The History of Acupuncture针灸的历史

How Acupuncture has evolved over centuries？

数千年中，针灸是如何演变的？

Acupuncture is an ancient holistic healing technique practiced for thousands of years， and now Acupuncture in Brooklyn is loved by thousands of people. It originated in China and is a critical component of Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM）.

针灸是一门古老的整体疗法，传承已有数千年，如今在布鲁克林受到成千上万人的青睐。它起源于中国，是中医的重要组成部分。

In Acupuncture， fine， sterile needles are inserted at specific points on the body to correct energy imbalances and stimulate the body’s natural self-healing abilities. It is primarily used to treat chronic pain， fatigue， infertility， digestive issues， arthritis， anxiety， insomnia， and other conditions.

针灸疗法通过将消毒过的细针刺入人体特定穴位来调和能量失衡，激发人体与生俱来的自愈能力。该疗法主要用于治疗慢性疼痛、疲劳、不孕、消化问题、关节炎、焦虑、失眠等病症。

This article explores the origins of Acupuncture and its incredible journey， transforming over centuries to become a revered therapeutic practice worldwide.

本文追溯针灸的起源，探寻其非凡的发展历程——针灸历经数世纪的演变，已经成为一种在全球都备受尊崇的治疗手段。

Acupuncture’s beginnings in ancient China

针灸在古代中国的起源

Acupuncture’s early origins trace back to China around 100 BC. According to traditional Chinese medicine theories， Acupuncture was founded by Huang Di （the Yellow Emperor）.

针灸的早期起源可追溯至公元前100年左右的中国。根据中医理论，针灸由黄帝创立。

The Yellow Emperor allegedly invented the practice after observing arrows piercing the bodies of soldiers during battle. He noticed improved energy and vitality in the areas surrounding the arrow wounds. This inspired him to research techniques for unblocking energy channels through strategic needle placement.

据传，黄帝在战场上观察到刺入士兵身体的箭矢后发明了这一疗法。他注意到，箭伤周围局部人体的力量和生命力有所增强。这一现象启发他研究通过在关键穴位针刺来疏通经络的技法。

Acupuncture likely evolved over centuries， with many contributors who refined the practice. Archaeological evidence shows acupuncture needles made of stone and bones dating back to around 6000 BC. The earliest written record of Acupuncture is found in the Huangdi Neijing （Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon）， the revered foundational text of TCM published around 100 BC.

针灸可能历经数世纪的演变，历代医家不断完善这一疗法。考古证据显示，早在公元前6000年左右便存在石制与骨制的针灸工具。针灸最早的文字记载见于《黄帝内经》，这部备受尊崇的中医奠基之作在公元前100年左右问世。

Japan & Korean Acupuncture： The spread

针灸在日本和朝鲜的传播

Acupuncture diffused over the centuries from China to neighboring regions like Korea and Japan. It was the primary health system in these countries for centuries， along with herbal medicine and other healing modalities1.

针灸历经数世纪从中国传入朝鲜与日本等邻近地区。几个世纪里，针灸与草药等疗法共同构成了这些国家的主要医疗体系。

Japan adopted Acupuncture in the 6th century. By the 17th century， Acupuncture was taught at family-run accredited schools in Japan. Korea also fully embraced Acupuncture and featured it in their traditional medicine. Styles like Constitutional Korean Acupuncture are still practiced.

日本于6世纪引入针灸。至17世纪，日本家族经营的正规医校中开设针灸课程。朝鲜亦全面接纳针灸，并将其纳入传统医学。诸如朝医四象医学针刺法等流派仍在沿用。

Korea and Japan cultivated distinct acupuncture techniques and traditions alongside Chinese Acupuncture. For instance， smaller and thinner needles tend to be used in Japanese styles compared to Chinese Acupuncture.

朝鲜和日本在中国针灸的基础上形成了独特的针灸技术和传统。例如，相较于中国针灸，日本流派倾向于使用更细更小的针具。

Introduction to the Western world： Acupuncture in Brooklyn

传入西方世界：布鲁克林的针灸

For centuries， Acupuncture remained confined to Asian countries. It was virtually unknown in the West until the 17th century.

数世纪时间里，针灸始终局限于亚洲国家。直至17世纪前，针灸在西方几乎不为人知。

The first written accounts of Acupuncture by Westerners appeared when Dutch doctor Willem ten Rhijne published about the practice in 1683 after living in Japan. He was followed by Engelbert Kaempfer， another Dutch physician， whose book on Japanese Acupuncture was published posthumously in 1712.

荷兰医生威廉·滕·赖恩旅居日本后于1683年发表了关于针灸的文章，这是西方人对针灸的首次文字记载。紧随其后的是另一位荷兰医师恩格尔贝特·肯普弗，其关于日本针灸的遗作于1712年出版。

However， these early introductions to a skeptical Western audience needed to gain significant traction or persuade European doctors of Acupuncture’s merits. It remained obscured and poorly understood in the West for over two centuries.

然而，面对持怀疑态度的西方受众，这些早期介绍既未引发广泛关注，也未能让欧洲医生相信针灸的优点。此后两个多世纪，针灸在西方世界仍旧鲜为人知且不被理解。

French interest and influence in Acupuncture history

针灸史上法国的关注与影响

The 19th century it marked a turning point in Acupuncture’s popularity in the West.

19世纪是针灸在西方普及的转折点。

France， mainly， took great interest after French priest and physician Father J. A. F. Pouro hit upon Acupuncture while serving in China in the 1830s. Upon returning to France， he published extensive works about Chinese medicine that introduced Europe to Acupuncture for the first time.

19世纪30年代，法国神职人员兼医生J.A.F.普若神父在中国传教期间偶然接触针灸，这引起了法国对针灸的极大兴趣。普若神父返回法国后，发表了大量介绍中医的作品，让欧洲人初步了解了针灸。

Building on early French influence， Acupuncture slowly started gaining traction across Europe by the 20th century as more research appeared and its pain relief benefits became acknowledged. The 1930s saw the establishment of some early European Acupuncture therapy clinics catering to upper-class clientele in France and Switzerland. But Acupuncture was still generally viewed as a bizarre and suspect practice in the medical mainstream.