THE HISTORY OF ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture has an amazing history that has made it the world's oldest contemporary medical system. "More people have been treated by acupuncture than by all other systems of medicine combined." (According to Dr. David Brestler, director of UCLA's Pain Center.)

The science and art of acupuncture is a 5000 year old healing method. It has a long history and development, and it was practiced in China 3000 years before Christ. The term itself was derived by the 15th century Jesuit Missionaries in China from the Latin words "acus" meaning needle and "puncture" meaning puncture. Acupuncture was developed by clinical research in acupuncture physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology. In other words, it is a coming together of modern international medical science with classical acupuncture medicine.

In March of 1996, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States of America approved acupuncture as a medical treatment method. Because of this great demand and scientific research, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) incorporated acupuncture into mainstream medicine in April, 1997. In July of 1997, Senate Bill 212 was signed into law, which indefinitely include acupuncturists in the definition of "physician" for the treatment of injured employees entitled to worker's compensation medical benefits. SB 212 will ensure that patients have the freedom to choose treatment from a healthcare provider that is most appropriate to their needs. In November, 1997, the American Health Counsel publicly claimed acupuncture to be good for the treatment of pains, nausea, asthma, and arthritis. Acupuncture has proven to be an effective treatment and a valuable medicine.