapeutic nature. It is thought the marks indicate where the acupuncture needles were to be inserted.

This is all very interesting, containing assumptions and intelligent guess work. What is certain is the fact that acupuncture works and it has done for centuries. People continue to benefit form the therapeutic effects. The wonderful fact is, there are no side effects either apart from feeling relaxed and calm during and after a treatment.

Acupuncture is well documented and researched now. It is recommended as a valuable therapy by the NHS. The National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends acupuncture for the relief of low back pain (nice.org 2009) and headache and migraine (2012). There will be more to follow I am sure.

I’m also sure that Otzi The Ice Man would have recommended it too – he would have shouted it from the hill tops!