ACUPUNCTURE:

HISTORY

Acupuncture is generally believed to have originated in

China, as the documentation describing acupuncture
came from there. Prehistorically, the tools that have been
used for acupuncture were sharpened stones and bones
that date from about 6000 BCE.

The first document that recognised and described an organized system of

diagnosis and treatment which we came to know as acupuncture is The
Yellow Emperors Classic of Internal Medicine, this appears to be recorded
100 BCE.
The information from The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine is
actually presented in the form of questions by the Emperor and learned
replies from his minister, Chhi-Po.
The document is likely to be a compilation of traditions handed down over
centuries , presented in terms of the prevailing Taoist philosophy, and is still
cited in support of particular therapeutic techniques. (Kaplan, 1997).
The concepts of channels which the Qi (vital energy or life force) flowed are
well established by this time, though the precise anatomical locations of
acupuncture points developed later.
ACUPUNCTURE
TIMELINE
 ACUPUNCTURE &
SUBSTANCE MISUSE

Acupuncture has proven to be a popular alternative therapy and

valuable to addiction services. Acupuncture may help relieve symptoms
of drug withdrawal by:
Normalising the release of dopamine in the mesolimbic system. This
reduces the over-stimulating effects of abused drugs and modifies
behaviours associated with addiction such as those around desire and
reward. Several brain neurotransmitter systems, for example serotonin,
opioid and GABA, are implicated in this (Lee 2009a,Yang 2008, Zhao
2006)
Reducing anxiety (Samuels 2008). Acupuncture can alter the brains
mood chemistry, reducing serotonin levels (Zhou 2008) and increasing
endorphins (Han 2004) and neuropeptide Y levels (Lee 2009b; Cheng
2009);
Regulating postsynaptic neuronal activity in the nucleus and the striatum
to reduce nicotine addiction (Chae 2004) and increasing corticotrophin-
releasing factor to attenuate anxiety-like behaviour following nicotine
withdrawal (Chae 2008);